Deadline: 19-Aug-2026
The CYD Doctoral Fellowships support doctoral researchers conducting cutting-edge research in cyber-defence, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and data science at the CYD Campus in Switzerland. The fellowship provides salary funding, research support, and conference funding for up to four years, helping PhD candidates advance innovative research that strengthens cyber resilience, digital trust, privacy, and cyber-physical system security.
CYD Doctoral Fellowships Overview
The CYD Doctoral Fellowships are designed to support outstanding doctoral researchers pursuing advanced research in cyber-defence and data science. The program enables fellows to conduct high-impact research at the CYD Campus while completing their PhD under the supervision of a professor at a Swiss higher education institution.
The fellowship aims to strengthen research capacity in cybersecurity, cyber-defence, artificial intelligence, and data-driven technologies by supporting doctoral candidates working on innovative solutions to emerging digital security challenges.
Researchers benefit from financial support, access to specialized research environments, interdisciplinary collaboration opportunities, and participation in international scientific communities.
Focus Areas
The fellowship supports doctoral research in the following areas:
- Cyber-defence.
- Cybersecurity.
- Cyber-physical systems security.
- Data science.
- Artificial intelligence for cybersecurity.
- Privacy-enhancing technologies.
- Digital trust technologies.
- Information sharing systems.
- Data fusion.
- Crowdsourcing methodologies.
- Cyber threat analysis.
- Security analytics.
- Confidentiality protection.
- Integrity protection.
- Availability of digital systems.
- Technology-related data analysis.
- AI-driven cyber intelligence.
- Secure digital infrastructures.
Projects should contribute to strengthening the security, resilience, and trustworthiness of digital and cyber-physical environments.
Funding Information
The CYD Doctoral Fellowship provides comprehensive support throughout the doctoral research period.
Fellowship Duration
- Funding period: Up to 4 years.
- Possible extension: Up to 1 additional year.
- Shorter funding requests are permitted if aligned with the expected completion date of the PhD thesis.
Salary Support
The fellowship provides:
- Salary contributions for doctoral researchers.
- Social security benefits.
- Compensation according to the salary scale of the host institution.
Funding is designed to enable researchers to focus on high-quality doctoral research while maintaining financial stability throughout their studies.
Research Funding
Fellows may receive:
- Up to CHF 3,000 per year for research-related expenses.
- Funding for specific project equipment.
- Support for approved research materials and resources.
Research costs must be directly linked to the approved doctoral project.
Conference and Dissemination Support
Additional funding includes:
- Up to CHF 5,000 per year.
- Conference registration fees.
- Travel expenses.
- Accommodation costs.
- Scientific dissemination activities.
- Academic networking opportunities.
This support enables fellows to present research findings and engage with international research communities.
Research Themes
Cyber-Defence and Cybersecurity
Research may address:
- Cyber threat detection.
- Cyber resilience.
- Security monitoring.
- Cyber risk management.
- Defensive cyber operations.
- Protection of critical infrastructure.
- Incident response technologies.
Cyber-Physical Systems Security
Projects may focus on:
- Industrial control systems security.
- Internet of Things (IoT) security.
- Smart infrastructure protection.
- Embedded systems security.
- Autonomous systems protection.
- Operational technology security.
Researchers are encouraged to address emerging threats affecting interconnected physical and digital systems.
Data Science and Artificial Intelligence
The fellowship supports research involving:
- Machine learning applications.
- AI-driven cybersecurity tools.
- Predictive analytics.
- Security data analysis.
- Data-driven decision-making.
- Large-scale cyber data processing.
- Automated threat intelligence systems.
Projects should demonstrate innovative uses of data science methodologies in cyber-related domains.
Privacy and Digital Trust
Research may include:
- Privacy-preserving technologies.
- Digital identity systems.
- Trust frameworks.
- Secure data sharing.
- Cryptographic methods.
- Privacy-enhancing technologies.
- Ethical and trustworthy AI systems.
These areas contribute to stronger trust and confidence in digital ecosystems.
Information Sharing and Data Fusion
Projects may explore:
- Collaborative cyber intelligence.
- Information-sharing platforms.
- Data integration methodologies.
- Crowdsourcing systems.
- Multi-source data fusion.
- Collective cyber defence mechanisms.
Research should improve the ability to gather, process, and use information effectively for cybersecurity purposes.
Fellowship Structure
Fellows conduct their doctoral research:
- At the CYD Campus in Switzerland.
- Under the supervision of a professor from a Swiss higher education institution.
- Within an approved doctoral programme.
- In collaboration with academic and research partners.
The fellowship combines academic supervision with a specialized cyber-defence research environment.
Who is Eligible?
Applicants of all nationalities are eligible to apply.
