ETH Zurich Robotics Student Fellowship 2026 | Hands‑On Summer Research for Global Robotics Talent

Zurich, Switzerland – April 2026 – The ETH Robotics Student Fellowship (RSF) 2026 at ETH Zurich is now open for applications, offering a unique opportunity for graduate students and exceptional final‑year undergraduates worldwide to spend two months conducting cutting‑edge robotics research with world‑leading experts. The fellowship takes place during 30 June–28 August 2026, positioning participants at the heart of Europe’s premier robotics ecosystem.

A Premier Robotics Research Opportunity

The Robotics Student Fellowship is part of the RobotX initiative, ETH Zurich’s flagship platform for interdisciplinary robotics research. It’s designed for students passionate about robotics, autonomy, machine perception, and intelligent systems who want to advance their research skills in a world‑class academic environment.

Fellows work alongside established researchers in distinguished labs covering a wide range of robotics disciplines, such as:

• Computational Robotics
• Autonomous Systems
• Soft Robotics
• Sensory‑Motor Systems
• Mobile Robotics
• Intelligent Control
• Computer Vision and Geometry
• Robotic Systems

This hands‑on experience helps participants build deep technical expertise while contributing to real scientific research.

Who Can Apply

The programme is open to:

• Master’s students currently enrolled in robotics, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, or closely related fields.
• Final‑year undergraduate students with outstanding academic performance from top institutions.
• Applicants whose expected graduation date is after Spring 2027 and who can attend the full fellowship period in Switzerland.

Strong English proficiency is expected, as all research and collaboration is conducted in English.

How the Fellowship Works

Selected fellows undertake an individual research project in one of the participating labs, collaborating closely with faculty members, postdocs, and PhD students. The programme also includes social events and networking opportunities that help participants integrate into ETH Zurich’s research community and connect with peers from around the world. (Center for Robotics)

Financial Support & Benefits

The fellowship provides substantial support to ensure participants can fully focus on research without financial barriers:

• CHF 4,000 stipend to help cover living costs during the fellowship
• Travel and visa reimbursement, with generous allowances for flights and transportation
• Accommodation provided, arranged by the programme and included as part of the fellowship support

This combination of financial backing and institutional support makes the fellowship both accessible and highly competitive. (Center for Robotics)

Application Essentials

To apply, students must prepare a set of required documents, including:

• Academic transcripts and curriculum vitae
• A compelling letter of motivation explaining research interests and goals
• Contact details for two academic referees and letters of recommendation
• Selection of preferred labs for research placements

The review process includes a careful evaluation of each candidate’s academic ability, research potential, and fit with the hosting labs. Shortlisted candidates may also be interviewed.

Why This Fellowship Matters

ETH Zurich consistently ranks among the top universities in the world for robotics research, and the RSF provides a rare opportunity for emerging researchers to gain firsthand experience in this dynamic field. Participants not only sharpen their technical skills but also build global networks, improve their research portfolios, and position themselves for future academic or industry careers in robotics and autonomous systems.

Past fellows have gone on to contribute to breakthroughs in autonomous navigation, reinforcement learning for control, soft robotics, and robot perception — marking the fellowship as a launchpad for the next generation of robotics leaders.