The Archives of Contemporary History at ETH Zurich invites researchers to engage with its materials during
a one‑month residency. With the scholarship, announced for the first time in 2026, the AfZ promotes the
exchange between research and the archives. Located in immediate proximity to the ETH, the University of
Zurich, and the Zentralbibliothek – Zurich’s central library – the archives enables guests from Switzerland
and abroad to further develop their research on site. Applications are welcome from the fields of history,
knowledge curation, archival and information science.
Overview of admission requirements
• The research project must make use of materials from the Archives of Contemporary History. Projects
without a direct connection to the holdings cannot be supported.
• Researchers at all stages of their career, young professionals, and academic staff are eligible to apply.
They must hold a Master’s degree.
• Scholars must be employed by a university, research institution, as a researcher in a museum, archive,
or library for the entire duration of their stay.
• The scholarship is taken up on site.
• Scholars work with the archives to develop individual forms of exchange that allow space for professional
dialogue during their stay.
Your application
We look forward to receiving your application, which should be submitted in German or English by 27 February
2026. Please include the following documents:
• Letter of motivation
• Project description (600 words)
• Overview of the AfZ materials you would like to use and their expected relevance to your project (200-400
words)
• Curriculum vitae, including language skills
Please send the documents in a single PDF file to afzscholarship@history.gess.ethz.ch.
Applicants will be informed of all decisions by the end of June 2026 at the latest. Scholarships may begin no
earlier than August 2026. The Archives of Contemporary History is supported in the scholarship funding decisions
by an interdisciplinary advisory board.
Further information
• The AfZ provides a one-time stipend of CHF 4’500 to cover living expenses during the stay. Accommodation
is not provided.
• The scholarship promotes engagement with the archival holdings, supports exchange between archive
staff and visiting scholars, and offers opportunities for networking with other researchers.
We look forward to receiving your application.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.