EPFL CYD Fellowship 2027: Fully Funded Opportunity to Advance Cyber-Defence Research in Switzerland

The EPFL CYD Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027 offers researchers a funded opportunity to undertake up to two years of cyber-defence research in Switzerland, with salary support, research funding and conference funding. Learn about eligibility, research areas, application stages and the February 2027 deadline.

The EPFL CYD Fellowship 2027 is a competitive research opportunity for postdoctoral researchers seeking to advance work in cyber-defence, cybersecurity, data science, artificial intelligence, privacy and digital trust in Switzerland.

Officially known as the CYD Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship, the programme provides a salary contribution together with dedicated research and conference funding for up to two years. Fellows conduct their projects at the CYD Campus under the supervision of a professor at a Swiss higher education institution.

The programme is designed for researchers whose work can contribute meaningfully to Swiss cyber-defence while advancing research in security and data science. According to EPFL, candidates from all nationalities may apply, and there are no age restrictions.

The 15th call opens on 3 December 2026, with the Stage 1 application deadline set for 25 February 2027 at 17:00 CET.

The CYD Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship supports postdoctoral researchers working on cross-cutting problems related to cyber-defence.

The fellowship enables successful researchers to spend up to two years developing a research project at the CYD Campus, working under the supervision of a professor employed at a Swiss higher education institution.

The initiative places particular emphasis on research that connects cybersecurity with data science and other emerging technologies. EPFL states that successful projects should have the potential to influence research fields such as security and data science while making a significant contribution to Swiss cyber-defence.

This makes the programme particularly relevant to researchers working at the intersection of cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, information systems, privacy, cyber-physical systems and advanced data analysis.

EPFL CYD Fellowship 2027 Benefits

The fellowship provides financial support for eligible costs associated with the research appointment.

According to EPFL, the funding package includes:

Salary Support

A salary contribution, including applicable social security benefits, is provided according to the salary scale associated with the fellow’s position at the host institution.

This is the principal component of the fellowship and supports the researcher during the funded postdoctoral appointment.

Research Funding

Fellows may receive up to CHF 3,000 per year for eligible research costs.

The research allowance is intended for specific equipment required for the project. EPFL specifies that it is not intended for general IT equipment.

Conference Funding

The programme can provide up to CHF 5,000 per year toward eligible conference costs.

This can support participation in conferences relevant to the fellow’s research and facilitate engagement with the broader international research community.

Fellowship Duration

The CYD Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship can support a research project for up to two years.

What Research Areas Are Supported?

The fellowship is aimed at researchers addressing important cyber-defence questions through interdisciplinary approaches.

EPFL highlights several areas of particular interest.

Cyber and Cyber-Physical Systems

Projects may address the protection of the confidentiality, integrity and availability of cyber and cyber-physical systems.

This area is relevant to researchers studying the security and resilience of interconnected digital and physical infrastructure.

Information Sharing and Data Fusion

The programme also supports research involving information sharing, data fusion and crowdsourcing.

Such approaches can be important when cybersecurity decisions depend on combining information from multiple systems or sources.

Data Science and Artificial Intelligence

Another major focus is the application of data science and AI methods to analyse cyber- and technology-related data.

This makes the fellowship relevant to postdoctoral researchers working on areas such as machine learning, anomaly detection, intelligent threat analysis and data-driven cybersecurity research.

Security, Privacy and Digital Trust

Applicants can also develop research in security, privacy and digital trust technologies.

These areas encompass a broad range of challenges associated with protecting information, systems and digital interactions.

EPFL also provides a list of prioritized research topics through the call guidelines, which prospective applicants should review before developing a proposal.

Who Is Eligible for the EPFL CYD Fellowship?

The programme is specifically intended for researchers at the postdoctoral level.

According to EPFL, applicants must meet several conditions.

Nationality

Candidates of any nationality may apply.

The programme therefore has an international scope and is not restricted to Swiss citizens or residents.

Academic and Research Status

Applicants must be suitable for a postdoctoral research appointment and must be able to carry out the proposed research under the programme’s requirements.

Swiss Academic Supervisor

Applicants must obtain the endorsement of a professor employed at a Swiss higher education institution who is willing to supervise the candidate when the Stage 2 application is submitted.

This is an important part of the application strategy because prospective applicants need to identify an appropriate Swiss academic environment for their project.

Different Research Laboratory

Applicants are eligible only when the postdoctoral research funded through the fellowship will take place in a different laboratory from the laboratory where they completed their doctoral research and, where applicable, their current postdoctoral research.

No Age Limit

EPFL states that there are no age restrictions for this fellowship.

What Must the Research Proposal Demonstrate?

A competitive proposal needs to do more than address a cybersecurity topic.

EPFL requires applicants to demonstrate that the proposed project:

can significantly influence research in security and data science;
can make a significant contribution to Swiss cyber-defence; and
brings together researchers from the CYD Campus and at least one Swiss higher education institution in a collaborative effort.

Applicants should therefore pay close attention to the relationship between their research question, the relevant scientific fields and the potential contribution to cyber-defence.

A technically interesting project may not be sufficient unless its relevance to the programme’s mission is clearly established.

EPFL CYD Fellowship 2027 Application Timeline

The 15th call for applications follows a two-stage selection process.

Stage 1

The call opens on:

3 December 2026

Applicants must submit their Stage 1 application by:

25 February 2027 at 17:00 CET

At this stage, applications are evaluated by an internal CYD Campus committee chaired by the Director of the CYD Campus.

The assessment considers the applicant’s fit with the CYD Campus and the fit of the proposed pre-proposal with the objectives of the fellowship.

