The Branco Weiss Fellowship
For postdocs in the natural and social sciences and engineering, this fellowship offers five years of funding and exceptional opportunities to pursue independent research anywhere in the world.
Application deadline: 15 January 2023
Overview and aims
The aim of this fellowship is to give early-stage researchers the resources they need to pursue independent research that falls outside the scope of large-scale research projects with a high degree of mobility and independence.
Applicant eligibility
Applicants must hold a PhD by the time of the application deadline and must have been awarded their PhD no more than five years before the application deadline. Research projects must fall outside the scope of mainstream research within the applicant's discipline and the applicant must have an outstanding record of achievement.
Field of research
Natural and social sciences and engineering
Duration
5 years
Evaluation criteria
Five main criteria are used to evaluate applications:
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Scientific excellence. Scientists with determination and imagination, who can excel within academic environments while still pursuing original research projects outside of the mainstream designed to make an impact.
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Independent research. Successful applications are those that do not seek to pursue follow-up projects or research that can find support from mainstream sources. This fellowship seeks independently conceived projects that are outside of traditional research silos.
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Intellectual curiosity and social commitment. One aim of this fellowship is to open up new fields, which often requires bridging fields.
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Communication. Branco Weiss Fellowship scholars are passionate communicators who engage in dialogue with peers, scientists in other disciplines, and society at large.
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Mobility. This fellowship encourages recipients to pursue their projects at the best location for their research.
Funding
100,000 CHF (Swiss Francs) per year, to cover all legitimate research costs.