Application Information

Project related tags

Who can apply? Individuals or teams of up to three people, who are:

  • early- and mid-career researchers (master students, PhD students, Post-docs)
  • educators
  • developers and data specialists
  • librarians and information scientists
  • archivists and collection managers/curators
  • cultural heritage advocates
  • stakeholders from companies in research & development
  • citizen scientists
  • artists

The programme

Innovator Fellowships are awarded to applicants intending to independently develop a highly innovative product, service, practice or strategy that creates new value regarding open, efficient, transparent and inclusive scientific work environments.

Fellows will receive a monthly salary of 5,000 CHF along with extensive mentoring support, project-based training and financial support for project related travel and software/hardware infrastructure. The duration of the fellowships is three to nine months depending on the scope of the submitted projects.

During the programme fellows will be working at ETH Library Lab in Zurich, Switzerland. The extensive support provided offers fellows ideal conditions for bringing their idea to prototype level and serves as a stepping-stone for advancing their own careers.

Innovator Fellowships have been initiated by ETH Library and are funded by ETH Zurich.

Selection criteria

Innovation potential

Thematic orientation

 

Project outline

Interpersonal and communication skills

Open Calls There are two opportunities in 2020 to apply for an Innovator Fellowship.

Applications will be accepted from:

1. – 31. January 2021 for fellowships starting in June 2021

1. – 30. September 2021 for fellowships starting in January 2022

Submission Deadlines Applications need to be handed in latest until:

January 31, 2021 (23h59) 

September 30, 2021 (23h59)

 

Application

Eligibility To be considered for fellowship status, the candidate shall have:

  • demonstrated understanding of the scientific practices within the community addressed by the submitted project
  • proven commitment to advancing scientific information infrastructure and services and/or public interest technology
  • a project idea reflecting the values as stated in ETH Library Labs mission statement
  • submitted a complete and acceptable fellowship application

Applicants from non-EU/EFTA countries and residing outside Switzerland are required to be enrolled at an academic institution or affiliated with an organization (non-profit/for-profit) in their home country/country of residence and return to it after their fellowship at ETH Library Lab.

Application Documents The following content and documents need to be provided in English via the ETH Library Lab’s online application tool.

  1. Short description of the project: Maximum 500 characters (to be provided via the specified form field on the online application tool)
  2. Project summary: A short (1 page, PDF) overview of the project duration, planned activities, the market situation / context of practice and the innovation potential. The summary should not contain confidential information.
  3. Project outline (maximum of 5 pages, PDF) including:
  • an explanation on the innovative aspects and customer/user benefits of a potential product, service, method or strategy
  • evidence of (market) relevance
  • estimated project duration (between three to nine months)
  • a time plan with distinct milestones
  • a composition of the financial requirements
  • a clear outline of expected results
  1. A CV (maximum of 3 pages, PDF) including a brief outline of the candidate’s career goals.
  2. Certificates (PDF) relating to the candidates resume.
  3. A short video of yourself explaining the motivation behind your application and why your idea matters.

Application process

  1. Pre-Selection
     The jury for the pre-selection consists of the Advisory Board and Managing Director of ETH Library Lab. Technology Managers from ETH transfer, ETH Professors and partners of the ETH Library Lab will support the jury in making its decisions. After the initial pre-selection, successful candidates will receive an invitation for an interview.
  2. Interview
     Selected candidates will be invited to a 30-minute interview (video call or face to face). During the interview, candidates will first briefly present their project idea and personal motivation. Afterward, they will be asked questions about their submitted project. Upcoming interview dates and times are:

    March 4 (Thu), 2021 13:00-18:00
    October, 2021 tbd
  1. Final Selection
     Notification of decisions will be made by the Managing Director of ETH Library Lab until:

    March 12, 2021
    October 30, 2021

Expectations Fellows are expected to:

  • participate in ETH Library Lab weekly meetings, collaborative workweeks and community events
  • communicate and share their work openly and on an ongoing basis
  • dedicate up to a maximum of 20% of their time working with other fellows on interdisciplinary projects not related to their own project
  • submit a final report in the last week of the fellowship. Its form depends on the outcome of the fellowship and will be discussed with the Managing Director of ETH Library Lab.

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