ETH Pioneer Fellowship 2026 in Switzerland (Deadline: 1 September, 2025)

Are you an entrepreneurial student or researcher at ETH Zürich with a groundbreaking idea? Do you dream of turning your research-based technology or social impact project into a marketable product or service? If so, the ETH Pioneer Fellowship might be your perfect opportunity. This prestigious fellowship program supports the launch of innovative ETH Spin-offs through two distinct incubation tracks: Deep-Tech and Social Impact.

The ETH Pioneer Fellowship offers comprehensive support, including substantial funding, entrepreneurial training, and access to ETH’s infrastructure. Designed for ETH Master’s or Doctoral students and researchers, this program helps market cutting-edge research, fostering the growth of successful spin-off companies. Each year, 5 – 6 Deep-Tech Incubation Pioneer Fellowships are awarded per call to the most promising candidates, enabling them to develop their projects with the guidance and support of their host professors.

Whether your project focuses on advanced technology or aims to make a social impact, the ETH Pioneer Fellowship provides a unique opportunity to bring your ideas to life. With up to CHF 150,000 in funding and comprehensive support, this fellowship is a launching pad for the next generation of ETH entrepreneurs.

Key Details and Dates

• • Application deadline: September 1, 2025
  • Pre-evaluation completed: October 6, 2025
  • Interview: October 23, 2025 (DT)
  • Interview: October 28, 2025 (SI)
  • Final confirmation: November 2025
  • Earliest start date: December 1, 2025
  • Funding Type: Up to CHF 150,000
  • Host Institution: ETH Zurich
  • Eligible Countries: All countries on the OECD DAC List 2025 for Social Impact Fellowships
  • Eligible Gender: Male/Female
  • Target Group: ETH Master’s or Doctoral students and ETH researchers
  • Focus Area: Deep-Tech, Social Impact
  • Study Level: Master’s, Doctoral
  • Number of Opportunities: 5-6 Deep-Tech Incubation Pioneer Fellowships per call
  • Duration: 18 months (12 months for a team of 2 Fellows)
  • Program Language: English
  • Host Country: Switzerland

Benefits and Financial Aids

Below are the support and funding you will receive from the ETH Pioneer Fellowship Program:

• Up to CHF 150,000 for 18 months (12 months for a team of 2 Fellows)
• Coaching and entrepreneurial training
• Support from the host Professor
• Access to the ETH infrastructure and the entrepreneurial ecosystem
• Employment as Scientific staff at ETH Zürich

What are the allowed costs?

• running costs,
• Travel/field expenses and industry fairs
• tuition fee for a Certificate of Advanced Studies

Eligibility Criteria

The ETH Pioneer Fellowship applications will be accepted if they meet the following requirements:

• • 1-2 entrepreneurial qualified applicants wishing to commercialize research results from ETH Zürich
  • Applicants must be ETH Master’s or Doctoral students and ETH researchers
  • A company should not have been incorporated yet
  • Have full support from a host professor at ETH Zurich
  • Provide a promising business case with specific requirements for Social Impact Fellowships to serve people living on less than USD 10 per day in low- and middle-income countries.

Required Documents

Please prepare and submit the required materials for your application. All documents must be PDF with a maximum of 15 MB in size. Also, follow the proper naming and include your family name:

• Detailed project information (Project Summary)
• Information on intellectual property rights (IP Situation)
• Applicant(s) CV
• Relevant publications listed by the candidate(s) and the ETH host professor
• Letter of support from the host professor
• Supplementary information supporting the application
• 1-2 minute video presentation of the project, including the applicant

Naming Order:

• FamilyName_Project_Summary
• FamilyName_IP_Situation
• FamilyName_Applicant_CV
• FamilyName_Co-applicant_CV (if applicable)
• FamilyName_Publication_List
• FamilyName_Support_Letter
• FamilyName_Supplementary_Info

Selection Process and Criteria

• Evaluation of applications based on vision, mission, innovation degree, intellectual property, project objectives, market readiness, social/environmental impact, and entrepreneurial mindset
• In-person interview with the evaluation board at ETH Zürich
• The ETH Zürich will communicate the final decisions about three months after the application deadline

Evaluation Criteria

The following are the application evaluation criteria:

• • Alignment with the vision, mission, and objectives of the Pioneer Fellowship
  • Significance of the fellowship for the project’s realization
  • The innovation degree of the technology compared to the state-of-the-art
  • Technology Readiness Level meeting program requirements
  • Intellectual Property situation and freedom to operate
  • Comprehensibility and realism of the planned project objectives
  • Market readiness level meeting program requirements
  • Social and environmental impact of the project
  • Size of the serviceable obtainable market for sustaining a future company
  • Quality of the application and entrepreneurial mindset of the candidate(s)
  • Quality of the interview session (presentation and Q&A)

How to Apply?

• Carefully read the Program Regulations available on the ETH Zurich website.
• Submit applications through the web-based ETH Zurich grant application system ‘eResearch’ linked below.
• Ensure that all required documents are submitted as PDF files, adhering to the specified naming conventions.
• Upload a 1-2 minute video presentation as an MP4 file to Polybox and include the link in the application tool.
• Apply individually for the Deep-Tech or Social Impact Incubation Program, but note that you can receive only one fellowship.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE AND APPLY