ETH Policy Fellowship

The ETH Policy Fellowship is a tailored programme of ETH Zurich for executives from the public sector with the goal of strengthening the dialogue-​based exchange and networking between policymakers and ETH researchers.

In the spirit of knowledge transfer in the service of society, ETH Zurich aims to bridge the gap between researchers and policymakers through this offer, thereby helping them to address societal challenges through sustainable, effective, and evidence-​informed solutions.

The ETH Policy Fellowship is offered and organized by the Science-​Policy Interface of ETH Zurich. external page The Swiss Federal Office of Personnel (FOPER) supports this offer as a partner.

By tailoring the programme to the individual needs and interests of the participants, the ETH Policy Fellowship contributes to capacity-​building, networking, and mutual understanding between policymakers and ETH researchers.

Engaging in a range of dialogue-​driven activities allows participants to broaden their professional networks, stay abreast of cutting-​edge research findings, and collaboratively identify solutions to specific policy challenges with subject matter experts.

Concurrently, it provides an avenue for participants to raise awareness of their specific concerns with ETH researchers.

The programme consists of 7 working days spread over a period of 6 to 7 months between September and February.

Activities that can be offered as part of the ETH Policy Fellowship:

• One-​to-one meetings with researchers from ETH Zurich
• Exchanges with research groups and students
• Participation in relevant workshops and events
• «Food for Thought» events that are organized for the fellowship cohort to intensify the exchange among participants and provide interdisciplinary impulses.

• Policymakers in a broader sense, e.g., employees from the Federal Administration, cantons, public institutions, international organizations, and NPOs/NGOs
• Management position with either personnel and/or a specialist responsibility, thereby in charge of different policy areas
• Many years of experience in managing policy affairs
• Ideally "mid-​career"
• Interest in interdisciplinary, science-​based dialogue on policy issues with researchers

The participation fee is CHF 2'500 per person (plus VAT for persons outside of the Swiss Federal Administration). This fee covers all activities offered as part of the programme.

Any other associated costs such as travel, accommodation, and meals are not covered by the programme and must be borne by the participants or their employers.

There is no employment relationship between the participants of the ETH Policy Fellowship and ETH Zurich.

Application process for employees of the Swiss Federal Administration

Employees of the Swiss Federal Administration need to apply through an online form of the Swiss Federal Office of Personnel FOPER that will be published here once the application window for the 2026-2027 run of the programme opens.

Ms. Simona Casola, Specialist in personnel policy projects and affairs at Swiss Federal Office of Personnel FOPER (), is the contact person for questions and information for employees of the Federal Administration.

Application window for all other persons

All other persons that do not work for the Swiss Federal Administration can send their application, once the application window opens, directly to the ETH Science-Policy Interface team.

The following documents are required for the application:

• Curriculum vitae
• Brief letter of motivation with specific questions on policy issues that the participant would like to address during the programme

Please send your application documents to Mr. Cédric Bolli, Programme Manager Science & Policy ().

Kindly note that the number of participants is limited. An application does not guarantee acceptance into the programme. There is no entitlement to admission.