Stage 2

Applicants shortlisted after Stage 1 may be assigned a prospective CYD Campus mentor.

The prospective mentor interviews the applicant and determines whether they are willing to endorse the applicant for the next stage.

Only candidates endorsed by the prospective mentor proceed to Stage 2.

Shortlisted candidates then submit a full research proposal according to the Stage 2 requirements.

The final decision is made by a committee chaired by the Director of the CYD Campus and including representatives from the CYD Campus and Swiss higher education institutions.

Documents Required for the Application

EPFL requires applications to be submitted online and states that all documents must be in English.

Applicants should consult the official call guidelines and application toolkit before preparing their submission.

The programme’s currently available documents relate to the 14th call. EPFL notes that updated documents for the 15th call will be released when the call opens on 3 December 2026.

Prospective applicants should therefore avoid relying exclusively on older templates when the new call becomes available.

How to Apply for the EPFL CYD Fellowship 2027

The application process can be approached in several practical stages.

Step 1: Study the Call Guidelines

Review the programme guidelines carefully and identify the research themes and requirements relevant to your proposed project.

Step 2: Identify a Suitable Swiss Professor

Because the fellowship requires the endorsement of a professor at a Swiss higher education institution at Stage 2, researchers should identify potential academic collaborators whose expertise matches the project.

Step 3: Develop the Research Concept

Build a clear research concept showing the scientific problem, methodology, expected contribution and relevance to cyber-defence.

Step 4: Prepare the Application Documents

Prepare the required materials in English using the official templates provided for the 15th call.

Step 5: Submit Stage 1

Applications should be submitted through EPFL’s online submission platform before the stated deadline.

Step 6: Prepare for the Interview and Stage 2

Shortlisted researchers may be interviewed by a prospective CYD Campus mentor. Candidates who receive an endorsement can then proceed to the full research proposal stage.

Why the EPFL CYD Fellowship Is Highly Competitive

EPFL explicitly describes the programme as highly competitive, with excellence being a primary evaluation criterion.

Academic records and professional accomplishments are therefore particularly important. EPFL also notes that candidates are expected to have excellent academic transcripts.

Beyond academic performance, applicants need to demonstrate a strong fit between their research and the CYD Campus mission.

A strong application should make it easy for reviewers to understand:

What is the cybersecurity problem?

Why is it scientifically important?

What is innovative about the proposed approach?

How will the work contribute to cyber-defence?

Why is the Swiss research environment particularly appropriate for the project?

Who Should Consider Applying?

The EPFL CYD Fellowship may be particularly suitable for postdoctoral researchers working in areas such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, privacy, digital trust, secure systems and cyber-physical systems.

Researchers interested in interdisciplinary projects may also find the programme attractive because collaboration between the CYD Campus and Swiss higher education institutions is an explicit component of the fellowship.

However, applicants should remember that this is a postdoctoral research fellowship, rather than an undergraduate, master’s or doctoral admission programme.

Key Facts at a Glance

Category	Details
Fellowship	CYD Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship
Institution	EPFL / CYD Campus
Location	Switzerland
Level	Postdoctoral research
Duration	Up to 2 years
Eligible nationalities	All nationalities
Age restriction	None
Salary	Provided through salary contribution
Research allowance	Up to CHF 3,000 per year
Conference allowance	Up to CHF 5,000 per year
Application language	English
15th call opens	3 December 2026
Stage 1 deadline	25 February 2027, 17:00 CET
Application method	Online submission platform

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the EPFL CYD Fellowship fully funded?

The fellowship provides a salary contribution and dedicated research and conference funding for eligible costs. EPFL does not describe it simply as a conventional tuition scholarship; it is a funded postdoctoral research fellowship.

Can international researchers apply?

Yes. EPFL states that citizens of any nationality may apply.

Is there an age limit?

No. EPFL states that there are no age restrictions.

Do I need a Swiss supervisor?

A professor employed at a Swiss higher education institution must be willing to supervise the applicant at Stage 2 and provide the required endorsement.

Can I apply while working in the same laboratory where I completed my PhD?

The funded postdoctoral research must be conducted in a different laboratory from the one where the applicant completed their doctoral research and, where applicable, their current postdoctoral work.

When does the 2027 application open?

The 15th call opens on 3 December 2026.

What is the deadline?

The Stage 1 deadline is 25 February 2027 at 17:00 CET.

Are the application documents already available?

EPFL says the documents currently available relate to the 14th call. Updated materials for the 15th call are expected when the new call opens on 3 December 2026.

Conclusion

The EPFL CYD Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027 offers an important opportunity for researchers seeking to advance high-level work in cyber-defence and related areas in Switzerland.

Its combination of salary support, research funding and conference funding can provide researchers with the resources and academic environment needed to develop ambitious projects. The programme is particularly suited to candidates whose work combines security, data science, AI, privacy, digital trust or cyber-physical systems and can demonstrate clear relevance to Swiss cyber-defence.

Because selection is highly competitive, prospective applicants should begin preparing early, particularly by identifying an appropriate Swiss professor and developing a research concept that fits the CYD Campus mission.

The 15th call opens on 3 December 2026, while Stage 1 applications are due by 25 February 2027 at 17:00 CET. Applicants should consult the updated official guidelines when the new call opens before submitting their application.

Official institution: EPFL – École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne
Programme: CYD Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship
Research focus: Cyber-defence, cybersecurity, AI, data science, privacy and digital trust
Location: Switzerland
Level: Postdoctoral
Duration: Up to two years
Opening date: 3 December 2026
Stage 1 deadline: 25 February 2027, 17:00 CET
Application portal: EPFL online submission platform

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