ETH Zurich Engineering Doctoral Scholarships 2025 – Fully Funded Research Positions

Introduction

If you’re an aspiring doctoral student in engineering from Africa or Asia, the idea of doing a PhD at ETH Zurich can feel both thrilling and distant. Zurich is home to cutting-edge labs, collaborative industry links, and a culture of engineering excellence. But beyond prestige, the practical question matters most: can a student from a low- or middle-income country afford to live and do meaningful research there?

The short answer is yes — but with caveats. ETH Zurich offers targeted, fully funded opportunities—most notably the Engineering for Development (E4D) Doctoral Scholarships—that explicitly support PhD research linked to development challenges in low- and lower-middle-income countries. At the same time, ETH’s broader ecosystem of funded PhD positions (research group appointments, graduate schools, and fellowship schemes) provides many additional pathways to fully supported doctoral study. This guide walks you through both tracks, explains what they cover, how to prepare a competitive application, and what to expect if you succeed — with an emphasis on how students from Africa and Asia can shape proposals with regional impact.

ETH Zurich Engineering Doctoral Scholarships

What is the E4D Doctoral Scholarship?

The Engineering for Development (E4D) Doctoral Scholarship is ETH Zurich’s flagship instrument to support PhD projects with clear, tangible benefits for underprivileged communities in low- and lower-middle-income countries. Its mission is to fund research that doesn’t just publish in journals, but that can translate into improved livelihoods, resilient infrastructure, accessible energy, safe water, and better public services — particularly in contexts where those improvements matter most. The E4D program is designed to pair ETH’s technical strengths with real problems and local partners in developing countries.

Who is eligible?

E4D prioritizes applicants who are citizens of least-developed, low-income, and lower-middle-income countries — precisely the nations in Africa and large parts of Asia that stand to benefit most from applied engineering research. A central eligibility requirement is a confirmed supervisory commitment from an ETH professor; in practice that means you must identify and secure a willing ETH supervisor before the full application proceeds.

What does it fund?

The hallmark of E4D is a substantial grant meant to cover the doctoral student’s salary and some project costs. The scholarship provides up to CHF 200,000 to cover salary and certain research costs for the typical three-year core PhD period (with arrangements for the supervisor or department to cover the fourth year if a four-year program is needed). In simple terms, E4D finances a living stipend (on ETH salary terms) and a modest research budget so you can focus on the work rather than worrying about self-funding.

Application flow and timeline

Typical steps include:

Early contact with supervisors — identify ETH groups whose work aligns with your problem and ask if they can support an E4D proposal.
Concept note — applicants submit a short concept note for initial screening.
Full proposal — successful concept notes develop into full proposals with the supervisor.
Decision & start — awarded projects receive grant funds and the student begins the PhD under ETH supervision.

Deadlines vary across years and specific calls; interested applicants should check the official E4D pages for the current call dates and instructions.

Fully Funded Research Positions

Beyond E4D: ETH’s general PhD funding environment

ETH Zurich’s research groups and graduate schools typically advertise fully funded PhD positions. These positions are often attached to specific projects, grants, or research centers—meaning you apply directly to a posted PhD job rather than to a central graduate school. The financial package commonly includes a salary consistent with ETH doctoral pay scales, social insurance, and sometimes travel or research allowances. Salaries for full-time doctoral researchers typically align with ETH’s standard doctoral salary bands and are designed to cover living costs in Switzerland.

Types of fully funded positions

Project PhD positions: Funded by a professor’s grant or a national/international project (e.g., EU grants, SNSF-funded projects).
Graduate school slots: Organized cohorts (e.g., interdisciplinary doctoral programs) that include structured training plus funding.
Fellowships and internal ETH scholarships: Time-limited awards that can augment or cover PhD salaries and research costs.

Each route has pros and cons: E4D is mission-driven and particularly welcoming to students from targeted countries; project positions might be broader in scope and more numerous but require you to fit a pre-existing project.

