Looking for funded Master’s research in Switzerland? The CYD Master Thesis Fellowship 2027 provides up to CHF 16,500 in financial support, expert supervision through EPFL and the CYD Campus, and a rolling application process. If your research focuses on cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, privacy, or data science, this competitive fellowship can help you complete your Master’s thesis while working alongside Switzerland’s cyber-defence research community.
CYD Master Thesis Fellowship 2027-Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Host Country | Switzerland |
| Host Institution | EPFL & CYD Campus |
| Program | CYD Master Thesis Fellowship |
| Degree Level | Master’s Thesis |
| Funding | CHF 2,500/month living allowance (6 months) + up to CHF 1,500 research support |
| Duration | Maximum 6 months |
| Application Deadline | Rolling Call for Proposals |
| Eligible Nationalities | All nationalities |
| Application Status | Open Now |
About the CYD Switzerland Master Thesis Fellowship
The CYD Master Thesis Fellowship supports outstanding master’s students conducting research at the intersection of cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data science, and digital trust. The fellowship enables selected students to complete their master’s thesis at the CYD Campus while remaining enrolled at a Swiss higher education institution. The program aims to strengthen cyber-defence research by connecting university researchers with experts from the Swiss cyber-defence ecosystem.
Entity Snapshot
- The CYD Master Thesis Fellowship is jointly offered by EPFL and the CYD Campus.
- The CYD Campus is created by the Swiss Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport.
- The fellowship is supported by armasuisse Science and Technology.
- Selected fellows are jointly supervised by a Swiss university professor and a CYD Campus researcher.
Research Areas for EPFL Fellowship in Switzerland
Applicants should work in research related to one or more of the following fields:
- Cybersecurity
- Cyber-physical systems
- Confidentiality, integrity and availability of digital systems
- Artificial Intelligence
- Data Science
- Information sharing
- Data fusion
- Crowdsourcing
- Privacy technologies
- Digital trust technologies
Applicants may:
- Select one of the official CYD Campus thesis topics, or
- Propose their own research topic by selecting “Other” during application.
Who Can Apply for CYD Master Thesis Fellowship 2027?
Applicants from every nationality may apply provided they are currently enrolled in a Master’s degree at a Swiss higher education institution and have supervision from a professor employed at that institution. Academic excellence remains the primary selection criterion.
Eligibility Requirements
You must:
- Hold any nationality.
- Have no age restriction.
- Be enrolled in a Master’s programme at a Swiss university or university of applied sciences.
- Obtain endorsement from a professor or supervisor employed at your institution.
- Demonstrate excellent academic performance.
- Show strong professional or research achievements.
Applications that violate research integrity or good scientific practice are not considered.
Application Process for CYD Master Scholarships in Switzerland
Step 1: Read the official application guidelines for CYD Switzerland Master in Europe 2027.
CYD Master Thesis Fellowship 2027 Application Guidelines
Step 2: Choose an official CYD Master Thesis topic or prepare your own proposal for fully funded International Scholarship.
Explore the Application toolkit for Master CYD Fellowships
Step 3: Submit your Stage 1 application online along with all required Stage 1 documents.
Apply Now for CYD Master Thesis Fellowship 2027
Step 4: If shortlisted:
- Contact your assigned prospective mentor within 48 hours
- Schedule the required interview
Careers Help Desk Application Strategy
This fellowship places exceptional weight on academic excellence. Strong transcripts alone are not enough.
Improve your application by:
- Choosing a research topic that clearly aligns with CYD priorities.
- Demonstrating measurable research experience.
- Writing a concise motivation letter focused on impact rather than general interest.
- Contacting referees well before submission.
- Preparing for the mentor interview because endorsement determines progression to Stage 2.
Applicants proposing their own research topic should clearly explain novelty, feasibility, expected milestones, and relevance to Swiss cyber-defence priorities.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Waiting until the last minute to contact referees.
- Ignoring the English language document requirement.
- Submitting a project proposal when selecting an official thesis topic.
- Missing the 48-hour mentor interview scheduling deadline after shortlisting.
- Requesting research funding for general IT equipment.
- Uploading documents in formats other than PDF.
Fellowship Benefits
Selected fellows receive:
Living Allowance
- CHF 2,500 per month
- Maximum duration: 6 months
- Total living support:
- CHF 15,000
The allowance is paid as a gross salary for EPFL students and is subject to Swiss social contributions.
Research Funding
Applicants may also receive:
- Up to CHF 1,500
- Available only for project-specific research equipment
- General IT equipment is not eligible
- Funding requires justification during the fellowship
Maximum verified financial support
| Benefit | Amount |
| Living allowance | CHF 15,000 |
| Research support | Up to CHF 1,500 |
| Total Available Funding | Up to CHF 16,500 |
Apply Now- Study in Switzerland for Free
The CYD Master Thesis Fellowship 2027 offers one of Switzerland’s strongest research opportunities for master’s students working in cybersecurity, AI, and data science. Besides financial support of up to CHF 16,500, fellows gain direct access to the CYD Campus research ecosystem while completing their master’s thesis under joint academic supervision. Because applications remain open on a rolling basis, you should prepare your documents early and submit as soon as your research proposal is ready.
Official Source: CYD Master Thesis Fellowship 2027 Call for Applications
Frequently Asked Questions
Can international students apply?
Yes. Citizens of every nationality are eligible, provided they meet the Swiss university enrollment requirement.
Is IELTS required?
No. The official source does not specify any English language test requirement. All application documents, however, must be submitted in English.
Do I need to study at a Swiss university?
Yes. Applicants must already be enrolled in a Master’s programme at a higher education institution in Switzerland.
Is there an age limit?
No. The fellowship has no age restrictions.
When is the application deadline?
The call is rolling. Applications are accepted continuously through the Rolling Call for Proposals.
How much funding can I receive?
Up to CHF 16,500. This includes a living allowance of CHF 2,500 per month for six months plus up to CHF 1,500 in eligible research costs.
Alternative Global Opportunities
- If you want a fully funded PhD instead of a master’s thesis, consider the International PhD Scholarships 2027 worldwide.
- If your research focuses on cybersecurity but you have already completed a master’s degree, explore the International Research Fellowship 2027.
- If you are searching for a fully funded graduate scholarship in Switzerland or Europe, read Latest Scholarships abroad 2027.
Stay connected with Careers Help Desk for the latest international fellowships, scholarships, and research opportunities to empower your future!
0 Comments