Engineering for Development Doctoral Scholarships for Low-Income Countries 2025

If you’re a student from a low-income country looking for a doctoral scholarship to further your studies in Engineering for Development, then the Engineering for Development Doctoral Scholarships offered by Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zürich and Swiss Federal Institute of Technology might be the opportunity you’ve been searching for.

Summary

• Scholarship Sponsor(s): Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH), Zürich
• Host Institution(s): Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zürich
• Funding Amount: 200’000 CHF
• Number of Awards: Several
• Study Level: Doctoral
• Nationality: Low-​income countries

Also Apply: University of Manchester President’s Doctoral Scholar (PDS) Award 2025 (Fully-funded)

Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for the Engineering for Development Doctoral Scholarships are as follows:

For the Candidate:

• The general entrance requirements for doctoral studies at the ETH Zurich and the respective department must be fulfilled.
• Experience in the selected research area is required.
• Candidates must be citizens of low- and lower-middle-income countries according to the OECD DAC-2025-25 list classification.

For the Supervisor:

• The doctoral supervisor must be an ETH professor and must have a guaranteed ETH position for the entire duration of the proposed project.
• It is expected that the ETH Zurich professor supports the candidate in elaborating the full proposal, if the concept note should be selected, and to supervise the candidate, if the full proposal is selected for funding.
• The supervisor confirms their commitment to the project by a letter of support, indicating their contribution to the project in cash or kind.

For the Research project:

• The research topic is within the thematic scope of ETH Zurich.
• The proposal is a new doctoral project, not complementary funding to an on-going research.
• Subject of the proposed research is the development of methods, technologies, tools or products, which generate a direct impact for underprivileged people in low-income countries.
• The ecological, socio-economic and cultural context is taken into account.

See Also: Study in Switzerland: ETH4D Doctoral Mentorship Grant 2025

Application Procedures

How-to-Apply: The application procedure for the Engineering for Development Doctoral Scholarships consists of two steps.

First step: The candidate submits the Concept Note Application Form 2025 to the E4D programme office by e-mail to [email protected].

The concept note application must include:

• Completed Concept Note Application Form 2025 (DOCX, 37 KB)
• CV of the candidate
• Excellent MSc degree from a recognised university and grade transcripts
• Support letter of the supervising professor at ETH Zurich
• 2 reference letters from your field of research
• Relevant own publications or documentation of relevant activities relating to the project
• List of 5 independent reviewers (same field of research, but unknown to candidate and professor)
• Bibliography

Second step: Candidates whose concept note is accepted by the E4D committee elaborate a full proposal together with the professor who agreed to supervise the project. If the candidate and the professor do not know each other, they must set up a meeting to discuss the full proposal elaboration. This meeting can be a face-to-face meeting or an online meeting.

Application Deadline: April 30, 2025

Visit the Official Website for Further Details

FAQs

What is the JAMB change of course or institution all about?

The JAMB change of course or institution is a process that allows candidates to modify the course or institution they initially selected during JAMB registration. This is usually necessary if the candidate did not meet the cut-off mark, wishes to switch to a more preferred course, or has gained new interest in another institution.

When can I apply for the JAMB change of course or institution?

You can apply for the JAMB change of course or institution after the release of UTME results and before your preferred institution starts its admission screening. JAMB typically announces an official window for making these changes, and it is advisable to act quickly within this period.

How do I apply for a JAMB change of course or institution?

To apply, visit any accredited JAMB CBT center or the official JAMB portal at https://efacility.jamb.gov.ng, log in with your credentials, click on “Correction of Data,” select either “Change of Course” or “Change of Institution,” make the necessary changes, and pay the required fee (usually around ₦2,500). Ensure you print out the confirmation slip after completion.

Can I change both course and institution at the same time?

Yes, you can change both your course and institution in a single application, provided you pay the correction fee. However, you can only use this service a limited number of times, so it’s important to make sure of your choices before submitting the request.