ETH Pioneer Fellowship 2025 in Switzerland | Fully Funded Fellowship

Studying abroad and working with some of the brightest minds in the world is a dream for many students. If you are passionate about research, innovation, and entrepreneurship, then the ETH Pioneer Fellowship 2025 in Switzerland could be your golden opportunity.

This fellowship is designed for young researchers, Master’s, PhD, and postdoctoral students who want to transform their academic research into real-world solutions.

Whether your passion lies in deep technology or creating social change, this fellowship provides the mentorship, resources, and financial support you need to grow your ideas into reality.

Imagine spending 10 to 18 months in Switzerland, a hub of innovation, where you’ll be guided by top professors, industry experts, and global entrepreneurs. Not only will you gain world-class exposure, but you’ll also enjoy the vibrant Swiss culture while developing your research into a sustainable business or impactful social project.

Here, you will get authentic and detailed information about the ETH Pioneer Fellowship 2025 in brief.

About the ETH Pioneer Fellowship 2025

The ETH Pioneer Fellowship is a prestigious, partially funded fellowship at ETH Zurich. It supports entrepreneurial-minded students and researchers who are ready to commercialize their research-based ideas into scalable businesses or social enterprises.

ETH Zurich, one of the world’s top-ranked universities, is known for producing Nobel laureates and world-class entrepreneurs. The Pioneer Fellowship Program gives students and researchers a platform to not only explore their research but also build innovative products and services that can make a global impact.

There are two tracks under this fellowship:

• Pioneer Fellowship Deep-Tech Incubation Program – Focused on turning advanced technology and innovative research into market-ready products.
• Pioneer Fellowship Social Impact Incubation Program – Geared towards projects that directly improve the lives of people in low- and middle-income countries, especially those living on under $10/day.

Both programs offer the same level of funding, mentorship, and training the only difference lies in the project’s purpose and target audience.

Quick Highlights

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Why Choose the ETH Pioneer Fellowship?

ETH Zurich is more than just a university; it is a global center of innovation. Ranked among the world’s top 15 institutions in science and engineering, ETH offers an exceptional platform for emerging researchers. This fellowship is not only about financial support — it helps you develop an entrepreneurial mindset, gain hands-on experience, and design solutions that have the power to shape the future.

Whether you dream of launching a deep-tech startup or building a socially impactful enterprise, this fellowship will give you the right tools, mentorship, and international exposure to succeed.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the ETH Pioneer Fellowship 2025, applicants must:

• You must be entrepreneurial and motivated to commercialize your research
• You must be an ETH Master’s, Doctoral student, or researcher.
• You need to propose a strong business idea that is supported by your ETH Zurich host professor.
• You should not have already registered or incorporated a company.
• For the Social Impact Fellowship, your project must directly benefit people in low- and middle-income countries listed under OECD DAC 2025.

Also Read: Wilson Center Fellowship Program 2026 in USA | Fully Funded Fellowship

Fellowship Benefits

Here’s why the ETH Pioneer Fellowship is a life-changing opportunity:

• Generous Funding – CHF 120,000/150,000 (12 months) or CHF 180,000 (18 months)
• Entrepreneurial training and mentoring from ETH professors and industry experts
• Covers salary, project costs, tuition fees, travel & research expenses
• Full access to ETH Zurich’s cutting-edge research facilities and entrepreneurial ecosystem
• A chance to live, study, and innovate in Switzerland — one of the most beautiful and innovative countries in the world
• Networking opportunities with global leaders, startups, and investors

Required Documents

Applicants must prepare the following documents before applying:

• Project summary & detailed project description
• Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest
• Letter of support from the host professor
• Information on intellectual property rights (if any)
• Financial plan for the project
• Video presentation of the project
• Applicant’s CV & publication list

How to Apply

The application process is simple but highly competitive-

Visit the official website

• Apply online through the ETH Zurich Grant Application System.
• Fill in all the required details and attach supporting documents.
• Submit before the deadline: 1 September 2025.
• Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview:
  • Deep-Tech Track → 23 October 2025 (In-person)
  • Social Impact Track → 28 October 2025 (In-person)

• Final results will be announced within 3 months. The earliest start date is November 2025.

FAQs