Scholarships & Grants

Finding an ETH supervisor to apply for ETH4D programmes

Please note: The ETH4D Doctoral Mentorship Programme, Student Project Fellowship, and ETH4D Doctoral Scholarship require a a host/supervisor at ETH at the time of application. Students are responsible for securing a suitable host/supervisor before applying to any of these programs together with the ETH host/supervisor. This page provides advice for contacting potential supervisors via email, but the decision about whether to host depends on the discretion and availability of the professor.

ETH4D Doctoral Scholarship Programme

The ETH4D doctoral scholarships promotes doctoral research for the benefit of underprivileged people in low-​income countries. Find out more about the scholarship.

Who can apply? Applicants should be citizens of least-developed, low-, and lower-middle-income countries according to current external page DAC-list of ODA recipients. Applications from least-developed and lower-income countries will be prioritized. The ETH4D Doctoral Scholarship requires a host/supervisor at ETH at the time of application, who provides a support letter for the application. Students are responsible for securing a suitable host/supervisor before applying. This page provides advice for contacting potential supervisors via email, but the decision about whether to host depends on the discretion and availability of the professor.

ETH4D Doctoral and Pre-Doctoral Mentorship Grants

The mentorship entails remote support of doctoral and master students in least developed, low- and lower-middle-income countries as well as a research stay of 1-3 months at ETH Zurich. Find more information on the Mentorship Programme here. 

Who can apply? Eligible mentees are doctoral candidates and master’s students who are registered at a university or research institute in any country listed in the current external page DAC-list of ODA recipients, except from upper-middle-income countries. The ETH4D Doctoral and Pre-Doctoral Mentorship Programme requires a host/supervisor at ETH at the time of application, who provides a support letter for the application. Students are responsible for securing a suitable host/supervisor before applying. This page provides advice for contacting potential supervisors via email, but the decision about whether to host depends on the discretion and availability of the professor.

Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme

The Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP)  supports Master's students with a scholarship, mentorship and a network of the ETH Foundation. The scholarship covers the full study and living costs during the Master’s degree course. Find out more about ESOP.

Who can apply? Students with a very good result in Bachelor’s degree programme (top 10% of Bachelor’s degree programme = grade A). If you are already enrolled in a Master's degree programme at ETH Zurich or hold a Master degree, you are not eligible for these scholarships.

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Sudents

The Swiss Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS) awards scholarships for postgraduate studies to foreign students with a university degree. Find more information on FCS here.

Who can apply? Foreign researchers with a Master's degree

ETH4D Research to Action Grants

The ETH4D Research to Action Grants aim to bridge the gap between academic research and practice. The grants support students and researchers to discuss their work with practitioners and ensure that results are being used, implemented and disseminated. Find out more about the Research to Action Grants.

Who can apply?: ETH BA, MA and Doctoral Students, Postdoctoral Researchers (up to 5k CHF), Senior Scientists and Professors (up to 20k CHF)