Comparison: E4D vs General ETH Fully Funded PhD Positions

Feature	E4D Doctoral Scholarship	General ETH PhD Positions
Primary aim	Development impact — projects that benefit low-income communities	Academic research, innovation, industry collaboration
Target applicants	Citizens of low and lower-middle-income countries; development focus	Global applicants; depends on project
Funding	Up to CHF 200,000 for core PhD salary & some research costs	Salary per ETH doctoral pay scales, research funds depend on project/grant
Supervisor requirement	Confirmed ETH supervisor is required before full proposal	Typically a faculty posting or supervisor hires directly
Application style	Concept note then full proposal	Job application for posted PhD positions or direct contact
Best for	Students aiming to solve local development problems	Students wanting to join specific labs/projects or disciplines

Why E4D is especially relevant for Africa & Asia

Geographic focus: E4D is structured to address engineering problems faced in low-income countries. For students from rural and peri-urban communities in Africa and Asia, the program is not just accessible — it is purpose-built for impact. ETH for Development
Partnership potential: Many E4D projects include collaboration with local universities, NGOs, or public institutions—helping ensure solutions are appropriate and adoptable at home.
Career traction: For scholars who want a development-oriented academic or practitioner career (NGOs, policy bodies, national research institutes), E4D projects can provide a concrete track record of applied results.

Key insights — what matters most to selection committees

Local relevance and scalability: Committees look for projects with well-defined local partners, clear pathways to implementation, and potential to scale. A tiny lab demo without local adoption plans is weaker than a modest technological innovation backed by community trial plans.
Interdisciplinarity: Successful E4D proposals often combine engineering with social sciences, economics, or public health—because adoption relies on human, institutional, and economic considerations.
Feasibility: A compelling problem statement must be matched with pragmatic methods and a realistic timeline. Committees will ask, “Can this be done within typical PhD scope and resources?”
Supervisor fit: A supervisor who can provide strong mentorship, resources, and network access is pivotal. Their support letter and willingness to host you at ETH are heavy weighted.

How to identify the right supervisor at ETH

Read recent papers: Filter ETH faculty publications in your field; take note of methodology and problem framing.
Watch group presentations & seminars: Many ETH groups post talk videos or abstracts online—watching them gives insight into lab culture and priorities.
Tailor outreach emails: In your initial message, mention a specific paper or project, briefly describe your background, and outline 3-4 concrete ideas of how your project could contribute. Attach a short CV and a 1-page concept summary.
Be professional and persistent: Professors are busy. Send a concise follow-up if you haven’t heard back in 2-3 weeks.

Crafting a competitive Concept Note / Proposal

A strong concept note is what opens the door to the full proposal stage. Keep it tight:

Title (one line): Short, descriptive.
Problem statement (2–4 sentences): Why does this matter? Who is affected? Use a statistic or two from the target region to ground the need.
Objectives (3–5 bullet points): Be specific and measurable.
Methodology (short): What tools, experiments, or fieldwork will you use?
Impact plan (2–3 sentences): Who benefits, how will outcomes be shared, and what partners will help adoption?
Timeline & feasibility: High-level 3-year timeline with milestones.
Budget outline: Major cost lines (salary already handled by E4D, but list travel, local partners, small equipment).
Supervisor & host: Name the ETH professor and mention any local partners.

A crisp 2-page concept note that answers these points makes reviewers’ lives easy—and that’s a big plus.

Your Statement of Purpose — a simple, strong structure

Your SoP is narrative and persuasive. Structure it like this:

Hook (first paragraph): A short human vignette or observation that connects you to the problem. (“Growing up in Accra, I watched rainwater destroy small shop inventories—this inspired my interest in decentralized drainage systems.”)
Academic & practical background: Summarize your training and relevant hands-on experience.
Research idea & fit to ETH: Describe your proposed project and why the prospective supervisor and ETH are the right home.
Impact & career goals: How will the PhD position advance goals in your home region or institution?
Closing: Brief, confident summary and next steps (e.g., mention that you have secured a supervisor’s willingness to support your application, if applicable).

Use short paragraphs, concrete examples, and avoid long theoretical detours.

Common mistakes—and how to avoid them

Mistake: Ignoring local partnerships — SOLUTION: Identify at least one local research or implementing partner in your concept.
Mistake: Vague budgets — SOLUTION: Provide clear cost anchors for travel, fieldwork, and small equipment.
Mistake: One-size-fits-all outreach emails — SOLUTION: Personalize each professor email; note a specific paper or shared interest.
Mistake: Overly ambitious scope — SOLUTION: Define a clear, achievable outcome and reserve broader ambitions for future projects.

