ETH Zurich E4D Doctoral Scholarships 2025 (Fully-Funded)
Are you looking for a fully-funded doctoral scholarship in engineering? The 2025 Engineering for Development (E4D) Doctoral Scholarship Programme at ETH Zurich, Switzerland, might be the perfect opportunity for you. This program aims to support research and education for underprivileged individuals in low-income countries, with a grant of 175,000 CHF to cover the doctoral students’ salary costs over three years.
Scholarship Details
Sponsor: ETH Zurich, Switzerland
Type: Fully-funded
Host Institution: ETH Zurich, Switzerland
Worth: 175,000 CHF
Awards Available: Several
Study Level: Doctoral Students
Nationality: International Students
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants should have prior contact with an ETH professor in their field of study
- High proficiency in English is required
- Maximum age limit of 40 years
- Excellent MSc or MA degree with high academic performance
- Applicants must contact an ETH professor with a specific project idea
Application Process
How to Apply: Interested candidates should apply online through the Application Form for E4D Doctoral Scholarships.
Required Documents
- Project description (using provided template)
- Candidate’s CV
- Transcripts of MSc or MA degree
- Support letter from supervising professor at ETH Zurich
- 2 reference letters
- Own publications or documentation related to the project
- Bibliography
- Contact information for 5 external reviewers
Application Deadline: April 30, 2025
FAQs
What are the E4D Doctoral Scholarships, and who funds them?
The Engineering for Development (E4D) Doctoral Scholarship Programme supports outstanding doctoral candidates from low‑income and lower‑middle‑income countries to conduct research at ETH Zurich that directly benefits underprivileged populations. The programme is generously funded by the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, offering a grant of 200 000 CHF to cover salary and research costs over three years. ETH Zurich professors fund the fourth year and additional research expenses.
Who is eligible to apply for the 2025 scholarships?
Applicants must fulfil ETH’s general entrance requirements for doctoral studies, have a relevant academic and research background with an excellent Master’s degree, and be citizens of countries classified by the OECD DAC‑2024‑2025 list (priority given to least‑developed, low‑, and lower‑middle‑income countries). Crucially, applicants must already have secured a supervising ETH Zurich professor who commits to supporting and hosting the potential project, confirmed via a letter of support.
What does the application process look like, and when is the deadline?
The application begins with submitting a concept note by email to the ETH E4D programme office. Eligible notes are evaluated by the ETH4D committee and shortlisted candidates then work with their prospective supervisor to prepare a full proposal. The concept note deadline for the 2025 call is 30 April 2025, and the call officially opens in early February 2025. Only complete applications including supervisor support letters are considered.
What exactly is funded, and what are the expectations for the research project?
The scholarship offers a fully funded doctoral package: 200 000 CHF covers three years of salary and research-related costs. ETH professors cover the fourth year and additional research expenses. Research proposals must represent new doctoral projects—not extensions of existing studies—and focus on developing technologies, methods, or tools that have a direct, measurable impact on the livelihoods of underprivileged communities in low‑income countries. Proposals should consider ecological, socio-economic, and cultural contexts and involve genuine partnerships based on the KFPE principles with institutions in target countries.
