ETH Zurich PhD Scholarships 2026: Scholarship Fund of Swiss Chemical Industry (SSCI) | Chemistry & Applied Biosciences
Joint initiative of ETH Zurich, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine and Givaudan Schweiz AG to support outstanding PhD students Year 2-4. Applications Sep 1 - Oct 31, 2026. Official: chab.ethz.ch
📑 Table of Contents
1. Overview - Joint Initiative ETH + J&J + Givaudan 2. Key Details at a Glance 3. Aim - Reverse Deficit of Qualified Chemists 4. Who Can Apply - D-CHAB First Year PhD Students 5. How to Apply - Single PDF Package 6. Selection Procedure - Professors + Industry Committee 7. Benefits - Industry Exchange & CV Award 8. Past Awardees & Research Topics 2008-2025 9. FAQsETH Zurich, Switzerland PhD Scholarships - Scholarship Fund of Swiss Chemical Industry applications September 1 to October 31, 2026. Official: ethz.ch / chab.ethz.ch/en/doctoral-studies/scholarships/scholarship-fund-of-the-swiss-chemical-industry-ssci.html The Scholarship Fund of the Swiss Chemical Industry (SSCI) is a joint initiative of ETH Zurich and two companies Johnson&Johnson Innovative Medicine and Givaudan Schweiz AG. The aim is to support outstanding PhD-students in chemistry and applied biosciences during doctoral studies and reverse deficit of qualified chemists in industry, cultivating early and regular exchange between students, companies and ETH Zurich.
1. Overview - Joint Initiative ETH + Industry
The Scholarship Fund of the Swiss Chemical Industry (SSCI) is not a typical ETH scholarship - it's a direct industry collaboration. ETH Zurich Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences (D-CHAB) partners with Johnson&Johnson Innovative Medicine (leading in Oncology, Immunology, Neuroscience, Cardiopulmonary, Ophthalmology) and Givaudan Schweiz AG (world's leading Flavours and Fragrance company, main Fragrance Research centre in Duebendorf near ETH).
Submission of applications will be accepted from September 1 until October 31, 2026. This is annual call.
2. Key Details at a Glance
| Detail | Info 2026 |
|---|---|
| Scholarship Name | Scholarship Fund of Swiss Chemical Industry (SSCI) |
| University | ETH Zurich, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences D-CHAB |
| Partners | Johnson&Johnson Innovative Medicine + Givaudan Schweiz AG |
| Field | Chemistry and Applied Biosciences - Organic, Inorganic, Physical, Pharmaceutical Sciences |
| Who Can Apply | All PhD-students of D-CHAB during first year of graduate school - supports Year 2 through Year 4 |
| Application Window | September 1 to October 31, 2026 |
| Number of Awards | Several per year (e.g., 5-10 typical, see awardees list 2008-2025) |
| Language | Application written in English - single PDF file |
| Official Link | https://chab.ethz.ch/en/doctoral-studies/scholarships/scholarship-fund-of-the-swiss-chemical-industry-ssci.html |
3. Aim - Reverse Deficit of Qualified Chemists
The aim of this Scholarship Fund is to support outstanding PhD-students in field of chemistry and applied biosciences during doctoral studies and thus reverse current deficit of qualified chemists in industry.
As well, Fund will cultivate early and regular exchange between students, involved companies and ETH Zurich in chemical sciences.
Givaudan perspective: Proximity of Givaudan's main Fragrance Research centre in Duebendorf to ETHZ combined with relationship enables stronger scientific network to inspire Research and Technology programmes. Raise awareness of careers in fragrance industry to attract top scientific talents.
Johnson & Johnson perspective: Founded over 135 years ago, developing new ideas and products that transformed human health. Being part of SSCI offers unique opportunity to actively collaborate with highest-ranking and best-known University in Switzerland. Connection to students and professors allows targeted recruiting of outstanding talent, scouting of new technology, networking. Staying in touch with awardees, get to know them better, provide insight into daily life in industry.
4. Who Can Apply - D-CHAB First Year PhD Students
- ✅ All PhD-students of Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences (D-CHAB) at ETH Zurich during first year of graduate school
- ✅ Intended to support awardees from second through fourth year - so you apply in Year 1, funding for Year 2-4
- ✅ Fields: Laboratory of Organic Chemistry (Bill Morandi, Erick M. Carreira, Helma Wennemers groups), Laboratory of Inorganic Chemistry (Victor Mougel, Christophe Copéret), Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Jean-Christophe Leroux, Gisbert Schneider), Laboratory of Physical Chemistry (Sereina Riniker) etc.
