The Branco Weiss Fellowship – Society in Science is a community of exceptional young scientists who share a passion for taking research beyond the mainstream. Fellows are given the means to pursue their personal vision of a particular scientific project independently – in the best possible locations, anywhere in the world. The fellowship is awarded to postdocs for up to five years. Since it continues after a promotion, some fellows even become faculty members during the course of their fellowship. Besides a passion for the research itself, what Branco Weiss Fellows and Alumni also have in common is a flair for communicating beyond their own field of study and with society at large.
The fellowship program was initiated and financed by the Swiss entrepreneur Dr. Branco Weiss, who passed away in October 2010. It is based at ETH Zurich.
The fellowship is designed to support postdoctoral researchers after their PhD and before their first faculty appointment. The aim is to award up to ten fellowships each year. Researchers who pursue unconventional projects outside the mainstream of science (including natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, and humanities) may apply. Those in current postdoctoral positions are also eligible.
Duration
Research projects should be conceived to last five years.
The first two years of a project are called the pioneer phase. At the end of the pioneer phase, a review and a site visit will be conducted. At this point, the project, its continued originality, and the productivity of the fellow will be evaluated. If the results of the evaluation and site visit are satisfactory, the fellow enters the exploitation phase for the remaining three years of the fellowship.
Branco Weiss Fellows are encouraged to seek faculty positions during their exploitation phase. Fellows can start a faculty position/professorship after the first year of the fellowship. Assuming an academic position will not result in termination of the fellowship.