CYBER-DEFENCE CAMPUS (ARMASUISSE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY)
CYD Doctoral Fellowships
full · phd
- ~CHF 50,000-90,000/yr salary (€60k-85k est.)Doctoral salary
- ~CHF 3,000/year research budgetResearch expenses
- ~CHF 5,000/year conferencesConference funding
- Up to 4 years fundingDuration
- All nationalities, no age limitEligibility
- Salary + social securityFunding type
At a glance
full
Funding
€85k
Max amount
Aug 20, 2026
Deadline
All countries (international applicants)
Country
Cyber-Defence Campus (armasuisse Science and Technology)
Provider
The CYD Doctoral Fellowships are a Swiss national initiative run by the Cyber-Defence (CYD) Campus, part of armasuisse Science and Technology, to strengthen digital-security research; the programme has been hosted with Swiss higher-education institutions including the Universita della Svizzera italiana. For the 2026 round it offers fully funded PhD positions for up to 4 years to researchers in cyber defence, artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, cybersecurity, cryptography, computational and data science and engineering, systems security, and security technologies. Selected fellows conduct doctoral research at a Swiss university under a Swiss professor while collaborating with CYD experts in applied projects and laboratories. Rather than a flat stipend, fellows receive a full salary and social-security coverage at the host institution's standard rates (a Swiss doctoral salary is roughly CHF 50,000 to 90,000 gross per year, about €60,000 to €85,000 (est.)), plus CHF 3,000 per year for research expenses and CHF 5,000 per year for conference participation. Eligibility is open to all nationalities; applicants must be enrolled or plan to enrol in a PhD at a Swiss university and have a confirmed endorsement from a supervising Swiss professor, with early-stage candidates preferred and no age limit. The selection runs in two stages, a pre-application followed by a full proposal. Because salary rates, the number of places, and the closing dates are set each cycle, confirm the current 2026/2027 figures and deadline on the official CYD Campus page before you apply.
What's covered
- Full salary and social security — A full salary with social-security coverage at the host institution's standard rates, roughly CHF 50,000 to 90,000 gross per year (about €60,000 to €85,000 (est.)).
- Research expenses budget — CHF 3,000 per year (about €3,100 (est.)) towards research-related costs.
- Conference funding — CHF 5,000 per year (about €5,200 (est.)) for participation in international conferences.
- Mentorship and collaboration — Mentorship and collaboration with Swiss professors and CYD cyber-defence experts on applied projects.
- Research infrastructure — Access to research infrastructure in Switzerland and the chance to contribute to national cybersecurity initiatives.
How to apply
Applications follow a two-stage process: a short pre-application, then a full proposal for shortlisted candidates.
- Secure a supervisor — Obtain a confirmed endorsement from a Swiss professor at a recognised Swiss university who will supervise your PhD.
- Submit the Stage 1 pre-application — Submit your CV, a motivation letter, and a brief research proposal by the Stage 1 deadline around 20 August 2026 (17:00 CEST) (est.).
- Attend the interview — If shortlisted, take part in an interview with CYD experts during the shortlisting stage.
- Submit the Stage 2 full proposal — Submit a detailed research proposal, budget, and endorsement letters by the Stage 2 deadline around 1 October 2026 (17:00 CEST) (est.).
- Await the final results — Wait for the final selection results, communicated around the end of November 2026.
Eligibility
NationalityOpen to applicants of all nationalities; there is no nationality restriction and no age limit.
EnrolmentMust be enrolled, or plan to enrol, in a PhD programme at a Swiss university.
Supervisor endorsementMust have a confirmed endorsement from a Swiss professor who will supervise the doctorate.
PhD stage and fieldAll PhD stages are eligible, though early-stage applicants are preferred, and the research must fall within the listed cyber-defence and data-science fields.
You do not need to secure separate university admission before applying, but you must have a Swiss professor's endorsement. The university must be officially recognised and you must have a confirmed supervisor.
Eligible countries
All countries (international applicants)
Deadlines
2026/2027 cycle (Stage 1)~20 August 2026 (est.)
2026/2027 cycle (Stage 2)~1 October 2026 (est.)
Selection
Selection runs in two stages. In Stage 1, CYD reviews the CV, motivation letter, and brief research proposal; shortlisted candidates are then interviewed by CYD experts. In Stage 2, finalists submit a detailed research proposal, budget, and endorsement letters, and the strongest applications are chosen, with results announced around the end of November. A clear research plan, strong motivation, and a confirmed Swiss professor's endorsement are central to a strong application; early-stage PhD candidates are preferred.
Verified sources
- Cyber-Defence Campus (CYD)cydcampus.admin.chofficial
- CYD Campus - CYD Fellowshipscydcampus.admin.chofficial
About the provider
The Cyber-Defence (CYD) Campus is part of armasuisse Science and Technology, the Swiss Federal Department of Defence's technology centre. It connects the Swiss Armed Forces, academia, and industry to anticipate cyber-security developments, and runs the CYD Doctoral Fellowships to fund PhD research in cyber defence, artificial intelligence, data science, and related security fields.
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 is eligible to apply for the CYD Doctoral Fellowships?
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Applicants of all nationalities who are enrolled, or plan to enrol, in a PhD at a Swiss university with the endorsement of a supervising Swiss professor.
What does the fellowship provide?
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A full salary with social security (roughly CHF 50,000 to 90,000 gross per year, about €60,000 to €85,000 (est.)), plus CHF 3,000 per year for research expenses and CHF 5,000 per year for conferences.
How long is the fellowship?
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It funds the PhD for up to 4 years.
Is it a stipend or a salary?
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It is a full salary with social-security coverage at the host institution's standard rates, not just a stipend.
What research fields are eligible?
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Cyber defence, artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, cybersecurity, cryptography, computational and data science and engineering, systems security, and security technologies.
Can students already enrolled in a PhD apply?
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Yes, but priority is given to candidates in the early stages of their PhD or who have not yet started.
Do I need university admission before applying?
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No, but you must have a confirmed endorsement from a Swiss professor who will supervise your PhD.
Is there an age limit?
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No; there is no age restriction for applicants.
Can I choose any Swiss university?
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Yes, as long as the institution is officially recognised and you have a confirmed supervisor there.
How does the application process work?
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In two stages: a Stage 1 pre-application (CV, motivation letter, brief proposal), then a Stage 2 full proposal for shortlisted candidates after an interview.
When are the deadlines?
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Stage 1 falls around 20 August 2026 and Stage 2 around 1 October 2026 (both est.); confirm exact dates and times officially.
Where can I verify the latest details?
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On the official Cyber-Defence Campus (CYD) pages linked in the sources section.