Want to advance your AI research in Switzerland while collaborating with leading researchers at EPFL? The EPFL AI Center and Swiss AI Initiative Postdoctoral Fellowship offers researchers an opportunity to develop their own interdisciplinary research agenda with support from multiple EPFL laboratories.
The third call is now open, and researchers of all nationalities can apply. But there is one important requirement: you must secure the support of two eligible EPFL faculty hosts before submitting your application.
Quick Facts
- Opportunity Type: Postdoctoral Fellowship
- Host Institution: EPFL AI Center and Swiss AI Initiative
- Host University: École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
- Location: Lausanne, Switzerland
- Duration: Up to 2 years
- Mode: Full-time research; on-site arrangements should be confirmed with the host laboratories
- Nationality: Open to all nationalities
- Age Limit: No age restriction
- Minimum Degree Required: PhD in Computer Science, Physics, Engineering, Applied Mathematics or another field relevant to Artificial Intelligence
- Work Experience Required: No separate minimum work-experience requirement stated; applicants must demonstrate strong academic and research achievements
- PhD Completion Requirement: The PhD must have been awarded no more than 2 years before the application deadline. Final-year PhD candidates may apply if they complete their doctorate before starting the fellowship.
- Research Areas: Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, AI for Science, interdisciplinary AI applications and responsible AI
- Stipend / Salary / Financial Support: The fellowship contributes approximately 50% of the postdoctoral researcher’s salary, with the remaining portion covered by the host EPFL laboratories under EPFL salary scales
- Research and Travel Support: Up to CHF 5,000 per fellowship year for eligible research expenses, open-access publications, travel and conferences, subject to budget approval
- Tuition Fee: This is a postdoctoral research appointment, not a degree-admission scholarship
- Application Fee: No application fee
- Application Deadline: 9 November 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Central European Time (CET)
- Official Website: https://www.epfl.ch/research/funding/epfl-programmes/ai-center/
What Is the EPFL AI Center Postdoctoral Fellowship?
The EPFL AI Center is a hub for artificial intelligence research at EPFL. Through this fellowship programme, supported in part by the Swiss AI Initiative, researchers can pursue ambitious AI projects while working across multiple laboratories.
The programme is designed for researchers who want to go beyond a single research group and explore how AI can advance scientific discovery and real-world applications.
Selected fellows will develop an interdisciplinary research agenda with at least two EPFL laboratories led by faculty members affiliated with the EPFL AI Center. They will also have opportunities to participate in the centre’s research community and strategic initiatives.
What Does the Fellowship Cover?
The fellowship provides salary support and a contribution towards eligible research expenses.
1. Postdoctoral salary support
The programme contributes approximately 50% of the fellow’s salary each year. The host EPFL laboratories cover the remaining portion, with salary arrangements following EPFL’s applicable scales and employment guidelines.
This is a salary-supported research position, rather than a fixed cash grant paid entirely to the fellow.
2. Research and conference expenses
Fellows may receive up to CHF 5,000 per fellowship year for eligible expenses, including:
- Research costs and open research data expenses.
- Open-access publication costs.
- Research travel and conference participation.
These expenses must be justified in the budget and financial reporting. Additional research or travel costs must be covered by the host professors.
3. Research infrastructure
Host laboratories commit to providing the infrastructure needed for the research, such as office or laboratory space, equipment and administrative support.
Are There Any Hidden Charges?
The official call does not list a mandatory application fee. However, it does not promise universal reimbursement of every personal expense.
Before accepting an offer, applicants should clarify relocation assistance, visa or residence-permit expenses, travel to Switzerland and any other costs not explicitly covered by the fellowship or host laboratory.
Remember that the fellowship covers a contribution to salary, while the host laboratories fund the remainder. Do not interpret the CHF 5,000 annual research budget as additional unrestricted personal income.
Who Can Apply?
The programme welcomes researchers from all nationalities and has no age restriction. Applications are encouraged from outstanding researchers at the postdoctoral level.
