NOMIS Senior Fellowship

The Collegium Helveticum invites nominations for up to four NOMIS Senior Fellowships per academic year. These fellowships aim to attract internationally leading researchers who inspire colleagues both within and beyond their own disciplines. During their fellowship, recipients collaborate with one or more faculty members from the Collegium’s supporting institutions—ETH Zurich, the University of Zurich, and the Zurich University of the Arts. Their research should be innovative and address questions that cross disciplinary boundaries. Their presence at the Collegium is expected to have a lasting impact on Zurich’s academic environment.

Who can nominate and apply? 

The selection process consists of two steps: nomination, followed by an invitation to apply for a fellowship lasting typically five or ten months (exceptions may be considered). The fellowship period must fall between September 1 and June 30. 

Nominations may be submitted by research units, university management, or faculty members of ETH Zurich, the University of Zurich, or the Zurich University of the Arts, as well as by members of the Collegium’s advisory board. Self-nominations are possible, but must be supported by at least two faculty members from the Collegium’s supporting institutions. 

Nominees whose profiles align well with the goals of the program will be invited to submit a full application, in coordination with their partnering faculty member(s) from ETH Zurich, the University of Zurich, or the Zurich University of the Arts. 

Profile of future NOMIS Senior Fellows

The call is open to basic research in all disciplines. Before submitting a nomination for a NOMIS Senior Fellowship, please ensure the nominee has confirmed interest in being nominated, and meets the following criteria. The nominee

• is recognized for having shaped their broader academic field significantly. 
• has demonstrated outstanding and sustained scholarly achievement. 
• performs distinctive research and engages with questions that cross disciplinary boundaries. 
• is at the mid-career or established career stage. 
• holds a permanent position at a recognized institution of higher education or research. 
• is not older than 70 years at the start date of the fellowship. 
• is typically expected to leverage a sabbatical or sabbatical credit; contributions toward a relief from teaching duties for the fellowship period may be requested as part of the application and are subject to negotiation. 

Nominations must be submitted in English. 

About the NOMIS Senior Fellowship 

The NOMIS Senior Fellowships allow scholars and scientists to pursue their research free from teaching and administrative obligations and become part of a diverse and thriving interdisciplinary community. NOMIS Senior Fellows receive generous financial compensation and have access to the Collegium’s infrastructure. Additional infrastructure relevant to the proposed research may be provided by their partnering faculty member from on the Collegium’s supporting universities (Associate Fellow). NOMIS Senior Fellows are generally eligible for ETH Housing, depending on availability. With the application, the actual financial needs can be identified and suggested within defined boundaries.

Duration and start date 

The Collegium Helveticum can host up to four NOMIS Senior Fellows per academic year for a duration of five or ten months (exceptions will be considered). Fellowship period must fall between September 1 and June 30. 

Timeline for nominations

Nominations for fellowships beginning in the fall term 2026 (September 1, 2026–January 31, 2027) are due no later than 15 January 2026. 

For fellowships beginning in the spring term 2027 (February 1, 2027–June 30, 2027), nominations are due by April 15, 2026. Starting with the fall term 2027, all fellowship nominations must be submitted twelve months prior to the start of the term in which the fellowship begins. 

Financial support and infrastructure

Fellows receive generous financial compensation and have access to the Collegium’s infrastructure. With the application, the actual financial needs can be identified and suggested within defined boundaries. We trust that applicants for a NOMIS Senior Fellowship will appreciate the value of this opportunity not only for personal advancement but also for the broader community, and will not pursue it solely for personal financial gain. In doing so, they help ensure that the Collegium can continue to offer financial support to other fellows.

The fellowship budget is proposed during the application phase and may include: 

• Living expenses 
• Childcare support 
• Funding to invite a collaborator for a short guest stay 
• Research costs 

The Collegium generally expects the fellow’s home institution to contribute to their stay through additional sabbatical credit. Where this is not possible, funding to cover teaching responsibilities at the home institution may be requested. If the collaboration involves research costs, limited seed funding can be included in the application.  

NOMIS Senior Fellows are generally eligible for ETH Housing, depending on availability. Housing support can be requested as part of the budget.

Attendence and participation 

NOMIS Senior Fellows are expected to reside in Zurich and work at the Collegium full-time, actively participating in the weekly meetings and engaging with the broader Zurich academic community. Fellows typically work at the Collegium in the Semper Observatory; arrangements to spend up to 40% of their time with the associate fellow’s group may be considered, subject to the Collegium director’s approval. 

Public event 

NOMIS Senior Fellow are expected to contribute to academic life in Zurich by delivering a public lecture or organizing an interdisciplinary event related to their research. Moreover, they are expected to engage with the Zurich academic ecosystem. 

Associate fellow 

Associate fellows are faculty members of ETH Zurich, the University of Zurich, or the Zurich University of the Arts, who support the application and commit to serving as academic partners and collaborators throughout the fellowship. Associate fellows may receive a financial contribution to cover costs for a teaching reduction they have to negotiate with their institution. In turn, they are expected to dedicate at least one day per week to the cooperation with the NOMIS Senior Fellow. 

Application and evaluation

Nomination and selection process 

The selection process consists of two steps: nomination, followed by an invitation to apply for a fellowship lasting typically five or ten months (exceptions may be considered). The fellowship period must fall between September 1 and June 30. 

Nomination phase

Nominations may be submitted by research units, centers of excellence, university leadership, or one or more faculty members from the Collegium’s supporting institutions. 

Nominators are encouraged to contact potential nominees informally before submitting. When submitted by research units or centers, a co-financing contribution is typically expected (not required in the initial round). 

Self-nominations are accepted and must be supported by two faculty members from one of the three supporting institutions. 

Application phase

Nominees whose profiles align well with the goals of the program will be invited to submit a full application, in coordination with their supporting faculty member from ETH Zurich, the University of Zurich, or the Zurich University of the Arts. 

Questions & contact

Prior to contacting us at info@collegium.ethz.ch, please make sure to have read all available materials carefully. The clearer your question or needs, the easier and faster we can assist you.

About the NOMIS Foundation

NOMIS’ vision is to “create a spark” in the world of science by enabling and supporting pioneering research in the natural sciences, social sciences, and the humanities that benefits humankind and our planet. Its mission is to support and enable insight-driven science across all disciplines, focusing on researchers who put forth bold new ideas, exhibit a pioneering spirit and seek to inspire the world around them.