The Branco Weiss Fellowship – Society in Science
The Branco Weiss Fellowship – Society in Science supports postdoctoral researchers worldwide to pursue independent research beyond the mainstream and engage across disciplines and with society.
Browse similar grants
Funder: The Branco Weiss Fellowship – Society in Science
Due Dates: January 15, 2027 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Up to CHF 600,000 over a maximum of five years
Summary: Supports outstanding postdoctoral researchers worldwide to pursue independent projects beyond mainstream research and engage across disciplines and with society.
Key Information: Current and former faculty-equivalent researchers, and scientists with permanent employment, are ineligible.
Description
The Branco Weiss Fellowship – Society in Science supports exceptional postdoctoral researchers pursuing personal scientific visions beyond the mainstream. Founded in 2002, the program is run by its Directorate and administered through ETH Zurich. It covers all disciplines, including natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, and humanities, and allows fellows to work at suitable academic institutions anywhere in the world.
The fellowship prioritizes original research, scientific independence, outstanding achievement, and willingness to engage with social, cultural, political, or economic issues beyond disciplinary boundaries. Projects should benefit from the program’s unusual freedom rather than follow mainstream research readily supported elsewhere. Fellows join an international research community, with an annual symposium in Zurich providing opportunities to share projects and exchange ideas.
