Branco Weiss Fellowship 2027: Up to CHF 600,000 for Outstanding Postdoctoral Researchers to Pursue Groundbreaking Research Worldwide

The Branco Weiss Fellowship – Society in Science is inviting applications from exceptional early-career researchers worldwide who want to pursue original, ambitious and unconventional research projects. Administered by ETH Zurich, the fellowship provides up to CHF 600,000 in funding over five years, giving selected researchers the freedom to develop their own research vision and explore questions that challenge conventional thinking.

Unlike many traditional research funding programmes that support established research directions, the Branco Weiss Fellowship is specifically designed for postdoctoral researchers whose ideas move beyond the mainstream of their disciplines. It seeks individuals with outstanding scientific achievements, intellectual independence and a willingness to connect their research with broader social, cultural, political and economic issues.

Applications for the 2027 fellowship intake are open, and researchers from all academic disciplines and nationalities are welcome to apply, provided they meet the eligibility criteria and demonstrate the originality and potential of their proposed research.

Application deadline: January 15, 2027, at 5:00 p.m. Central European Time (CET). Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their applications one to two days before the deadline to avoid technical difficulties.

1. About the Branco Weiss Fellowship – Society in Science

The Branco Weiss Fellowship is an international research programme established to support talented postdoctoral scientists who want to take their research beyond established academic boundaries. Founded by the late Swiss entrepreneur Dr. Branco Weiss, the programme is administered by ETH Zurich and is built around the belief that scientific progress often comes from people who are willing to question conventional assumptions and explore unfamiliar research directions.

The fellowship gives researchers the opportunity to develop an independent research project at an academic institution that is particularly well suited to their work. Rather than requiring fellows to follow a narrowly defined research agenda, the programme allows them to pursue their own scientific vision while benefiting from substantial financial support.

The fellowship is open to researchers across the natural sciences, engineering, social sciences and humanities. This broad scope makes it relevant to researchers working on a wide range of questions, from fundamental scientific problems to interdisciplinary investigations with implications for society.

The programme aims to award up to ten fellowships each year, although the actual number of awards depends on the quality of the applicants and their performance during the selection process.

2. What Makes the Branco Weiss Fellowship Different?

The Branco Weiss Fellowship is not simply a source of research funding. It is designed to support researchers who have the potential to challenge established ways of thinking and introduce new directions into their fields.

Several features distinguish the fellowship from conventional postdoctoral opportunities.

Independent research vision

Successful applicants are expected to develop a research project that reflects their own intellectual interests and scientific ambitions. The programme offers researchers considerable freedom to determine the direction of their work, choose an appropriate host institution and pursue questions that may not fit comfortably within conventional research programmes.

Research beyond the mainstream

The fellowship prioritises projects that depart significantly from mainstream research in the applicant’s discipline. The objective is to support ideas that open up new possibilities, challenge existing assumptions or create connections between fields that are not usually studied together.

Applicants should therefore be able to explain clearly why their research is unconventional, what makes it scientifically rigorous and why the project requires the distinctive freedom offered by the fellowship.

Interdisciplinary thinking

Researchers are encouraged to explore connections between their primary discipline and other areas of knowledge. An innovative project might combine scientific methods, for example, or investigate how scientific discoveries intersect with social, cultural, political or economic questions.

However, interdisciplinary research is not an absolute requirement in itself. The central consideration is whether the proposed work demonstrates originality, intellectual ambition and the potential to advance knowledge beyond established approaches.

Engagement with society

The fellowship values researchers who can communicate beyond their immediate academic specialisation. Applicants must demonstrate a willingness to participate in dialogue about issues affecting society and to consider the wider significance of their research.

This means that a strong application should explain not only the scientific questions being investigated but also the broader conversations, challenges or opportunities the research could help address.

International research opportunities

The fellowship is international and allows fellows to carry out their projects at suitable academic institutions worldwide. Researchers are not restricted to conducting their work at ETH Zurich simply because the programme is administered there.

Instead, applicants should identify a host institution that provides the expertise, facilities, research environment and intellectual support needed to carry out their proposed project successfully.

3. Who Should Apply for the Branco Weiss Fellowship?

The fellowship is intended for outstanding early-career researchers who have completed their doctoral training and are ready to pursue independent postdoctoral research before taking up their first faculty-equivalent position.

The ideal applicant is not defined solely by academic qualifications. The programme also looks for originality, a strong record of achievement, intellectual courage and the ability to develop a research agenda that goes beyond conventional approaches.

