EPFLinnovators

The EPFLinnovators (2017-2024) programme aimed to attract to EPFL highly-talented doctoral candidates of any nationality with an interest in entrepreneurship.
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The fellowship at a glance

EPFLinnovators (2017-2024) was an industry-oriented doctoral programme based in the dynamic environment of the EPFL campus. To develop the innovation potential of PhD candidates, the EPFLinnovators programme integrated a six-month to two-year secondment in the non-academic sector and provided the PhD candidates with a transferable skills training. The early-stage researchers were trained in an academic as well as non-academic setting so as to have the potential to become true innovators thanks to a broad set of scientific, transferable, and business skills. The programme supported gender equality and strongly encouraged female researchers to apply.

Three calls were held in 2018 and 2019. The programme is now closed.

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 754354.

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Disciplines

Doctoral studies could be held in any of the 22 doctoral programmes available at EPFL.

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Collaboration

EPFLinnovators enhanced collaboration with industry. The programme included a long stay, of at least 6 months and up to 24 months, in the non-academic sector. Additionally, a co-supervision with the non-academic partner was strongly encouraged.

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Training

In addition to the scientific skills gained throughout the doctoral studies, EPFLinnovators fellows benefited from a specific transferable and business skills training.

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Duration

The duration of the fellowship was up to 48 months (4 years), with the possibility of a 3-month extension upon request.

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Contribution

The EPFLinnovators fellowship consisted of a monthly contribution of EUR 1’855 to the salary of the PhD candidate at EPFL. The thesis director was responsible for the remaining part of the salary (co-funding could not come from other projects requiring time keeping, including H2020 / Horizon Europe), as well as for any other costs (equipment, travel expenses, etc).

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Location

The fellowship was to be undertaken in Switzerland, at the EPFL campus in Lausanne, Neuchâtel, Valais, Geneva or Fribourg.

EPFLinnovators fellows by call

Useful documents

Check out the EPFLinnovators programme’s Rules and Regulations

Find out about the EPFLinnovators mandatory transferable skills training. Click here

As the vast majority of EPFL’s PhD candidates, EPFLinnovators fellows were employed and paid as “doctoral assistants”. Learn more

Outreach material is available here: Flyer


Funded by
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 754354.

Contact

Research Office

Av. Auguste-Piccard 1

CH – 1015 Lausanne


Contact: [email protected]


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