The Branco Weiss Fellowship 2027 offers outstanding postdoctoral researchers up to CHF600,000 over five years to pursue original, independent research beyond mainstream disciplines. Explore the eligibility requirements and funding details.
Background & Fellowship Description
The Branco Weiss Fellowship 2027, associated with ETH Zurich, supports outstanding postdoctoral researchers who want to pursue original research that challenges conventional approaches within their disciplines.
The fellowship is designed for courageous researchers with innovative ideas, a strong record of scientific achievement and an interest in engaging with broader social, cultural, political or economic issues.
Successful fellows can receive up to CHF600,000 over five years to support legitimate research costs, including salary, equipment, travel, consumables and personnel.
Research projects are expected to move beyond mainstream research directions and demonstrate originality. The fellowship aims to give researchers the opportunity to develop ambitious projects with the potential to create new perspectives and contribute to wider intellectual discussions.
Fellowship Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Fellowship | Branco Weiss Fellowship 2027 |
| Research level | Postdoctoral |
| Duration | Up to five years |
| Maximum funding | CHF600,000 |
| Research location | Research project arrangements are not fully specified in the supplied information; fellows must attend an annual symposium in the Greater Zurich Area |
| Eligible applicants | Researchers who meet the stated PhD and other eligibility requirements |
| PhD eligibility date | PhD must be officially held by 15 January 2027 |
| Application deadline | Not specified in the supplied information |
| Official website | Branco Weiss Fellowship |
| Application information | Eligibility, Duration and Funding |
Research Focus and Fellowship Benefits
The Branco Weiss Fellowship supports projects that depart from mainstream research within their respective disciplines. Applicants are expected to demonstrate scientific excellence, originality and a willingness to engage with issues beyond their immediate research field.
Funding and Eligible Research Costs
The fellowship provides a maximum of CHF600,000 over five years. According to the programme guidelines, the funding may cover legitimate research expenses, including:
- Researcher salary.
- Equipment and research materials.
- Travel expenses.
- Consumables.
- Personnel costs.
The award is intended to support the development and implementation of a research project rather than provide funding for conventional research that could also be supported by other scientific organisations.
Five-Year Research Structure
The fellowship is organised into two phases.
Pioneer phase: The first two and a half years focus on developing and advancing the research project. Before the end of the second year, a site visit and review will assess the project’s originality and the fellow’s productivity.
Exploitation phase: If the evaluation and site visit are satisfactory, the fellow progresses into the remaining two and a half years of the fellowship.
Fellows are encouraged to seek faculty positions during the exploitation phase. According to the programme guidelines, they may begin a faculty position or professorship after the first year without automatically terminating the fellowship.
Qualifications and Eligibility
Applicants for the 2027 intake must meet the following requirements:
- PhD qualification: Hold an officially awarded PhD by 15 January 2027. Applicants must have successfully passed their PhD defence before this date.
- PhD completion period: The PhD must have been obtained no more than five years before 15 January 2027.
- Academic position: Applicants must not hold or have previously held a faculty-equivalent position, such as an assistant professorship or lectureship.
- Original research: The proposed project must depart from mainstream research in the applicant’s discipline.
- Scientific achievement: Applicants must demonstrate an outstanding record of scientific achievement.
- Interdisciplinary engagement: The proposal must show a willingness to engage in dialogue about relevant social, cultural, political or economic issues beyond the boundaries of the applicant’s discipline.
- Participation: Applicants must be willing and able to travel to the Greater Zurich Area and attend the annual symposium in person.
- Mentor support: The chosen mentor must not be supporting another candidate during the same application round.
Extensions for Career Interruptions
The fellowship guidelines recognise only certain reasons for extending the five-year PhD eligibility period: parental leave and periods when the applicant was unable to work because of illness or accident.
Only full-time leave is considered. The applicant must email official confirmation of the leave to brancoweissfellowship@ethz.ch before submitting an application. Extensions are calculated according to the number of weeks of interrupted research, up to a maximum of one year in total.
Applicants who have applied previously and were not selected are permitted to apply again.
Additional Information
Prospective applicants should review the fellowship guidelines carefully, particularly the requirements concerning the PhD award date, previous academic appointments, research originality and mentor eligibility.
The supplied eligibility page does not state the final application deadline. Candidates should consult the official application and timelines pages for the relevant dates and submission instructions.
How to apply: Begin with the official Branco Weiss Fellowship website. Review the eligibility and funding guidelines and visit the programme’s application page for application requirements.
Applicants should also contact the fellowship team at brancoweissfellowship@ethz.ch regarding questions about eligibility extensions or supporting documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Branco Weiss Fellowship 2027?
It is a postdoctoral fellowship supporting outstanding researchers who propose original projects that move beyond mainstream research within their disciplines.
2. How much funding does the fellowship provide?
The fellowship provides up to CHF600,000 over five years. The funding can cover legitimate research costs, including salary, equipment, travel, consumables and personnel.
3. Who is eligible to apply?
Applicants must hold a PhD by 15 January 2027, have obtained it within the preceding five years, and meet the programme’s requirements concerning previous academic positions, research originality and scientific achievement.
4. Can researchers who already hold faculty positions apply?
Applicants who hold or have previously held a faculty-equivalent position, such as an assistant professor or lecturer, are not eligible under the stated rules.
5. What type of research does the fellowship support?
The fellowship prioritises original projects that depart from mainstream research directions and demonstrate a willingness to engage with broader social, cultural, political or economic issues.
6. How long does the fellowship last?
Research projects should be designed to last five years, divided into a two-and-a-half-year pioneer phase and a further two-and-a-half-year exploitation phase, subject to satisfactory review.
7. Can applicants receive an extension for parental leave or illness?
Yes. Eligible periods of full-time parental leave or inability to work due to illness or accident may extend the PhD eligibility period by the duration of the interruption, up to a maximum of one year. Official confirmation must be submitted before the application.
8. Is the annual symposium compulsory?
Applicants must confirm that they are willing and able to travel to the Greater Zurich Area and attend the annual symposium in person.
9. What is the application deadline?
The deadline is not stated in the supplied eligibility and funding page. Applicants should check the official application and timelines information for the relevant dates.
10. Can previous unsuccessful applicants apply again?
Yes. The fellowship guidelines state that applicants who were not selected in a previous round are welcome to apply again.
Opportunities Feed Assessment
The Branco Weiss Fellowship 2027 may be particularly relevant to exceptional postdoctoral researchers developing ambitious, unconventional research projects. Its funding of up to CHF600,000 over five years offers substantial support for research development, while the strict eligibility rules make it important to verify PhD timing, academic employment history, mentor arrangements and project originality before applying.
Disclaimer: Opportunities Feed shares fellowships and research funding opportunities for informational purposes. It is not affiliated with the Branco Weiss Fellowship or ETH Zurich and does not administer the award. Applicants should confirm all eligibility criteria, deadlines and funding conditions through the official programme website.
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