Applicants should consider the fellowship if they:

• Have completed a PhD and are within the programme’s permitted postdoctoral eligibility period.

• Have demonstrated outstanding scientific or scholarly achievement.

• Have developed an original research idea that departs significantly from the mainstream of their field.

• Want to pursue an independent research project rather than simply continue an established research programme.

• Can explain the potential contribution of their project to their discipline and, where relevant, to other disciplines.

• Are willing to engage in meaningful dialogue about the social, cultural, political or economic implications of their work.

• Can identify an appropriate academic host institution and a prospective host who supports their proposed research.

• Are willing and able to travel to the Greater Zurich Area for the fellowship’s annual symposium.

Researchers who are currently working in postdoctoral positions may also be eligible, provided they satisfy all the formal requirements.

Previous applicants who were unsuccessful are welcome to apply again.

4. Eligibility Criteria for the 2027 Branco Weiss Fellowship

Applicants must meet the programme’s formal eligibility requirements in addition to demonstrating the intellectual quality of their proposed research. For the 2027 intake, the principal requirements are as follows.

4.1. A completed PhD

Applicants must officially hold a doctoral degree by January 15, 2027. Candidates who have successfully passed their PhD defence before the deadline may qualify even if their formal degree certificate has not yet been issued.

This means that doctoral candidates who are still awaiting their defence on the application deadline should not assume they qualify simply because they expect to graduate soon afterwards.

4.2. The PhD must have been obtained within the previous five years

Applicants must have obtained their PhD no more than five years before January 15, 2027. The official examination or certificate date is relevant to determining eligibility, according to the programme’s rules.

The fellowship is therefore aimed at early-career researchers rather than established academics who completed their doctoral studies many years ago.

4.3. Applicants must not hold a faculty-equivalent position

The fellowship is intended for researchers before their first faculty appointment. Individuals who hold or have previously held faculty-equivalent positions, such as assistant professor or lecturer, are not eligible under the published criteria.

Researchers should carefully review the official eligibility guidelines if their current or previous employment title differs from these examples but carries comparable academic responsibilities.

4.4. A record of outstanding scientific achievement

Candidates must demonstrate that they have already made significant contributions to their field. This may be reflected in their research publications, the originality and quality of their work, and other relevant scholarly achievements.

Applicants should focus on presenting evidence of research quality and intellectual contribution rather than relying exclusively on the number of publications they have produced.

4.5. An original research proposal

The proposed project must depart from the mainstream of the applicant’s discipline. The fellowship is not primarily intended to fund conventional research projects that could readily receive support through other scientific funding organisations.

Applicants should clearly explain:

• What makes their research idea unconventional.

• Which established assumptions, approaches or research boundaries the project seeks to challenge.

• Why the research is scientifically rigorous and feasible.

• What new knowledge, methods or perspectives the project could produce.

• Why the fellowship’s independence and flexibility are particularly suitable for the proposed work.

4.6. Willingness to engage with society

Candidates must demonstrate a willingness to participate in dialogue about social, cultural, political or economic questions beyond their immediate research specialisation.

A strong proposal should consider the connections between science and society and explain how the research could contribute to wider intellectual discussions.

4.7. A suitable research host

Applicants must obtain an invitation letter from a prospective host professor or host institution supporting the proposed project. The host should be able to explain why the candidate and their project are suitable for the research environment.

The selected host institution should offer an environment that is particularly well suited to the project’s aims.

4.8. Attendance at the annual symposium

Applicants must confirm that they are willing and able to travel to the Greater Zurich Area and attend the fellowship’s annual symposium in person.

Meeting this requirement is part of the programme’s expectations for fellows.

5. Can Researchers from Africa and Other Regions Apply?

Yes. The Branco Weiss Fellowship is an international programme open to researchers of all nationalities. There are no nationality-based restrictions in the published eligibility rules.

Researchers from Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, other African countries, Europe, Asia, North America, South America and Oceania can apply, provided they meet the academic, career-stage and research requirements.

There is also no restriction based on biological age. Eligibility is determined by the programme’s formal requirements, including the date of PhD completion and the applicant’s academic career stage.

For African researchers, the programme may offer an opportunity to develop an ambitious research agenda at a suitable academic institution anywhere in the world. The decisive consideration is the quality and originality of the proposed project, not the applicant’s country of citizenship.

