Engineering for Development E4D Doctoral Scholarships 2026/2027 for Students from Developing Countries

Engineering for Development E4D Doctoral Scholarships 2026/2027 for Students from Developing Countries. Apply below

Application Deadline: 22nd February 2026

About the E4D Doctoral Scholarships: The ETH4D Doctoral Scholarship Programme supports scholars from low- and lower-middle-income countries to conduct research at ETH, particularly on (but not limited to) innovations that have the potential to improve the lives of people in poorer regions of the world.

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After their doctoral studies, fellows have excellent prospects of becoming leaders in sustainable development by taking up important positions in academia, policy or industry, or by putting research into practice through entrepreneurship.

Type: Scholarship, PhD

Who Can Apply: 

The applicant

• 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.
• Applicants must be citizens of least developed, low-, or lower-middle-income countries
  according to the current DAC list of ODA recipients. Applications from least-developed
  and low-income countries will be prioritized.

2.2 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 financial contribution to the project. Supervisors must contribute the remaining salary costs of a four-year PhD not covered by the scholarship.

2.3 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 ongoing research
• Priority will be given to projects which develop methods, technologies, tools or products
  that generate a direct impact for underprivileged people in low-income countries, and
  which take into account the ecological, socio-economic, and cultural context

The partnership

• Projects must include partner(s) from “least developed,” “low income,” and “lower middle
  income” countries on the current DAC list of ODA recipients.
• Partnerships must be based in the Guide for Global Research Partnerships published
  by the GRP Alliance.
• All partners are involved in project formulation and development.
• All partners make a substantial in-kind or cash commitment.
• The project must be integrated in the general activities of the involved institutions.

Which Countries are Eligible: “least developed,” “low income,” and “lower middle
income” countries on the current DAC list of ODA recipients.

To Be Taken At (Country): Switzerland

Number of Awards: Not specified

Value of E4D Doctoral Scholarships: The grant sum covers 200’000 CHF of salary and research costs towards a four-year PhD. ETH professors cover the remaining costs (typically amounting to the fourth year of the PhD). 

How to Apply: Submit your completed Concept Note Application Form 2026 (DOCX, 39 KB) by 22 February, 2026. 

The concept note application must include:

• Completed Concept Note Application Form 2026 (DOCX, 39 KB)
• CV of the candidate (max. 2 pages)
• Motivation letter of the candidate with career intentions
• Excellent MSc degree from a recognised university and grade transcripts
• 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
• Reference letters, to be sent direclty by the letter’s author to ETH4D at francis.baranyk@nadel.ethz.ch:
  • Support letter of the supervising professor at ETH Zurich, stating commitment to cover remaining salary costs of the four-year PhD
  • Letters of support from any involved partner institutions, stating their interest in the research and any in-kind or financial commitment to the project
  • Two (2) reference letters from your field of research

Please refer to the Eligibility and Criteria Document (PDF, 221 KB) before applying. 

Visit Programme Webpage for Details