EPFL AI Center and Swiss AI Initiative Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026
Details
EPFL AI Center and Swiss AI Initiative Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026
The EPFL AI Center and Swiss AI Initiative Postdoctoral Fellowship offers an excellent opportunity for outstanding early-career researchers to pursue cutting-edge artificial intelligence research at EPFL (École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne) in Switzerland.
The fellowship supports interdisciplinary AI research and allows researchers to collaborate with at least two EPFL laboratories led by faculty members affiliated with the EPFL AI Center. Fellows also have significant freedom to develop their own research agenda while participating in the wider AI Center research community.
The third call is currently open, with applications due by 9 November 2026 at 17:00 CET.
Quick Facts
- Fellowship: EPFL AI Center and Swiss AI Initiative Postdoctoral Fellowship
- Institution: EPFL
- Location: Lausanne, Switzerland
- Field: Artificial Intelligence and related disciplines
- Level: Postdoctoral / final-year PhD
- Duration: Up to 2 years
- Funding: Approximately 50% of the postdoctoral salary contribution, with the remaining salary covered by host laboratories
- Research funding: Up to CHF 5,000 per fellowship year
- Nationality: All nationalities eligible
- Age limit: No age restriction
- Application deadline: 9 November 2026, 17:00 CET
About the EPFL AI Center Fellowship
The EPFL AI Center is a major hub for artificial intelligence research at EPFL, supporting strategic AI initiatives and large-scale collaborative research projects.
The postdoctoral fellowship is designed to promote scientific excellence, interdisciplinary collaboration and responsible AI research. Fellows can work across multiple laboratories and develop independent research agendas while contributing to AI Center activities.
The programme aims to:
- Advance cutting-edge AI research
- Develop responsible and ethical AI
- Address issues such as bias, privacy and fairness
- Encourage interdisciplinary collaboration
- Prepare the next generation of AI research leaders
- Build connections across the EPFL AI research community
Fellowship Benefits
Selected researchers receive financial and research support through the programme.
Salary Support
The fellowship contributes approximately 50% of the postdoctoral researcher’s salary per year, according to EPFL salary scales. The remaining portion is covered by the participating EPFL host laboratories.
Research and Conference Support
Fellows can receive up to CHF 5,000 per fellowship year for eligible expenses, including:
- Research costs
- Open research data
- Open-access publication costs
- Travel
- Conferences
Additional research expenses may be supported by the host professors where appropriate.
Research Infrastructure
Host laboratories provide the infrastructure required for the research, including office or laboratory space, equipment and administrative support.
Research Focus
The programme supports research that advances the capabilities and applications of AI across scientific disciplines.
EPFL’s AI research ecosystem covers areas including:
- Machine learning
- AI algorithms and methods
- AI applications in science and technology
- Responsible and ethical AI
- AI safety and evaluation
- Interdisciplinary AI research
- AI applications in health and other strategic domains
The EPFL AI Center emphasizes collaboration across laboratories and scientific fields rather than restricting fellows to a single research group.
Who Can Apply?
The fellowship is primarily intended for outstanding postdoctoral researchers and senior PhD students.
Applicants must:
- Hold a PhD in computer science, physics, engineering, applied mathematics or another field relevant to artificial intelligence.
- Have obtained the PhD no more than two years before the application deadline.
- Be in the final year of a doctoral programme, provided the PhD will be completed before the fellowship begins.
- Have support from two EPFL host professors affiliated with the EPFL AI Center.
- Demonstrate excellent academic and professional achievements.
- Submit only one application.
Applicants from outside EPFL are given priority, although eligible senior PhD students and junior postdoctoral researchers already at EPFL may also apply.
The programme is open to all nationalities and has no age restriction. Applications from candidates of all genders and backgrounds are encouraged.
Important: Find Two EPFL Host Professors
One of the most important requirements is identifying two EPFL AI Center-affiliated faculty members who are willing to support the proposed research.
Applicants should contact potential professors, discuss their research interests and agree on a possible collaboration before submitting the fellowship application.
Therefore, prospective applicants should begin contacting potential supervisors well before the application deadline.
How Are Applications Evaluated?
Applications are assessed by an evaluation committee composed of experts in AI-related research.
The main evaluation criteria include:
Scientific Excellence
- Originality and novelty of the research
- Quality of the proposed methodology
- Applicant’s expertise and experience
- Fit with the fellowship’s research objectives
Research Impact
- Potential contribution to AI
- Relevance and practical impact
- Potential for collaboration with EPFL research groups
- Contribution to the EPFL AI Center community
Feasibility
The committee also considers whether the proposed project is realistic in terms of resources, organization and implementation.
Required Application
Applicants must submit their documents through the official online application platform.
All application documents must be submitted in English. Applicants should carefully review the official application toolkit and guidelines before applying.
Because the fellowship is highly competitive, applicants should pay particular attention to:
- Academic record
- Research achievements
- Research proposal
- Originality of the project
- AI relevance
- Interdisciplinary potential
- Collaboration with EPFL laboratories
- Feasibility and expected impact
Application Deadline
The deadline for the EPFL AI Center and Swiss AI Initiative Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026 is:
9 November 2026 at 17:00 CET
Late applications are not eligible, so applicants should complete the online submission well before the deadline.
How to Apply
Interested researchers should:
- Review the official fellowship guidelines.
- Explore the EPFL AI Center faculty and identify potential research collaborators.
- Contact two eligible EPFL AI Center-affiliated professors.
- Discuss the proposed research agenda and collaboration.
- Prepare the required application documents in English.
- Submit the complete application through the official online platform.
- Ensure submission before 9 November 2026, 17:00 CET.
Official Fellowship Page: EPFL AI Center and Swiss AI Initiative Postdoctoral Fellowships
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the EPFL AI Center Postdoctoral Fellowship fully funded?
The fellowship provides a contribution of approximately 50% of the postdoctoral salary, while the remaining salary is covered by the EPFL host laboratories. It also provides up to CHF 5,000 per year for eligible research-related expenses.
Who is eligible for the fellowship?
Researchers with a relevant PhD obtained no more than two years before the deadline can apply. Final-year PhD students may also apply if they complete their PhD before starting the fellowship.
Do I need an EPFL professor before applying?
Yes. Applicants need the support of two EPFL AI Center-affiliated host professors and should establish potential collaboration with them before submitting the application.
Can international researchers apply?
Yes. The fellowship is open to applicants of all nationalities.
Is there an age limit?
No. The programme has no age restriction.
How long is the fellowship?
The fellowship can be awarded for a maximum period of two years.
What research areas are supported?
The fellowship supports AI research and applications across scientific domains, with a strong emphasis on cutting-edge, interdisciplinary and responsible AI research.
What is the application deadline?
The deadline is 9 November 2026 at 17:00 CET.
Specifications
| Type of Opportunity | Scholarships and Fellowships |
|---|---|
| Deadline | Ongoing |
| Country | Switzerland |
| Open to | All Nationalities |