Become a member

Each year, the Swiss Young Academy welcomes five new members to its community. To qualify for the five-year membership, candidates must demonstrate outstanding achievements at the university level, along with motivation, a willingness to commit, and a strong interest in interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary science. An important requirement is a connection to research, education, and innovation in Switzerland.

Typically, the Swiss Young Academy consists of around 30 members (currently 42). When selecting new members, we prioritize fostering diversity across various dimensions, including academic disciplines, qualifications, gender, linguistic regions, and types of higher education institutions. Our members represent over 35 scientific fields and are affiliated with 24 different universities and institutions across Switzerland.

We understand that underrepresented and marginalized groups often refrain from applying unless they feel they meet 100% of the qualifications. However, we encourage individuals to bring diverse perspectives, experiences, and knowledge to the SYA and its projects. We believe that diversity, inclusion, and equity are essential pillars of excellence, creativity, and innovation in academia, and we encourage academics from all backgrounds to apply.

What are the benefits of a membership?

• As a member of the Swiss Young Academy, you become part of the largest scientific network in Switzerland;
• you play an important role in representing other up-and-coming scientists; 
• through your work on joint projects, the members of the Young Academy present recommendations for science- and social-policy challenges; 
• you also benefit from a mentoring programme for five years as well as personal support measures that will strengthen your skills;
• you have access to the infrastructure of the House of the Academies, the headquarter of the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences in Bern, for meetings and events.

Admission criteria

• Interest in inter- and transdisciplinary collaboration
• Outstanding academic achievements as well as motivation and willingness for strong commitment
• Willingness to attend the Members’ Assembly meeting (one to three times a year)
• A maximum age of 40 years when elected into the Swiss Young Academy
• Clear ties to education, research and innovation within the Swiss academic context.
• The doctorate, specialty training (for physicians) or the highest possible degree for graduates of universities of applied sciences or universities of teacher education should have been completed no more than seven years prior to their election.
• Good knowledge of English (correspondence language is English)

Admission procedure

The election of new members is carried out through an application process. From the applications received, an Election Commission, composed of representatives from the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences and the Swiss Young Academy, prepares a nomination proposal for the Swiss Young Academy’s Members’ Assembly. The final election is subsequently confirmed by the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences’ Board of Directors.

What do I have to fill in and submit in order to apply?

1. Fill in the form below
2. Upload letter of motivation (Download template), CV and letter of support (max. 1 page A4) as one file in the form.
3. Upload photo (300 dpi) in the form