Applicants should nevertheless distinguish nationality eligibility from project eligibility: being from an eligible country does not automatically qualify a researcher whose doctoral completion date, employment status or research proposal fails to meet the fellowship’s criteria.

6. What Is the Funding Amount?

The Branco Weiss Fellowship provides a maximum of CHF 600,000 for a period of up to five years.

The funding is structured as a project grant administered through the fellow’s host institution. It is intended to cover legitimate costs associated with carrying out the proposed research rather than functioning simply as an unrestricted personal cash award.

Eligible research expenses may include:

• Salary: Salary costs associated with the fellow’s research work.

• Research equipment: Equipment required to conduct the project.

• Travel expenses: Eligible travel associated with the research.

• Consumables: Materials and supplies needed for research activities.

• Personnel: Eligible personnel costs associated with the project.

• Other legitimate research expenses: Additional costs necessary to implement the approved research programme.

The precise budget should be prepared in accordance with the fellowship’s guidelines and the applicable arrangements with the host institution.

The maximum award should not be interpreted as a guaranteed payment of CHF 600,000 to every selected candidate. The funding supports the approved project, and the actual allocation depends on the legitimate costs associated with the research.

The fellowship’s funding model allows researchers to develop substantial projects over an extended period without being confined to the scope of a conventional short-term postdoctoral contract.

7. How Long Does the Fellowship Last?

Research projects supported by the Branco Weiss Fellowship are designed to run for five years. The programme divides this period into two phases: the pioneer phase and the exploitation phase.

Phase One: The Pioneer Phase

First two and a half years

The pioneer phase gives the fellow an opportunity to establish and develop the proposed research project. During this period, the researcher works towards the project’s objectives, tests the central ideas and develops the evidence needed to demonstrate the value of the research direction.

Before the end of the second year, the programme conducts a site visit and review. This evaluation considers the project’s progress, continued originality and the fellow’s productivity.

The review is an important part of the programme because the fellowship is designed to support research that remains ambitious and innovative throughout its duration.

Phase Two: The Exploitation Phase

Remaining two and a half years

If the review and site visit produce satisfactory results, the fellow enters the exploitation phase for the remaining two and a half years.

This phase allows the researcher to continue developing the project and build on the results achieved during the pioneer phase.

The fellowship also encourages fellows to pursue faculty positions during this stage. A fellow may take up a faculty position or professorship after the first year of the fellowship without automatically terminating the award.

This provision provides flexibility for researchers whose academic careers progress while their funded research projects are still underway.

8. How to Prepare a Competitive Research Proposal

The Branco Weiss Fellowship places considerable emphasis on the originality of the proposed research. Applicants should therefore invest substantial effort in explaining what makes their project different from conventional research and why that difference matters.

Explain the central research idea

The proposal should begin with a clearly articulated research question, problem or idea. Reviewers need to understand what the candidate intends to investigate and why the question is worth pursuing.

Avoid presenting the project as a collection of unrelated research activities. Instead, establish a coherent intellectual vision that connects the research question, methods, objectives and expected outcomes.

Demonstrate originality

Originality is central to this fellowship. Applicants should identify the assumptions, research traditions or disciplinary boundaries that their project seeks to move beyond.

It is not enough to describe a project as innovative. The proposal should explain precisely how it differs from existing research and what new direction it could establish.

Demonstrate scientific rigour

An unconventional project must still be methodologically sound. Applicants should explain how they intend to investigate the research question, which methods they will use and why those methods are appropriate.

Where relevant, the proposal should acknowledge possible limitations, research risks and alternative approaches.

Explain the potential impact

The proposal should discuss what the research could contribute to the applicant’s discipline and, where appropriate, to other fields.

Potential impact may involve new theoretical perspectives, methodological advances, empirical findings or new ways of approaching important research questions. Applicants should distinguish plausible contributions from outcomes that cannot yet be guaranteed.

Establish a realistic timeline

A five-year project needs a clear plan for implementation. The research proposal should include timelines, tentative milestones and references.

The milestones should demonstrate that the applicant has thought carefully about how the project will develop over time, including the work required to establish its feasibility and achieve meaningful results.

Connect science with society

Applicants should consider the relationship between their research and wider society. Depending on the project, this could involve social, cultural, political or economic questions.

The purpose is not to force every scientific project into an immediate practical application. Rather, applicants should demonstrate a genuine willingness to engage with broader issues and communicate across disciplinary boundaries.

