CYD Cyber Defense Fellowships 2026, Switzerland
The Switzerland CYD Cyber Defense Fellowships are a prestigious research funding opportunity jointly operated by École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne and Switzerland’s Cyber-Defence Campus. This programme supports international researchers working in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence security, data science, and digital defense technologies.
It is one of Europe’s leading specialized fellowship programs focused on cyber-defense research and offers opportunities for master’s students, PhD candidates, and postdoctoral researchers.
Fellowship Overview
- Host Country: Switzerland
- Host Institutions: École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne and Cyber-Defence Campus
- Fellowship Type: Research-based fellowship
- Degree Levels: Master’s thesis, PhD, Postdoctoral
- Fields: Cybersecurity, AI security, data science, digital resilience
- Funding Type: Fully funded research support
- Application Mode: Online application
Degree Level
The CYD Fellowships support multiple academic stages:
- Master’s thesis research (short-term projects)
- Doctoral (PhD) research programs
- Postdoctoral research fellowships
Each level includes tailored funding and research support depending on project duration and scope.
Available Subjects
Applicants must work in research areas related to:
- Cybersecurity and cyber-defense
- Artificial intelligence security
- Data science and analytics
- Digital privacy and encryption technologies
- Network and system security
- Critical infrastructure protection
- Emerging technologies in cyber resilience
Benefits
The CYD Fellowships provide strong financial and research support:
Master’s Level
- Living allowance for research period
- Research funding for up to 6 months
PhD Level
- Competitive salary
- Research funding support
- Conference participation funding
- Duration: Up to 4 years (extendable in some cases)
Postdoctoral Level
- Salary-based funding
- Research and conference support
- Duration: Up to 2 years
Additional benefits may vary depending on host institution and project.
Eligible Nationalities
The fellowship is open to:
- International researchers from all countries
- Candidates hosted at eligible Swiss higher education institutions
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants are expected to meet the following requirements:
- Strong academic background with excellent grades
- Relevant degree in computer science, engineering, or related fields
- Research interest aligned with cybersecurity or digital defense
- Clear and well-defined research proposal (for PhD/postdoc applicants)
- Previous research or professional experience is an advantage
- Selection based on academic excellence and research potential
Application Procedure
The application process generally includes:
- Identify a Swiss host institution or supervisor
- Prepare a detailed research proposal
- Submit academic transcripts and CV
- Provide proof of previous academic or research achievements
- Complete online application for CYD Fellowship
- Submit documents before the deadline
Doctoral and postdoctoral applicants must ensure strong alignment between their research project and the host institution.
Important Dates
- Master’s Thesis Applications: Open on a rolling basis
- PhD & Postdoctoral Deadline: 19 August 2026
- Applicant Workshop: 7 July 2026
Why Choose CYD Fellowships?
The CYD Fellowship program is unique because it combines academic research with real-world cyber-defense applications. Fellows benefit from:
- Direct access to Switzerland’s Cyber-Defence Campus
- Collaboration with leading research institutions like EPFL and ETH Zurich
- Exposure to real national and global cybersecurity challenges
- Opportunities to turn research into practical security solutions
- Strong international academic and industry network
