ETH Pioneer Fellowship 2025 in Switzerland | Fully Funded Research & Innovation Program at ETH Zurich
Are you a young researcher, graduate, or postdoctoral fellow ready to turn cutting-edge research into real-world impact? The ETH Pioneer Fellowship 2025 is a fully funded innovation program hosted by ETH Zurich, Switzerland’s top research university, designed to help early-stage scientists and entrepreneurs transform their academic ideas into successful startups or social ventures.
Open to Master’s, Doctoral, and Postdoctoral candidates affiliated with ETH Zurich, this prestigious program offers up to CHF 150,000 in funding, personalized mentorship, access to ETH’s world-class facilities, and integration into Switzerland’s thriving innovation ecosystem.
Fellowship Overview
- Host Institution: ETH Zurich, Switzerland
- Fellowship Duration: 10 to 18 months
- Study Level: Master’s, PhD, Postdoc
- Eligible Applicants: International researchers affiliated with ETH Zurich
- Application Deadline: September 1, 2025
Why Choose the ETH Pioneer Fellowship?
ETH Zurich ranks among the world’s top universities and is known for its pioneering research and innovation culture. The ETH Pioneer Fellowship empowers aspiring entrepreneurs to take their innovations from lab to market by providing a launchpad for deep-tech and social impact ventures.
Whether you’re focused on AI, biotechnology, sustainability, energy, or global health, this fellowship offers the resources, training, and funding to bring your ideas to life.
Program Tracks
The ETH Pioneer Fellowship offers two specialized incubation tracks:
Deep-Tech Incubation
Designed for high-tech innovations in fields like robotics, nanotech, AI, and engineering. Fellows receive technical and business guidance to build scalable startups.
Social Impact Incubation
Geared toward innovations that improve life for people earning less than $10/day, especially in OECD DAC-listed developing countries. Ideal for projects in health, water, energy, and education.
Fellowship Benefits
ETH Zurich offers one of the most comprehensive startup incubator packages in Europe. Fellows receive:
- CHF 150,000 grant (covers salary and project expenses)
- Funding for travel, research, materials, and certifications
- Access to ETH Zurich’s labs, co-working spaces, and prototyping tools
- Personal mentorship from leading professors, industry experts, and entrepreneurs
- Entry into entrepreneurship bootcamps and pitch events
- Opportunity to establish a spin-off company
- Participation in global startup competitions and investor meetings
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Eligibility Criteria
To apply for the ETH Pioneer Fellowship 2025, candidates must:
- Be 1–2 entrepreneurial individuals affiliated with ETH Zurich
- Be at the Master’s, PhD, or postdoctoral level
- Have a business-oriented idea based on academic research
- Not have incorporated the business idea into a legal entity yet
- Secure endorsement from an ETH Zurich professor
- For social impact applicants: clearly demonstrate the benefit to low-income populations
️ Required Application Documents
- Completed Application Form
- Updated CV
- List of Publications (if applicable)
- Project Summary and Detailed Idea Description
- Letter of Support from ETH Zurich host professor
- Financial Plan and budget estimate
- Optional: Video Pitch or Presentation
- Intellectual Property disclosure (if relevant)
- Disclosure of any conflict of interest
How to Apply for ETH Pioneer Fellowship 2025
Follow these steps:
- Visit the official ETH Pioneer Fellowship page on ETH Zurich’s website.
- Download the application guidelines and form.
- Prepare and compile all documents (preferably in PDF format).
- Submit your application through the ETH online portal.
- Deadline: Applications must be submitted by 1 September 2025.
Launch Your Scientific Startup in Europe’s Innovation Hub
The ETH Pioneer Fellowship 2025 is more than a research grant—it’s your opportunity to bring groundbreaking ideas to life with the support of one of the world’s best innovation ecosystems. Whether your goal is to build a startup or a scalable social enterprise, ETH Zurich provides the tools, funding, and mentorship to help you succeed.
Apply Now and join the next generation of tech and social innovators.
