The Branco Weiss Fellowship Society in Science, administered through ETH Zurich in Switzerland, is now accepting applications for its 2026 postdoctoral fellowship intake. This prestigious research fellowship supports early-career scientists with bold, original research ideas that go beyond conventional boundaries. It invites outstanding postdoctoral researchers from around the world to pursue independent, high-impact research at the institution of their choice anywhere globally.
The program offers substantial financial support and academic freedom, making it ideal for researchers looking to define their own research direction and expand their impact across disciplines and communities.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Fellowship Name | Branco Weiss Fellowship Society in Science |
| Host Administering Institution | ETH Zurich, Switzerland |
| Application Deadline | January 15, 2026 (5 p.m. CET) |
| Project Duration | Up to 5 years |
| Funding Amount | Up to CHF 600,000 total (flexible research budget) |
| Research Scope | All scientific fields (natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, humanities) |
| Eligibility Window | PhD completed no more than five years before Jan 15, 2026 |
| Commencement | Between October 1 and December 31, 2026 |
About the Fellowship
The Branco Weiss Fellowship is a highly competitive, fully funded postdoctoral research award designed to give early-career researchers the resources, independence, and intellectual community needed to develop unconventional and transformative projects. Fellows receive a personalized research budget and are free to conduct their work at the best academic environment that aligns with their project’s needs, anywhere in the world.
The fellowship also emphasizes communication beyond academic disciplines, encouraging recipients to engage with broader societal, cultural, economic, or political dimensions of their research. Up to ten fellowships are awarded in each cycle, and the program has a global reputation for supporting innovative science across fields.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Branco Weiss Fellowship 2026 intake, applicants must meet all of the following:
Also Read
- PhD or equivalent doctorate has been awarded or successfully defended by January 15, 2026.
- The PhD degree was conferred no more than five years before the application deadline.
- Applicants must not hold a permanent academic position such as a tenured professorship or equivalent.
- Proposed research must be original, independent, and extend beyond mainstream approaches in the candidate’s field.
- A host institution must agree to support the fellowship, providing workspace and integration into an active research environment.
- Candidates of any nationality and discipline are eligible, with no age restrictions.
Funding and Research Structure
The Branco Weiss Fellowship provides a maximum of CHF 600,000 over up to five years to support all legitimate research costs, offering a flexible budget that can cover the fellow’s salary, personnel, equipment, travel, consumables, and other justified research expenses.
The fellowship period is typically structured into two phases:
- A pioneer phase (first 2.5 years), focused on driving initial research innovation.
- An exploitation phase (remaining 2.5 years), entered after a progress review and site visit, supporting deeper development and broader impact.
Fellows may also begin a faculty position during the fellowship period without losing support, which allows integration of long-term research goals with career advancement.
Application Requirements
Applications must be submitted electronically in English via the official ETH Zurich/Branco Weiss online portal by January 15, 2026 (5 p.m. CET).
Applicants should prepare the following PDF documents (with specific naming conventions):
- Motivation Letter (1 page) explaining the unconventional nature and potential impact of the research.
- Research Proposal (up to 5 pages) including abstract, timeline, milestones, and references.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) with a list of publications (max 4 pages).
- Invitation Letter from Host Institution confirming support and integration into the research group.
- Best Publications (copies of three peer-reviewed articles or book chapters).
- Reviewer Suggestions (names of five independent reviewers unrelated to the applicant).
- PhD Certificate or proof of successful doctoral examination.
All documents must adhere to the file size requirements specified in the application guidelines.
Selection Process
The fellowship selection follows a multi-stage evaluation: initial screening by the Directorate and faculty reviewers, external peer review for scientific rigor, and interviews with shortlisted candidates to assess project strength, innovation, and host fit. Invitations for interviews are typically sent in May 2026, with interviews held in June 2026 in Zurich, Switzerland. Final fellows commence research between October 1 and December 31, 2026.
Why Apply?
The Branco Weiss Fellowship offers unparalleled support for early-career researchers who want to push the boundaries of conventional science, pursue independent research visions, and make a broad scholarly and societal impact. It provides the freedom to choose research environments worldwide, a generous funding package, and access to an international network of exceptional scientists.