Funding opportunities for PhD students

The following overview includes the most important national and international funding opportunities open to PhD students in all fields of research. A research stay abroad is essential for an academic career; do not hesitate to take advantage of the numerous funding opportunities.

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  • In Switzerland

    SNSF Doc.CH

    Doc.CH (HSS) is aimed at promising researchers who wish to write a doctoral thesis on a topic of their own choice in the humanities and social sciences.

    Martina Pestoni
    ESKAS Swiss Government scholarships awarded to foreign scholars to pursue doctoral research in Switzerland. Martina Pestoni
    MD-PhD Program The MD-PhD programme is designed to enable research-oriented physicians to complete a second course of study leading to the conferral of a doctorate in the fields of science, public health, clinical research or bioethics. Maria Montilla
    Bridge Proof of Concept Bridge (a joint program of SNSF and Innosuisse) supports projects at the intersection of basic research and science-based innovation. It is aimed at young researchers who wish to develop an application or service based on their research results. Marcello Triulzio
  • Abroad

    SNSF Mobility grants in projects Mobility grants aimed at doctoral students employed in an ongoing SNSF research project, for a 6-12 months research stay abroad. Martina Pestoni
    USI Doc.Mobility Financial support aimed at doctoral students not employed in an ongoing SNSF research project, for a 6-12 months research stay abroad. Benedetto Lepori
    Cotutelle de thèse Additional funding provided by Swissuniversities for doctoral projects carried out within the framework of a formalized agreement between a Swiss and a foreign university. Martina Pestoni
    swissuniversities scholarships

    swissuniversities manages government scholarships of over 30 countries. Scholarships for a study or research stay abroad are offered to Swiss students and researchers. Non-Swiss citizens may also apply for scholarships of certain countries as long as the applicant resides in CH and is matriculated at a Swiss higher education institution. Check the Open Calls!

    Research Service