Deadline: March 30, 2026
The ETH4D Doctoral Mentorship Grants 2026 provide a unique opportunity for doctoral candidates and master’s students from eligible developing countries to strengthen their research capacity through structured mentorship and a funded research stay at ETH Zurich, Switzerland.
This prestigious programme is offered by ETH for Development (ETH4D) and is designed to support early-career researchers whose work contributes to sustainable development and global challenges.
About the ETH4D Doctoral Mentorship Grants 2026
The ETH4D Doctoral Mentorship Grants 2026 offer a one-year mentorship programme that connects selected mentees with experienced ETH professors, senior scientists, or postdoctoral researchers. The mentorship focuses on advancing doctoral research, strengthening academic skills, and fostering long-term research collaboration.
A core component of the programme is a short research stay at ETH Zurich, allowing mentees to access world-class research facilities, academic networks, and expert guidance.
Duration and Research Stay
- Mentorship duration: 1 year
- Research stay at ETH Zurich: 1–3 months during the mentorship period
The research stay is tailored to support the mentee’s doctoral or master’s research objectives and work plan.
Financial Support and Grant Coverage
Successful applicants may receive funding of up to CHF 10,000, covering essential costs related to the mentorship and research stay.
The grant may cover:
- Economy round-trip airfare to and from Switzerland (up to approximately CHF 1,500)
- Accommodation during the stay at ETH Zurich
- Monthly living allowance (approximately CHF 850)
- Visa application fees
- Local transportation in Zurich
- Research-related expenses
- Conference participation (where relevant and justified)
Eligibility Criteria
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be a doctoral candidate or master’s student
- Be enrolled at a recognised university or research institution
- Be based in a least-developed, low-income, or lower-middle-income country, according to the OECD DAC list
- Have a research focus aligned with development-related challenges
Applicants from upper-middle-income countries are generally not eligible.
Additional Notes
- Applicants from certain countries may be subject to security screening before travelling to Switzerland
- The screening process is independent and not managed by ETH4D
Application Requirements
Applicants are required to submit a complete and well-structured application package, typically including:
- A completed online application form
- A detailed budget using the official ETH4D budget template
- Letters of support, including:
- One academic reference
- A letter from the hosting ETH mentor
- A single compiled PDF document containing:
- Project description
- Work plan with timeline
- Motivation letter
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Academic transcripts
- Doctoral project proposal (if available)
Incomplete or poorly structured applications may not be considered.
Application Deadline
📅 30 March 2026
Early preparation is strongly encouraged, especially for applicants who need to secure an ETH mentor before submitting their application.
Why Apply for the ETH4D Doctoral Mentorship Grants 2026?
- Access to world-class academic mentorship at ETH Zurich
- Financial support for international research collaboration
- Enhanced doctoral research quality and global visibility
- Opportunities to build long-term academic and professional networks
- Contribution to research addressing global development challenges
Support for Proposal Drafting and Review
Need help with proposal drafting, refining, or review?
Our team provides professional support to strengthen applications, improve clarity, align proposals with funder expectations, and maximise success rates.
👉 Contact us for proposal drafting, refining, and review support.
