If you have recently completed a PhD or advanced arts degree and want the freedom to develop your own research inside one of Europe’s most respected academic ecosystems, the ETH Zurich Early-Career Fellowship 2026 offers a rare opening. Hosted by Collegium Helveticum, this fully funded fellowship places you at the center of Zurich’s interdisciplinary research community, where science, humanities, and the arts meet. You work as a full-time postdoctoral researcher at ETH Zurich, shaping an original project while building international academic visibility in a highly competitive global research environment.

What This Opportunity Really Offers You

This fully funded postdoctoral fellowship at ETH Zurich is designed to remove financial pressure so you can focus entirely on creative and academic work. You receive a full-time postdoctoral employment contract at ETH Zurich for ten months, with a salary ranging from CHF 75,000 to CHF 85,000. In addition, you can access up to CHF 2,000 for research or travel costs. Fellows with children may qualify for family allowances. Throughout the fellowship, you benefit from strong interdisciplinary mentoring and access to Zurich’s leading academic institutions.

One of the most attractive elements of Early-Career ETH Zurich Fellowship 2026 is its openness to all disciplines. You can pursue projects in:

• Natural sciences and engineering
  
• Social sciences and humanities
  
• Medical and applied research
  
• Fine arts and artistic research
  
• Interdisciplinary collaborations (up to three researchers)

Who Can Apply for ETH Zurich Early-Career Fellowship 2026?

You can apply for this Collegium Helveticum fellowship 2026 if you hold a PhD or equivalent doctoral degree, or a master’s degree in arts disciplines where PhDs are not awarded. Your degree must have been completed within the past eight years (before September 2026), with early-career status calculated over five academic years. Applicants from all countries and disciplines are welcome. Career breaks, caregiving responsibilities, and part-time work are taken into account. You must also secure an associate faculty fellow based in Zurich to support your application.

How to Apply for Early-Career Fellowship 2026 at ETH Zurich? 

Applications for this Early Career Research Fellowship in Switzerland are submitted fully online through the official website of Collegium Helveticum and focus on the originality and feasibility of your proposed project. You will upload a detailed project proposal, academic CV, degree documentation, and personal statement. Support from a faculty associate at ETH Zurich, the University of Zurich, or Zurich University of the Arts is required, with formal assessment completed at a later stage of selection.

Key Details at a Glance

Detail	Information
Program Name	Early-Career Fellowship – Collegium Helveticum
Host Institution	ETH Zurich
Country	Switzerland
Duration	10 months
Start Date	September 1, 2026
Funding Type	Fully funded postdoctoral employment
Fields	All academic and artistic disciplines
Eligibility Level	PhD or advanced arts degree
Research Grant	Up to CHF 2,000
Application Deadline	February 12, 2026
Study Location	Zurich

If you’re ready to grow your research career in Switzerland’s leading academic ecosystem, the ETH Zurich Early-Career Fellowship 2026 is a powerful stepping stone. This fellowship attracts top early-career scholars from around the world, and securing an associate faculty supporter takes time. Begin shaping your project and submit your application through the official Collegium Helveticum platform before the deadline. 

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