Research Program Security

Scope

The ‘Research Program Security’ was launched in 2025 by EPFL and armasuisse S+T, and is open to all institutions within the ETH Domain through a series of calls for proposals. The program’s goal is to identify and develop innovative ideas and solutions to address current and future security and defense challenges. Key thematic areas include fields such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, quantum technologies, autonomous systems and robotics, cybersecurity, communication and secure networks, materials science as well as energy.

The thematic challenges for the second call for proposals are:

1. Agent-agnostic Detection of unknown Biological and Chemical Agents
2. Resilient Mobile Energy Supply and Decentralized Energy Logistics

More information about the two thematic challenges can be found in annex 1 of the application guidelines.

Main eligibility criteria

• The call for proposals is open to researchers of the ETH Domain institutions (ETHZ, EPFL, PSI, WSL, Empa and Eawag). Projects must be hosted by an ETH Domain laboratory or research group and led by a faculty member (Prof. tit., MER, PATT, PA or PO) or unit head/group leader as main applicant. Other scientists (excl. PhDs) can apply as co-applicants.
• If an applicant is not financially independent, the application must include a letter of commitment from the host professor or the head of unit, indicating that he or she
  • guarantees the feasibility of the project for its full duration using the means of his/her unit;
  • takes administrative responsibility for all personnel financed by this project, in particular with respect to any induced costs or additional resources needed and not covered by the grant.
• Each proposal must designate a main applicant responsible for the scientific and financial management of the project. Applicants must be employed by an ETH Domain institution for the entire duration of the project.
• Applicants may submit only one proposal per topic as the main applicant. However, applicants may participate in multiple proposals as co-applicants.
• There are no restrictions on the number of applicants involved; proposals may be submitted by individual applicants or consortia (collaboration between ETH Domain institutions is possible)
• Projects should not involve third parties (as main/co-applicant or project partner).
• The roles and responsibilities of each of the main/co-applicant shall be clearly defined in the proposals.

Funding and duration

The Research Program Security will support projects for a period of 12 to 18 months, with a maximum funding amount of CHF 250k (including overheads)

How to apply

• Please read carefully the applications guidelines.
• Explore the Application Toolkit.
• All required documents must be submitted via the online submission platform.
• All documents must be submitted in English.

• An online applicant workshop will place on 20 October 2026 from 11:00-12:00 hr (via Teams). 

Deadline

The application deadline for the 2nd call for proposals is Monday 30 November 2026 (17:00 CET).

Final decisions will be announced by the beginning of April 2026.

Successful applicants may begin their project from 1 May 2026.

Selection process

Applications that meet the formal requirements and that are within the scope of the call will be evaluated by the Evaluation Panel comprised of ETH Domain and armasuisse representatives, as well as external experts.

The final decision will be made by the Steering Committee, chaired by armasuisse.

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria :

• Excellence (Weight of the criterion: 40%):
• Project implementation (Weight of the criterion: 25%):
• Impact (Weight of the criterion: 35%):