Short-term visitors
The COPL Short-term Visitor Programme supports brief research visits to foster collaboration and contribute to the Centre’s scientific mission on the origins and prevalence of life. There is one call per semester, with the next submission deadline on Friday, 28 November 2025.
Purpose
To support visits of external researchers (1–2 weeks) to engage with the COPL community, including giving a lunch seminar, 1-0-1 meetings and participating in COPL activities. Visitors can also benefit of a COPL office space.
Eligibility
Applications can be submitted by COPL Core Members or by NOMIS–ETH Fellows. Eligible visitors include senior or junior researchers from external institutions not affiliated with COPL, regardless of tenure status.
- Applicants who hosted a short-term visitor in the previous semester may apply again, but such applications will be given lower priority if the host remains the same.
- If an applicant submits multiple applications in the same round, each must clearly indicate its priority relative to the others.
Scientific scope
Visits must align with COPL's objectives, such as:
- Origins of life processes
- Planetary environment characterisation
- Habitability and biosignature potential
- Life in extreme or non-standard conditions
Funding
Up to CHF 3,000 per visit
- Travel: up to CHF 500
- Accommodation + daily allowance: CHF 250/day for up to 10 days
Receipts required; only visitor’s costs are reimbursable.
Application Process
Applications must be submitted through the form available on this page, and include: host info, funding request, office space needs, visit dates, and 1-page visit plan.
Assessment
By an ad-hoc committee per COPL guidelines. The decision will be communicated 2–3 weeks after the application deadline.
Timeline
There is one call per semester, with the next submission deadline on Friday, 28 November 2025 for visits in the Spring Semester 2026.