Society in Science - The Branco Weiss Fellowship

1 March 2011: deadline for applications
Society in Science - The Branco Weiss Fellowship provides a platform for exceptionally qualified researchers, who are aiming to extend their scientific work to include specific social and cultural questions and perspectives.

The fellowship, founded in 2002, was initiated and is financed by the Swiss entrepreneur Dr. Branco Weiss. It is domiciled at and coordinated by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH). Professor Peter Chen, former Vice President Research and Corporate Relations at ETH, directs the fellowship program and thus holds scientific and operational responsibility. He is supported by the strategy committee of ETH who evaluates the applications and interviews potential candidates.


To be successful you should have the audacity and judgment to risk a comprehensive project. You may explore methodologies and concepts which partially link natural and social sciences, be active in both sciences or transfer methodologies and concepts from one to the other.

You must have the competences to design a courageous and scientifically rigorous research project which ideally blazes new trails and profits from the freedom uniquely offered by the Branco Weiss Fellowship.

The fellowship is geared primarily to natural scientists and engineers at an early stage of their postdoctoral studies; however, representatives of other disciplines may also apply if they are able to present an appropriate project. Applicants must provide evidence of outstanding scientific achievement to qualify.

Applicants whose fields of interest are not covered by current or former fellows are strongly encouraged to apply and will be looked upon favorably. The directorate is permanently seeking to broaden the perspective of the fellowship.

In the evaluation of candidates emphasis will be given to personality more than the proposed study. However, awardees are expected to design a courageous and scientifically rigorous research project which benefits from the unique freedom offered by the Branco Weiss Fellowship. The proposed inquiry must meet high standards of scientific quality as well as containing a clear and distinct social component.
Branco Weiss Fellows can expect financial support for up to five years as well as an opportunity to work at an academic institution of their choice anywhere in the world. The fellows belong to a diverse, dedicated, and intellectually stimulating group that meets at least once a year to present and discuss the research projects of its members to a selected scientific and public audience.