Scholarships

As a foundation, we are intensively committed to promoting young talent. Excellent researchers pass on excellent knowledge. This credo runs like a thread through the Department’s teaching programs. Accordingly, economics graduates hold key positions in institutions in Switzerland and in local international companies. Graduates of the only Swiss doctoral program in economics, the Zurich Graduate School of Economics (Zurich GSE), and the world’s unique doctoral program in neuroeconomics, the Marlene Porsche Graduate School of Neuroeconomics, are particularly successful. Both programs position themselves among the best programs worldwide. Scholarships enable excellent students to study in one of these outstanding programs.

“I am fascinated by cognitive biases in economic decision-making, and I am eager to investigate the causes of poverty traps.”

Lexi Schubert, PhD student at Zurich GSE

Marlene Porsche Graduate School of Neuroeconomics

The Marlene Porsche Graduate School of Neuroeconomics was launched in 2017, enabled by a donation by the Marlene Porsche Foundation. The interdisciplinary degree program in the cutting-edge field of neuroeconomics has a strong scientific focus, with the goal of enabling students to become independent researchers of the highest caliber. Its faculty consists of internationally renowned scholars with expertise in behavioral economics, neuroimaging, neuropharmacology, brain stimulation techniques, and computational modeling.

«We know very little about why people behave the way they do and why they decide the way they do. That should be researched, and that research deserves to be supported.»

Marlene Porsche †, former President of the Marlene Porsche Foundation

Zurich Insurance Group Scholarships

The Zurich Insurance Group has been supporting the Zurich Graduate School of Economics at the Department of Economics since 2020 by funding two doctoral positions over a period of five years. The Zurich Insurance Scholarships are awarded to outstanding applicants for the Graduate School.

Graduates supported by ZKB scholarships

Dr. Chloé Michel

Dr. Chloé Michel

Received a ZKB scholarship in 2012. She had previously completed her master’s degree at the University of Zurich. Ms Michel completed her doctorate in 2016 and accepted a position as behavioral analyst at Swiss Re.
Lea-Kathrin Heursen

Lea-Kathrin Heursen

Was awarded a ZKB scholarship in 2012. She had previously completed her master’s degree at the London School of Economics.
Yi-Shan Lee

Yi-Shan Lee

Received a ZKB scholarship in 2013. She had previously completed her master’s degree at the National Taiwan University.
Christian Zünd

Christian Zünd

Was awarded a ZKB scholarship in 2014. He had previously completed his master’s degree at Cambridge University.

This is how you can support students

Today’s young talents are tomorrow’s leaders. By providing scholarships for doctoral students with your donation, you are helping to attract the best young researchers to Zurich. We believe that this is a decisive factor in positioning Switzerland and Zurich as a leading international business and research location in the long term.

Your involvement