Select an appropriate host institution

The proposed host should be well suited to the project. Applicants should identify an academic environment that provides the expertise, resources and research opportunities necessary to carry out the work.

The host’s invitation letter should explain why the candidate and their project are supported and why the institution is appropriate for the research.

9. Documents Required for the Application

Applicants should prepare all required documents before beginning the online application. According to the official application instructions for the 2027 intake, the following materials are required.

Application document checklist

All uploaded documents must be in PDF format. Each file must not exceed 5 MB, and the total upload size must not exceed 15 MB.

Applicants do not need to submit a reference letter at the initial application stage, and a budget is not required at that stage either. The programme may request supporting documents and references later during the selection process.

The application should be written in English and submitted through the designated online application system.

10. How to Apply for the Branco Weiss Fellowship 2027

The application process involves developing a strong proposal, identifying an appropriate host institution and submitting the required documentation online.

1. Review the official eligibility criteria.

2. Develop an original research idea.

   Identify a research question that departs from mainstream approaches in your field. Prepare a convincing explanation of the project’s originality, methodology, feasibility and anticipated contribution.

3. Identify a suitable host institution and prospective host.

   Find an academic institution that can provide the research environment needed for your project. Contact a suitable prospective host and obtain the required invitation letter. If you intend to work with multiple institutions, the official instructions require an invitation letter from the main host where the project will begin.

4. Prepare your application documents.

   Finalise your motivation letter, research proposal, CV, three selected publications, five reviewer suggestions and proof of doctoral qualification. Follow the specified page limits and PDF requirements.

5. Complete the online application.

6. Submit before the deadline.

   The final deadline is January 15, 2027, at 5:00 p.m. CET. The fellowship recommends submitting one to two days early to avoid server overload or other technical issues.

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11. Selection Process and Important Dates

The fellowship uses a competitive selection process to assess applicants’ research quality, originality, suitability for the programme and individual potential.

The selection process includes an initial assessment of applications, further evaluation of shortlisted proposals and interviews for candidates who advance to the final stage.

The official timeline for the 2027 intake is as follows:

The programme evaluates shortlisted candidates through expert assessment and interviews. Applicants should be prepared to explain their proposed project, their choice of host institution, their expectations of the fellowship and the potential impact of their research.

An invitation to interview does not guarantee an award; final selection depends on the programme’s assessment of candidates.

Because the programme aims to award up to ten fellowships each year, applicants should expect a competitive process and ensure that their proposals are well developed before submission.

12. Tips for Researchers Considering an Application

Researchers interested in the Branco Weiss Fellowship can strengthen their preparation by focusing on the following areas.

• Prioritise originality. Clearly identify the aspect of your research that challenges mainstream thinking. This is a defining feature of the programme.

• Demonstrate your research record. Select publications and other scholarly achievements that best demonstrate the quality and significance of your work.

• Build a clear argument. Ensure that your motivation letter and research proposal explain why the project matters, why it is different and why you are well placed to undertake it.

• Choose your host carefully. Look for an institution whose expertise and research environment genuinely support your project’s ambitions.

• Prepare your reviewer suggestions thoughtfully. Follow the programme’s rules on reviewer independence and institutional diversity.

• Allow time for revisions. A proposal that is unconventional must still be clear, methodologically sound and achievable.

• Check every formal requirement. Even a strong project may be rejected if it fails to meet the eligibility rules or document requirements.

• Submit early. Do not wait until the final hours on January 15, 2027, to upload your documents.

Applicants should use the official programme website as the final authority for all eligibility and submission requirements.

Conclusion

The Branco Weiss Fellowship 2027 offers an opportunity for exceptional postdoctoral researchers to pursue independent, ambitious research that moves beyond conventional academic boundaries. With funding of up to CHF 600,000 over five years, the programme provides substantial support for researchers seeking to develop original ideas, establish new research directions and engage with questions that connect science and society.

The fellowship is open to researchers across disciplines and nationalities, including eligible applicants from Ghana and the rest of Africa. However, applicants must have completed their PhD within the permitted period, must not hold or have held an ineligible faculty-equivalent position, and must demonstrate outstanding research achievement and a genuinely unconventional research proposal.

Researchers who meet these requirements should begin preparing their applications well ahead of the deadline, identify a suitable host institution and ensure that their proposals clearly communicate their originality and potential contribution.

Application deadline: January 15, 2027, at 5:00 p.m. CET.

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