You may be eligible if you meet the following conditions:
Academic qualifications
You must have a PhD in one of the following areas, or another discipline relevant to AI:
- Computer Science
- Physics
- Engineering
- Applied Mathematics
- Another AI-relevant scientific or technical field
Your PhD must have been awarded no more than two years before the application deadline.
Final-year doctoral students can also apply, provided they successfully complete their PhD before starting the fellowship.
Research excellence
The programme is competitive and evaluates applicants on academic records, research achievements and the quality of their proposed project.
Your proposal should demonstrate scientific excellence, originality, a strong research methodology and meaningful potential impact.
Two EPFL faculty hosts are required
Before applying, you must contact potential host professors affiliated with the EPFL AI Center and secure the support of two faculty hosts.
Discuss your proposed research collaboration with them before submitting your application. This is an essential eligibility and preparation step, not something to leave until after applying.
Priority is given to external candidates, although eligible senior PhD students and junior postdoctoral researchers already at EPFL may also apply.
What Research Topics Are Suitable?
Your proposed research should align with the EPFL AI Center’s activities or the Swiss AI Initiative.
Potential areas include:
- Machine learning methods and algorithms.
- AI for scientific discovery.
- AI applications in engineering and other scientific disciplines.
- Responsible and ethical AI.
- Interdisciplinary research combining AI with other fields.
Your project should explain what you want to investigate, why it matters, how you plan to approach it and how collaboration between the two host laboratories will strengthen the work.
How to Apply
Follow these steps to prepare a competitive application.
Step 1: Read the official call guidelines.
Review the application toolkit, requirements and templates on the EPFL AI Center fellowship page.
Step 2: Identify two potential host professors.
Find faculty members affiliated with the EPFL AI Center whose research interests align with your proposed project.
Step 3: Contact the professors.
Send your CV and a short abstract outlining your proposed research. Discuss whether they are willing to support a collaborative application.
Step 4: Develop your research proposal.
Build a clear plan with original research objectives, a suitable methodology, expected impact and a feasible work plan.
Step 5: Prepare the required documents.
Use the official application toolkit and follow its document and formatting instructions. Applications must be submitted in English.
Step 6: Submit before the deadline.
Submit the completed application through the official online platform by 9 November 2026 at 5:00 p.m. CET.
Application Deadline
The deadline for the third call is 9 November 2026 at 5:00 p.m. CET.
Do not wait until the final day to approach potential host professors. Their support must be secured before the application is submitted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the EPFL AI Center Postdoctoral Fellowship fully funded?
The programme provides salary support, with the fellowship contributing approximately 50% and the host laboratories covering the remainder. It also offers up to CHF 5,000 per year for eligible research and travel expenses. It is best described as a salary-supported postdoctoral fellowship, rather than a standalone grant that independently covers every cost.
Can international applicants apply?
Yes. Applicants of all nationalities are eligible, and there is no age restriction.
Can I apply if I am still completing my PhD?
Yes. Final-year PhD students may apply if they complete their doctorate before the fellowship begins.
Do I need to find a supervisor before applying?
Yes. You must secure support from two EPFL AI Center-affiliated faculty hosts before submitting your application.
Is there an application fee?
No mandatory application fee is stated in the official call. Check the official application instructions for any updated requirements.
How long is the fellowship?
The fellowship can run for up to two years.
Does the fellowship guarantee relocation or visa funding?
The official call does not guarantee universal coverage of visa, relocation or all personal expenses. Clarify these arrangements with the host professors and EPFL before accepting an offer.
Apply Through the Official Website
If you have a strong research background in AI or a related scientific field and an ambitious interdisciplinary project, this fellowship could be a valuable opportunity to build your research career in Switzerland.
Start by reviewing the official guidelines and identifying potential faculty collaborators.
Official programme page: https://www.epfl.ch/research/funding/epfl-programmes/ai-center/
Application deadline: 9 November 2026, 5:00 p.m. CET.
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