Fellowships

Major decisions concerning Switzerland’s future are complex. To understand and analyse them properly, it is necessary to know how to make use of the findings of scientific research: reading studies, comparing ideas, analysing data, structuring one’s reasoning, and translating scientific knowledge into clear and useful recommendations for society.

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The Eiger Institute aims to support young people in their educational journey, and it is with this in mind that the Eiger Academic Fellowship was established. The aim is to equip participants with the tools, methods and confidence needed to understand complex issues, form an informed opinion and contribute more directly to public debate, whilst giving them the opportunity to work on a public issue that interests them.

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This free programme combines training with practical experience. Participants begin with introductory seminars on research. In particular, they learn how to define a specific research question, find reliable sources, understand existing research, compare different options and propose science-based solutions. Each fellow is then mentored by a researcher or expert to develop a short, clear and well-structured publication — known as a ‘policy brief’ — on a public issue of their choice. The aim is to produce an analysis and solutions that are understandable to non-specialists.​​

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The programme is open to young people aged between 18 and 25 who are resident in Switzerland, who are interested in Swiss and/or international public issues, who wish to develop skills in analysis, applied research and writing, and who are motivated to work in depth on a subject throughout the duration of the programme. No specific educational background is required. The programme is open to a wide range of backgrounds: high school, university, college, vocational training or other educational pathways. Selection is based primarily on motivation, curiosity, work ethic and an interest in the topics covered.​

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The fellowship aims to help young people to:​

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1. gain a better understanding of major political, economic and social issues;

2. develop their intellectual independence;

3. learn to analyse a subject rigorously;

4. organise their ideas and present them clearly;

5. discover the working methods used in a think tank;

6. contribute, in their own way, to a better-informed public debate.

 

In the long term, the programme aims to train a new generation of youth capable of bridging the gap between research, ideas and policy decisions.