Table: Practical checklist for applying (step-by-step)

Stage	What to do	Typical timeline
Preparation	Identify 3-5 potential ETH supervisors and read their work; draft 1-page concept note	2–3 months
Outreach	Email supervisors with CV + 1-page concept; request support letter if interest exists	2–4 weeks
Concept submission	Submit the required concept note to ETH4D (if applying to E4D)	Varies by call
Full proposal	Work with supervisor to submit full proposal, including detailed timeline & budget	4–8 weeks after positive concept review
Conditional acceptance & visa prep	On approval, start visa/residency paperwork and lab onboarding	3–6 months before arrival
Start PhD	Arrive, begin coursework/lab work and meet milestones	Program start date

Real-world examples & short case sketches

(Names are anonymized; projects are paraphrased to illustrate the kind of work E4D supports.)

Water safety & community engagement in rural Nepal: A PhD combined low-cost sensor development with community training on water filter maintenance. The thesis produced both a technical device and a manual used by four community groups in pilot villages.
Solar irrigation design in East Africa: A mechanical/electrical engineering project adapted off-the-shelf pumps to local fuel and power realities, and tested scalability via a local cooperative network.
Affordable air-quality monitoring in SE Asia: A materials engineering student developed low-cost particulate sensors, validated them against reference monitors, and worked with municipal partners to pilot neighborhood monitoring.

These examples highlight the hybrid nature of successful projects: technical rigor plus implementation pathways.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I apply to ETH PhD positions if I don’t have a supervisor?
A: For most general ETH PhD jobs you apply to posted positions (which typically list a contact supervisor). For E4D you must secure a supervisor commitment at some stage—so start outreach early.

Q: Does the CHF 200,000 cover living costs?
A: The E4D grant is earmarked primarily for salary (ETH standard doctoral salary) and some project costs. ETH salaries are designed to cover living costs in Zurich, though Zurich is expensive; plan and budget accordingly.

Q: Will I be expected to return home after the PhD?
A: There’s no rigid requirement to return, but E4D emphasizes impact in the candidate’s home region; many awardees maintain strong ties to their home institutions and pursue implementation or capacity building there.

Q: Are there language requirements?
A: Most PhD programs at ETH are conducted in English; however, local partner work might benefit from proficiency in local languages. ETH will specify language expectations per program.

Q: How competitive are these awards?
A: They’re selective. A clear vision, demonstrated ties to local contexts, and strong supervisor support significantly improve odds.

Life at ETH: what to expect (practicalities & culture)

Living costs: Zurich is among Europe’s more expensive cities. Salaries reflect this, but careful budgeting matters (housing is the biggest cost).
Academic culture: ETH prizes independence, rigorous methodology, and collaboration. Expect high expectations balanced by strong mentorship in good groups.
Networking: ETH’s industrial partners, international workshops, and cross-disciplinary centers create avenues for collaboration beyond the thesis.
Support services: ETH provides administrative help for visas, housing tips, and integration programs for international doctoral students.

A realistic timeline for applicants from Africa & Asia

12+ months before start: Identify supervisors; begin concept notes.
6–9 months before start: Apply to E4D or specific PhD postings, secure any institutional letters.
3–6 months before start: Visa paperwork, accommodation, and pre-departure planning.
Arrival & first year: Set milestones, conduct foundational coursework or lab setup, and finalize fieldwork protocols.

Conclusion — why consider ETH (and how to increase your chances)

ETH Zurich offers a rare combination: world-class engineering expertise and, through instruments like E4D, targeted support to ensure research translates into meaningful development outcomes. For applicants from Africa and Asia, E4D is not a generic scholarship — it’s an invitation to build scholarship with direct regional relevance. To make the most of it:

Start early and build credible local partnerships.
Secure a strong supervisor who champions your idea.
Keep your project feasible, measured, and focused on impact.
Tell a story in your SoP that links personal motivation to technical competence.

If you can check those boxes, ETH can be a transformative home for both your doctorate and the communities you aim to serve.