Are you passionate about cybersecurity, data science, or digital defense? Dreaming of contributing to cutting-edge research that protects our digital world? Then here’s your chance to join one of the most prestigious talent programs in Europe—the CYD Fellowships, jointly offered by the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) and the Cyber-Defense (CYD) Campus in Switzerland.
The 12th call for applications is now officially open! Whether you’re a Master’s student, a PhD researcher, or a postdoc, this opportunity is tailored to help you explore cyber-defense at the highest academic and research levels.
What is the CYD Fellowship Program?
The CYD Fellowships – A Talent Program for Cyber-Defense Research is designed to promote research excellence in cyber-defense by combining basic and applied scientific work. The program supports outstanding students and researchers aiming to explore, develop, and implement innovative solutions to the growing challenges of cybersecurity.
Fellows are hosted by a higher education institution in Switzerland while also conducting part of their work at the CYD Campus—a Swiss cyber-competence center located at EPFL, ETH Zurich, and an office in Thun. The CYD Campus focuses on anticipating cyber trends, technologies, and their impact on society, making it an ideal place to gain advanced knowledge and hands-on experience in cyber-defense.
What’s in It for You? The Benefits
- Generous Financial Support: Covers your research expenses, living costs, and travel needs.
- Top-Notch Infrastructure: Access world-class labs and research tools at EPFL, ETH Zurich, and the CYD Campus.
- Expert Mentorship: Work alongside some of the brightest minds in cybersecurity.
- Real-World Impact: Develop research that can influence cyber policies, technologies, and public safety.
- International Network: Connect with a broad network of researchers, practitioners, and decision-makers in Europe’s cyber-defense landscape.
Fellowship Categories
1# Master Thesis Fellowships: For students enrolled in a Master’s program at a Swiss university who wish to focus their thesis on a cyber-defense topic.
Rolling Applications – You can apply anytime throughout the year.
2# Doctoral Fellowships: Ideal for future PhD candidates with a strong academic background and a desire to explore cybersecurity challenges through full-time doctoral research.
Current Application Deadline: 20 August 2025 (17:00 CEST)
Next Call Opens: 3 December 2025.
3# Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowships: For highly qualified researchers with a PhD, aiming to carry out advanced research in cyber-defense and digital resilience.
Current Application Deadline: 20 August 2025 (17:00 CEST).
Who Can Apply?
This is a highly competitive program, with selection based on academic excellence, innovation, and research potential. Here’s what you need:
- An outstanding academic record with proven achievements
- A strong background in cyber-defense, data science, computer science, or closely related fields
- Enrolment or affiliation with a Swiss higher education institution
- A clear research vision relevant to cyber-defense challenges
- Motivation to engage with real-world cybersecurity threats
Postdoctoral applicants should have a demonstrated ability to work independently and lead high-level research.
Apply: https://www.epfl.ch/research/funding/epfl-programmes/cyd/
Application Deadline
The last date to apply for the Doctoral and Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowships under the CYD Fellowships Program is 20 August 2025 at 17:00 CEST. In contrast, applications for the Master Thesis Fellowships are accepted on a rolling basis, allowing interested Master’s students to apply at any time throughout the year.