- ❌ Not for: Other departments - only D-CHAB
Every year, a number of students will be selected. Check awardees 2008-2025 list on official page - includes names like Nathalie Rowlinson (Phosphorus Atom Insertion), Teresa Horak (Directed Nitrile Oxide Cycloaddition), Peter Pânzar (Oxaziridinium-enabled oxidative functionalisation) etc.
5. How to Apply - Single PDF Package
Students submit a complete nomination package (one single PDF-file), written in English and consisting of:
- Cover letter
- Curriculum vitae with photograph
- Research summary that includes an abstract, suitably detailed research outline (max. 5 pages)
- Listing of Master/Diploma/BSc grades
- Letter of reference from the faculty mentor
- Submission between Sep 1 and Oct 31, 2026 - send to D-CHAB doctoral studies office (check chab.ethz.ch for email - typically doctoral studies coordinator)
6. Selection Procedure
A committee consisting of professors of D-CHAB and a representative of each partner company is responsible for selection. Nomination packages will be evaluated on account of candidate's qualifications and scientific content.
Criteria:
- Academic excellence (Master/Diploma/BSc grades)
- Scientific content of research summary (abstract + 5 pages outline) - innovation, feasibility
- Qualifications - CV, cover letter, reference letter from faculty mentor
- Potential to reverse deficit of qualified chemists in industry - industry relevance
Selection committee includes professors from D-CHAB + representative from J&J and Givaudan.
7. Benefits - Beyond Funding
- ✅ Financial support for Year 2-4 of PhD - typically salary/stipend support (ETH PhD salary CHF 47k-50k/year standard, SSCI adds prestige and possibly top-up - check with D-CHAB)
- ✅ CV Award: One more award in CV - highly respected in Swiss chemical industry
- ✅ Early industry exchange: Regular exchange with J&J and Givaudan - lab visits, networking, career awareness
- ✅ Recruiting advantage: Targeted recruiting of outstanding talent by partner companies - direct pipeline to industry jobs
- ✅ Networking: Build high quality scientific network with ETH and industry R&D
- ✅ Platform: Present yourself to wider audience - J&J and Givaudan visibility
ETH Zurich ranked #7 world, top in chemistry. Hönggerberg Campus with Swiss Alps view, state-of-art labs HCI Building.
8. Past Awardees & Research Topics 2008-2025
Official page lists awardees 2008-2025 with cutting-edge topics:
- 2025: Nathalie Rowlinson - Unlocking Phosphorus Atom Insertion: Routes to Novel P-Heterocycles (Morandi group)
- 2025: Teresa Horak - Directed Nitrile Oxide Dipolar Cycloaddition as Fragment Coupling Strategy (Carreira group)
- 2025: Peter Pânzar - Oxaziridin(ium)-enabled oxidative functionalisation of unactivated C(sp3)-H bonds
- 2024: Sally Liu - Mucinase-Enhanced Pulmonary Drug Delivery (Leroux group)
- 2024: Anna Weinfurter - Sustainable synthesis strategy for ammonia from air (Mougel group)
- Earlier: Topics include radical cascades, bicyclo[3.3.1]nonanes, saccharide receptors in water, iron-sulfur clusters, photopharmacological tools, deep-learning ligand binding, etc.
This shows high scientific level - your 5-page research outline must be at this level.
9. FAQs
Q: Is SSCI only for chemistry?
A: Yes, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences D-CHAB only - includes organic, inorganic, physical, pharmaceutical sciences.
Q: When do I apply?
A: During first year of PhD at ETH D-CHAB, submission Sep 1 - Oct 31, 2026 for funding Year 2-4.
Q: What is included in single PDF?
A: Cover letter, CV with photo, research summary abstract + max 5 pages outline, grades listing, reference letter from faculty mentor.
Q: Who selects?
A: Committee of D-CHAB professors + representative of J&J and Givaudan, evaluated on qualifications and scientific content.
Q: Is it fully funded PhD?
A: ETH PhD positions are fully funded with salary CHF 47k-50k/year typical. SSCI provides additional scholarship recognition and industry exchange, possibly stipend top-up - check D-CHAB office for exact financial amount 2026.
Q: Can international students apply?
A: Yes, all PhD students of D-CHAB, international eligible.
🎓 Ready for ETH Zurich SSCI 2026?
Sep 1 - Oct 31, 2026 window - Prepare single PDF now
Go to Official SSCI PageOfficial: chab.ethz.ch | ethz.ch | Verified Sept 2026 | Copyright-free guide
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