Lake Zurich at golden hour with the Swiss Alps in the background and trees on the shoreline.

Switzerland Annual Forschungskredit call — typically opens spring with autumn decisions; apply within the first two years of your UZH doctorate

University of Zurich Candoc Doctoral Grant

The Candoc grant from the University of Zurich's Forschungskredit (research-funding) scheme supports outstanding early-stage doctoral researchers at UZH — Switzerland's largest university and a global top-100 institution. It provides roughly one year of doctoral salary/grant (commonly CHF 50,000 or more) so that promising candidates can focus on their thesis in the early phase of their PhD. It is open across most disciplines and is awarded competitively by faculty after peer review of the research proposal. For Sri Lankan researchers, the route is: secure a UZH PhD place and supervisor first, then apply for Candoc within the first two years of your doctorate. A strong Master's, a clear and original research plan, and supervisor backing are essential. Confirm the current grant amount and annual call dates with UZH.

University of Zurich (UZH)

University-funded

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Value

≈ CHF 50,000+ (1 year)

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Stage

Early-Phase Doctorate

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Selection

Faculty Peer Review

fact_check Eligibility Criteria

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Enrolled UZH Doctoral Candidate

You must already be matriculated as a doctoral candidate at the University of Zurich and within the early years of your PhD (typically the first two). You secure a UZH PhD place and supervisor before applying.

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Strong Research Proposal

Selection is by competitive peer review of your research project. A clear, original, feasible proposal with demonstrated capability — usually backed by a strong Master's — is essential. Sri Lankan applicants compete on the same scientific basis as all candidates.

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Supervisor Support

Your UZH supervisor must support the application and confirm the project fits the group's research. Securing the right supervisor is the critical first step.

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Open to International Researchers

There is no nationality bar — the grant is open to international doctoral candidates at UZH, including Sri Lankan citizens, provided the enrolment and stage conditions are met.

account_tree Application Process

Secure a UZH PhD place and supervisor

Identify a UZH research group, agree a project with a prospective supervisor, and matriculate as a doctoral candidate. This must happen before you can apply for Candoc.

Prepare the research proposal

Develop a detailed proposal with timeline, methodology, and budget for the grant year, refined with your supervisor against the Forschungskredit call requirements.

Submit to the annual call

Apply through your faculty by the Forschungskredit deadline, with the proposal, CV, transcripts, and your supervisor's endorsement.

Peer review and decision

The faculty's research commission reviews and ranks applications; awards are announced after the review cycle, and the grant funds your salary for the funded period.

Why University of Zurich?

UZH is Switzerland's largest university and a global top-100 research institution, especially strong in medicine, life sciences, economics, and law. Its Forschungskredit Candoc grant lets exceptional early doctoral researchers buy time to focus on their thesis at one of Europe's best-funded research environments.