# Funding for PhD Researchers

**Source**: https://www.research.uzh.ch/en/funding/phd.html
**Parent**: https://www.internationals.uzh.ch/en/study.html

## Table of contents

- [1. PhD / Research at UZH](#1._PhD_/_Research_at_UZH)
- [2 Research Stay Abroad](#2_Research_Stay_Abroad)
- [3. Further funding opportunities for PhD's](#_3._Further_funding_opportunities_for_PhD's_)

### The question of whether and how to do a doctorate depends to a large extent on how to finance it. Basically, there are two possibilities: through a employment at UZH or by pursuing a professional activity outside the university.

### Employment at the University can take place in different ways: You have the opportunity to apply for a position as an assistant or doctoral candidate. Information about open doctoral positions is best obtained directly from your supervisor or on the [UZH job platform](https://www.uzh.ch/cmsssl/en/explore/work/jobs.html). Or you can raise funds independently to finance your doctorate. Below you will find funding instruments where doctoral researchers can apply for fellowships or a project funds.

## 1. PhD / Research at UZH

The following opportunities enable you to fully or partially finance your doctoral research at UZH. This overview is not exhaustive. Be sure to inquire about specific funding opportunities in your department or faculty.

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| [UZH Candoc Grant](https://www.research.uzh.ch/en/funding/phd/uzhcandoc.html) | The University of Zurich supports research projects of PhD researchers. |
| FAN Academic Excellence Fellowship | By means of Academic Excellence Fellowships, the FAN helps outstanding, innovative young talents to decide at an early stage to pursue an academic career and to follow it with determination and focus. |
| [Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships](https://www.sbfi.admin.ch/en/swiss-government-excellence-scholarships) | With these scholarships, foreign PhD students and postdoctoral researchers in all disciplines can fund a research stay at a Swiss higher education institution (starting in the 2027/28 academic year, postdoctoral fellowships will no longer be awarded). |
| [SEMP (Formerly Erasmus) and International Agreements](http://www.int.uzh.ch/en/in/program.html) | PhD students can arrange a stay at UZH via the Swiss-European Mobility Program (formerly Erasmus) or via other international agreements. |

## 2 Research Stay Abroad

Mobility experience is of great importance for a academic career. The following programmes offer financial support for a stay abroad during doctoral research.

|  |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| [UZH Doc.Mobility](https://www.research.uzh.ch/en/funding/phd/uzh-doc-mobility.html) | With a UZH Doc.Mobility grant, PhD researchers can fund a stay abroad of 6 to 12 months. |  |
| [GRC Travel Grants](https://www.grc.uzh.ch/en/funding/grc-new-grants/travel-grant-apply.html) | The Graduate Campus supports short research stays abroad. |  |
| [Mobility Grants for SNSF Projects](http://www.snf.ch/en/funding/supplementary-measures/mobility-grants-in-projects/Pages/default.aspx) | PhD researchers who are employed in an SNSF-funded research project can apply for a grant to finance a stay abroad of 6 to 12 months. |
| [SEMP (Formerly Erasmus) and International Agreements](http://www.int.uzh.ch/en/out.html) | PhD researchers can arrange a stay abroad via the Swiss-European Mobility Program (formerly Erasmus) or via other international agreements. |
| [Foreign Government Scholarships](https://www.swissuniversities.ch/en/service/scholarships-for-study-abroad/government-scholarships) | Roughly 40 countries award grants to PhD students and postdoctoral researchers for a stay abroad. |
| [UZH Global Strategy  and Partnerships Funding Scheme](https://www.global.uzh.ch/en/global_university/funding-instruments/partnerships-fund.html) | The UZH Global Strategy and Partnerships Funding Scheme supports UZH faculties, departments and professional service units in pursuing joint collaboration initiatives with specific partner universities of UZH. |

## 3. Further funding opportunities for PhD's

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| [GRC Grants](https://www.grc.uzh.ch/en/funding/grc-new-grants.html) | The Graduate Campus funds early career researchers' scientific activities. |
| [FAN Awards for early career researchers](https://www.grc.uzh.ch/en/engagement/awards.html) | Advanced PhD candidates and early postdoctoral researchers at UZH are honored for their outstanding scientific achievements with the FAN Awards for early career researchers. |
| [DIZH Innovation Program](https://dizh.ch/en/activities/innovationprogram/) | The University of Zurich (UZH), the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK) and the Zurich University of Teacher Education (PHZH) are networking in DIZH to promote research on topics related to digital transformation. |
| [BRIDGE Proof of Concept](https://www.bridge.ch/en/OUlwVr73Qg55dJtK/page/funding/proof-of-concept) | BRIDGE (a joint program conducted by SNSF and Innosuisse) supports projects at the intersection of basic research and science-based innovation. BRIDGE Proof of Concept is aimed at young researchers who wish to develop an application or service based on their research results. |
| [Science Booster](https://wemakeit.com/pages/science?locale=en) | Launch a crowdfunding campaign for your scientific project and double the target amount with the Science Booster. |
| [Cotutelle de thèse](https://www.global.uzh.ch/en/global_services/international_collaboration_agreements/cotutelle.html) | In some cases, it is a good idea to pursue your doctoral degree at a university abroad. It is also possible to earn your doctorate at two universities: In a [cotutelle de thèse](https://www.global.uzh.ch/en/global_services/international_collaboration_agreements/cotutelle.html) program, PhD researchers can be enrolled in two universities at the same time. The program requires students to spend at least a third of the time at the partner university; upon completion of the degree, both universities will issue a diploma. |

## Additional Information

### Individual Support

**Research & Grants Office**\
Hirschengraben 48\
8001 Zurich

The staff of the **Research & Grants Office** will be happy to support your inquiry for possible sources of funding.

[Mail](mailto:support@research.uzh.ch)\
Phone +41 44 634 53 50

### Further Sources of Funding

- [Access to Pivot RP (via VPN)](https://pivot.proquest.com/dashboard "Access to Pivot RP (via VPN)")
- [Index of Swiss Foundations (in German)](https://www.esa.admin.ch/de/stiftungsverzeichnis "Index of Swiss Foundations (in German)")
- [Index of UZH Foundations (in German)](http://www.researchers.uzh.ch/static/fnf/stiftungen/ "Index of UZH Foundations (in German)")
- [Index of Regional Foundations](https://ceps.unibas.ch/en/transfer-into-practice/foundation-indexes/ "Index of Regional Foundations")
- [Scholarshipportal](http://www.scholarshipportal.com "Scholarshipportal")
- [Fundraiso](https://www.fundraiso.ch/en/ "Fundraiso")
- [research.swiss](https://research.swiss/ "research.swiss")

### Further Information for PhD Researchers

- [UZH Graduate Campus](https://www.grc.uzh.ch/en.html "UZH Graduate Campus")
- [UZH for International Students and Scholars](https://www.internationals.uzh.ch/en.html "UZH for International Students and Scholars")
- [Open Jobs at UZH](https://www.uzh.ch/cmsssl/en/explore/work/jobs.html "Open Jobs at UZH")
- [UZH Career Services](https://www.careerservices.uzh.ch/en.html "UZH Career Services")