Scholarship Overview
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Overview
The Branco Weiss Fellowship – Society in Science 2027 is one of the most prestigious postdoctoral awards available to early-career researchers worldwide. Established by the late Swiss entrepreneur Dr. Branco Weiss and administered by ETH Zurich, this fellowship empowers exceptional scientists to pursue visionary, independent research projects without the constraints of traditional academic structures.
Unlike conventional postdoctoral positions tied to specific laboratories or institutions, the Branco Weiss Fellowship provides unrestricted funding that fellows can use to conduct research at any location worldwide. This flexibility allows recipients to design their ideal research environment, collaborate with diverse institutions, and maintain the intellectual freedom necessary for groundbreaking work.
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Funding and Duration
The fellowship provides substantial financial support:
- Maximum award: CHF 600,000 (approximately USD 670,000)
- Duration: Up to five years
- Usage: Complete flexibility to cover salary, equipment, travel, consumables, personnel costs, and other legitimate research expenses
The five-year duration is particularly notable. Fellows may continue their award even after academic promotion, meaning some recipients advance to faculty positions while maintaining their fellowship support. This structure recognizes that scientific careers develop at different paces and provides stability during crucial early years.
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Eligibility Requirements
Candidates must satisfy all of the following criteria for the 2027 intake:
- Officially hold a PhD by January 15, 2027—meaning you have successfully defended your dissertation before this date
- Have obtained your PhD no more than five years prior to January 15, 2027
- Not currently hold, nor have previously held, a faculty-equivalent position (such as assistant professor or lecturer)
- Propose a project that departs from mainstream research in your discipline
- Demonstrate a record of outstanding scientific achievement
- Show willingness to engage in dialogue on social, cultural, political, or economic issues beyond your specific field
- Confirm ability to travel to the Greater Zurich Area and attend the annual symposium in person
- Ensure your chosen mentor is supporting only you as their candidate in this application round
Previous applicants who were not selected are welcome to reapply. Acceptable reasons for delays after PhD completion include parental leave, illness, or accident-related inability to work.
What Makes a Strong Application
Successful Branco Weiss Fellows share distinctive characteristics beyond research excellence. The selection committee particularly values:
- Intellectual courage: Willingness to pursue unconventional questions and methods
- Communication skills: Ability to explain complex research to non-specialist audiences and engage with societal implications
- Interdisciplinary vision: Projects that bridge traditional disciplinary boundaries
- Global perspective: Research with relevance beyond academic circles
The fellowship explicitly seeks researchers who view science as connected to broader human concerns. Your proposal should articulate not only what you will study, but why it matters to society.
Application Process
The 2027 application cycle follows this timeline:
- Portal opens: Currently open for registration
- Deadline: January 15, 2027, 5:00 p.m. CET
- Recommendation: Submit 1–2 days before deadline to avoid server overload
Applications require careful preparation. You must identify a mentor who will support your candidacy exclusively—meaning they cannot endorse any other applicant in this round. This requirement ensures dedicated mentorship and prevents conflicts of interest.
For African and SADC Region Applicants
Researchers from Zimbabwe and the broader SADC region face particular considerations:
- PhD timing: Ensure your defense is completed before January 15, 2027, allowing time for administrative processing
- Visa and travel: Confirm you can obtain necessary documentation for annual Zurich symposium attendance
- Mentor identification: Build international research relationships early; the exclusive mentorship requirement means strategic networking
- Currency planning: CHF 600,000 provides substantial purchasing power in most SADC countries, enabling extended field research or regional collaboration
The fellowship’s location flexibility is especially valuable for African researchers who may wish to maintain connections with home institutions while accessing international resources.
Fellowship Community and Expectations
Branco Weiss Fellows join a lifelong community of alumni who continue collaborating across disciplines and borders. Fellows commit to:
- Annual attendance at the symposium in the Greater Zurich Area
- Active participation in interdisciplinary dialogue
- Engagement with public audiences about their research
This community aspect distinguishes the fellowship from purely financial awards. The program invests in developing scientists who can bridge academia and society.
Official scholarship page: https://brancoweissfellowship.org/
You apply directly with the provider. We never charge for applications or ask for payment details. How we verify scholarships
