CYD CAMPUS, EPFL AND ARMASUISSE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Cybersecurity and Cyber-Defence (CYD) Fellowships
full · masters, phd
- 3 fellowship levelsMaster, Doctoral, Postdoc
- ~€60,000-€90,000/yr (est.)Doctoral salaried package
- Up to 5 years (PhD)Max doctoral duration
- EPFL, ETH Zurich, ThunHost institutions
- All nationalitiesOpen globally
- Rolling Master callApply anytime (Master)
At a glance
full
Funding
€90k
Max amount
Aug 20, 2026
Deadline
Open to students and researchers of all nationalities
Country
CYD Campus, EPFL and armasuisse Science and Technology
Provider
The CYD Fellowships are run by the Cyber-Defence (CYD) Campus, hosted at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) and backed by armasuisse Science and Technology. They support research in cybersecurity and cyber-defence at top Swiss institutions including EPFL, ETH Zurich, and the CYD Campus in Thun, and are open to applicants of all nationalities. There are 3 fellowship levels for the 2026/2027 cycle. The CYD Master Thesis Fellowship runs for 6 months on a rolling call, providing a living allowance and research support. The CYD Doctoral Fellowship lasts up to 4 years (extendable by 1 year) and provides a full salary plus research and travel funding, with the salaried package valued at roughly 60,000 to 90,000 EUR (est.) per year. The CYD Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship runs up to 2 years and covers salary, project funds, and conference grants. Research areas include AI-driven security, blockchain for defence, quantum encryption, digital forensics, and critical-infrastructure protection. The doctoral and postdoctoral deadline in the recent cycle was 20 August at 17:00 CEST, with the equivalent 2026 date expected in August; the Master Thesis call is open year-round. Because allowances, salaries, and deadlines are set each cycle, confirm the current 2026/2027 figures and dates on the official CYD Campus page before you apply.
What's covered
- Master Thesis allowance — A living allowance and research support for the 6-month CYD Master Thesis Fellowship, available on a rolling basis to enrolled Master's students in Switzerland.
- Doctoral salary — A full salary for CYD Doctoral Fellows, with the salaried package estimated at roughly ~€60,000 to €90,000 (est.) per year over a duration of up to 4 years (extendable by one year).
- Doctoral research and travel funding — Dedicated research funding and travel support for doctoral fellows to attend conferences and conduct fieldwork.
- Postdoctoral salary and funds — Salary, project funds, and conference grants for CYD Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellows over a duration of up to 2 years.
- Research infrastructure — Access to research facilities and expert supervision across EPFL, ETH Zurich, and the CYD Campus in Thun, with combined doctoral support worth ~60,000 EUR (est.) per year or more.
How to apply
Applications are submitted through the CYD Fellowship online portal using the toolkit for the relevant fellowship level.
- Download the application toolkit — Obtain the toolkit for either the Master Thesis or the Doctoral/Postdoctoral programme from the CYD Campus website.
- Prepare required documents — Assemble academic transcripts, a CV, a supervisor confirmation, and a research proposal.
- Submit online — Upload your application through the CYD Fellowship submission portal.
- Meet the deadline — Submit by 20 August at 17:00 CEST for the Doctoral and Postdoctoral calls, or any time for the rolling Master Thesis call.
Eligibility
Master Thesis FellowshipOpen to enrolled Master's students at a Swiss institution; rolling deadline.
Doctoral FellowshipRequires a Master's degree and admission to a Swiss PhD programme.
Distinguished Postdoctoral FellowshipRequires a completed PhD with a strong publication record.
Research fitA research proposal aligned with cyber-defence goals and motivation to contribute to national and global digital security.
Master's and PhD applicants must be enrolled at, or intend to enrol at, a recognised Swiss institution such as EPFL or ETH Zurich.
Eligible countries
Open to students and researchers of all nationalities
Deadlines
2026/2027 PhD and Postdoctoral call~20 August 2026 (est.)
2026/2027 Master Thesis callRolling — apply anytime
Selection
Applications are assessed on academic record, the quality and relevance of the research proposal to cyber-defence priorities, and the candidate's potential to contribute to national and global digital security. Doctoral and postdoctoral candidates are reviewed against fixed annual deadlines, while Master Thesis Fellowships are considered on a rolling basis. Supervisor support at a host institution strengthens an application.
Verified sources
- CYD Campus — CYD Fellowshipscydcampus.chofficial
- EPFL — Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanneepfl.chofficial
About the provider
The Cyber-Defence (CYD) Campus is a Swiss government initiative under armasuisse Science and Technology, hosted at EPFL, that drives research and innovation in cybersecurity and cyber-defence across EPFL, ETH Zurich, and its base in Thun.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
Who can apply for the CYD Fellowships?
+
Students and researchers of all nationalities who are pursuing or planning to pursue a degree or research in cyber-defence at a Swiss institution.
Are the fellowships fully funded?
+
Yes. Depending on the level, they cover living expenses, salary, research costs, and travel grants. Confirm the current figures on the official CYD page.
How many fellowship levels are there?
+
Three: the Master Thesis Fellowship, the Doctoral Fellowship, and the Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship.
Can I choose any Swiss university?
+
You can work at top institutions such as EPFL, ETH Zurich, or other recognised Swiss higher-education institutions.
What is the doctoral salary?
+
Doctoral Fellows receive a full salary plus research and travel funding, with the package estimated at roughly 60,000 to 90,000 EUR (est.) per year.
How long do the fellowships last?
+
Six months for the Master Thesis, up to 4 years (extendable by one) for the Doctoral, and up to 2 years for the Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship.
When is the application deadline?
+
The PhD and Postdoc deadline was 20 August at 17:00 CEST; the 2026 equivalent is expected in August. The Master Thesis call is rolling.
What is the CYD Campus?
+
The Cyber-Defence Campus is a Swiss government initiative focused on cyber-threat assessment and innovation, based in Thun.
What research areas are supported?
+
AI-driven security, blockchain for defence, quantum encryption, digital forensics, and critical-infrastructure protection, among others.
What documents do I need?
+
Academic transcripts, a CV, a supervisor confirmation, and a research proposal.
Can I apply for the Master Thesis Fellowship at any time?
+
Yes. The Master Thesis Fellowship runs on a rolling call, so you can apply year-round.
Who funds the fellowships?
+
They are backed by armasuisse Science and Technology and hosted via the CYD Campus at EPFL.