There are:
- No nationality restrictions.
- No age restrictions.
The program welcomes talented researchers from around the world who meet the academic requirements.
Academic Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
- Be enrolled in a doctoral programme.
- Study at a Swiss higher education institution.
- Conduct research aligned with fellowship priorities.
- Obtain academic endorsement from an eligible professor.
The doctoral research topic must fit within the fellowship’s cyber-defence and data science focus areas.
Supervisor Requirements
Applicants must obtain support from:
- A professor employed at a Swiss higher education institution.
- An academic supervisor responsible for overseeing the PhD research.
The supervisor plays a key role in:
- Research guidance.
- Academic oversight.
- Progress monitoring.
- Thesis supervision.
Supervisor endorsement is a mandatory component of the application.
Requirements for Applied Sciences Students
Applicants affiliated with a School of Applied Sciences must additionally provide:
- Confirmation of enrollment in a doctoral programme.
- Evidence that the doctoral programme is hosted by a Swiss university.
This requirement ensures compliance with doctoral degree regulations.
Selection Preferences
Preference is generally given to:
- Candidates who have not yet started their PhD.
- Researchers in the early stages of doctoral studies.
- Applicants proposing highly innovative research.
- Projects demonstrating strong relevance to cyber-defence and data science.
Early-stage researchers are prioritized because the fellowship is designed to support most of the doctoral research journey.
Benefits of the Fellowship
Successful fellows gain access to:
- Long-term doctoral funding.
- Research equipment support.
- International conference funding.
- Specialized cyber-defence research facilities.
- Academic supervision.
- Interdisciplinary collaboration opportunities.
- Professional networking opportunities.
- Exposure to leading cybersecurity research environments.
These benefits help researchers build strong academic and professional careers.
How to Apply
- Identify a research topic aligned with cyber-defence or data science priorities.
- Secure admission or enrollment in a doctoral programme at a Swiss higher education institution.
- Obtain support from an eligible academic supervisor.
- Develop a detailed doctoral research proposal.
- Prepare documentation demonstrating academic qualifications.
- Gather institutional endorsements and enrollment confirmations.
- Prepare a budget if requesting research or conference support.
- Submit the fellowship application according to program guidelines.
- Respond to any additional requests during the review process.
Strong applications clearly demonstrate research excellence, innovation, feasibility, and relevance to cyber-defence challenges.
Why This Fellowship Matters
Cybersecurity threats continue to evolve rapidly, creating growing demand for advanced research that strengthens digital resilience and trust. The CYD Doctoral Fellowships support the development of future experts who can contribute innovative solutions to cybersecurity, privacy, artificial intelligence, and cyber-defence challenges.
By funding doctoral researchers, the fellowship helps expand scientific knowledge, strengthen cybersecurity capabilities, and support the development of technologies that protect critical digital and cyber-physical systems.
The program also contributes to Switzerland’s position as a leading center for cybersecurity and data science research.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Proposing research outside the fellowship focus areas.
- Failing to secure supervisor endorsement.
- Submitting an unclear or poorly defined research proposal.
- Providing insufficient evidence of doctoral enrollment.
- Overlooking eligibility requirements for applied sciences students.
- Failing to demonstrate innovation and research impact.
- Submitting incomplete application materials.
- Presenting unrealistic research timelines.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the CYD Doctoral Fellowship?
The CYD Doctoral Fellowship is a funding program that supports PhD researchers conducting innovative research in cyber-defence, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and data science at the CYD Campus in Switzerland.
How long does the fellowship last?
The fellowship provides support for up to four years, with the possibility of a one-year extension.
How much research funding is available?
Fellows may receive up to CHF 3,000 annually for eligible research-related expenses.
Is conference funding included?
Yes. Fellows may receive up to CHF 5,000 per year to support conference participation, travel, accommodation, and related dissemination activities.
Who can apply?
Applicants of any nationality and any age may apply, provided they meet the academic and enrollment requirements.
Must applicants be enrolled in a Swiss doctoral program?
Yes. Applicants must be enrolled in a doctoral programme at a Swiss higher education institution.
Are early-stage PhD candidates preferred?
Yes. Preference is generally given to applicants who have not yet started their PhD or who are in the early stages of doctoral research.
Conclusion
The CYD Doctoral Fellowships provide an exceptional opportunity for doctoral researchers pursuing advanced work in cyber-defence, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and data science. Through comprehensive salary support, research funding, and conference grants for up to four years, the program enables talented researchers from around the world to conduct impactful research at the CYD Campus while completing their PhD at a Swiss higher education institution. By supporting innovation in digital security, privacy, and cyber resilience, the fellowship contributes to the development of future leaders in cybersecurity research and technology.
For more information, visit EPFL.
