FAQ ETH4D Research Challenges

• Travel and accommodation costs
• Material and equipment costs
• Salaries of staff or consultants in low- or middle- income countries hired specifically for this project
• Salaries of research assistants, postdocs and doctoral students in Switzerland
• Salaries for student assistants at ETH specifically hired for the ETH4D Research Challenge for a maximum of 6 months
  

Cash contribution: 

• Travel and accommodation costs
• Material and equipment costs
• Wages of student assistants at ETH Zurich hired specifically for the ETH4D Research Challenge for a maximum of 6 months
• Salaries of staff or consultants in low-​ or middle-​ income countries hired specifically for this project, such as translators
  
• Salaries of doctorate and post-doctorate researchers

In-​kind contribution:

• Salaries and time contribution of participating ETH doctoral students and research assistants (salaries of ETH professors and senior scientists do NOT count towards matching funds) 
• Overheads such as infrastructure costs do NOT count towards matching funds. 

The ETH4D Committee for Research Challenges evaluates submitted project proposals based on their quality, feasibility, relevance, applicability, team qualifications and diversity as well as own financial and in-kind contributions. You may find the list of Committee members here.

Yes, as the ETH4D RCG fund grants up to 200 kCHF. We aim to fund three to six ETH4D Research Challenge and Pilot Grant projects per year.

A limited amount of funding can be used for research in upper middle-income countries, if a justification is provided.

We fund projects lasting from 6 up to 18 months.

Yes, if you are a professor at ETH Zurich, you may apply and if you are awarded the grant, your research group will become a member of ETH4D.*

*Every ETH research group is invited to join the ETH4D initiative. 

The ETH4D Research Challenge Seminar typically takes place once a semester. Grant recipients are required to present their work during one seminar, and are invited to attend all seminars. 

ETH4D will open a PSP-element for the project, onto which all expenses can be booked. 

For the moment we do not provide match-making services. Please look at our list of members to find a relevant research group for your research question and approach them on your behalf.