
Become part of teaching and research at ETH Zurich
Become part of…
… innovation, breakthrough projects and solutions to the greatest challenges of our time. Your support enables ETH Zurich to achieve remarkable things. Donations both large and small come together like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle – and have a major impact.
“ETH is a place that inspires me.”
Roman Engeler
Co-founder Atla, former Excellence Scholar and donor


"Philanthropy brings more empowerment into the system.”
Dr Vera de Vries
Partner at schillingpartners and donor

“The elite tiers of research are similar to elite sports.”
Dominique Gisin
Olympic gold medallist, former ski racer and donor

"Philanthropy to me is sharing my good fortune with others."
Professor Janet Hering
Former Director of Eawag

"Innovation is born when ideas from different fields are brought together."
Dr Severin Hacker
Co-founder and CTO of Duolingo and donor

Juliana Zapata Riveros
In the video, the researcher and former Excellence Scholar explains why she promotes young talent at ETH.
“Our contributions should benefit all of society, beyond national borders.”
Maleachi Bühringer
CEO Refratechnik, Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Alexander Tutsek-Stiftung

“When beneficiaries become supporters – it’s the nicest thanks you can get”
Monica Daigl
Global Access Evidence Enabler at Roche and donor

“Smart people are among the most important resources of a country.”
Dr Natascha Schill
Biotech entrepreneur and donor

“ETH is an engine of innovation that drives prosperity in Switzerland.”
Francisco Fernandez
Serial entrepreneur and philanthropist

“Thanks to the scholarship, I was able to fully concentrate on my studies and benefit from an exciting community.”
Jelena Trisovic
ETH AI Fellow and former Excellence Scholar

“ETH has provided me with an excellent education – and friends for life.”
Professor Kaveh Razavi
ETH professor and donor

“What’s great about young ETH entrepreneurs is the sheer enthusiasm and confidence with which they tackle new issues.”
Kornel Wassmer
Managing Director Banking at Adnovum

“At ETH Zurich I learned how to give my all – and how to take joy in that. With my commitment, I want to support the talented young people of today so that they can achieve great things."
Tilla Theus
Architect and founder of “Tilla Theus und Partner”,
ETH alumna and donor

Moritz Lechner and Felix Mayer
In the video, the ETH alumni and co-founders of Sensirion talk about why they support ETH philanthropically:

“Innovation requires a vision and a lot of action. That makes ETH the ideal environment for the next generation of leaders.”
Dr Patrick Anquetil
CEO of Portal Instruments and donor

“Our freedom and health can be taken from us, but not the knowledge we’ve acquired.”
Dr Fabian Unteregger
Comedian, entrepreneur and donor

“ETH taught us how to be disciplined and pragmatic – and much more that went beyond our field of study.”
Marika Jacquemart-Bouaoudia und Charles Jacquemart
ETH alumni and donors

"Technical professions are highly attractive - ETH paves the way for young women and men to pursue them."
Wera Hotz Kowner
former Managing Director of Jakob Kowner AG and donor

Stories behind the visuals
Learn more about the stories and projects behind the campaign visuals in the slider. Thanks to the generous free-space placements of APG|SGA, the visuals can be spotted in cities, shopping malls and large train stations throughout Switzerland.
“Science is like an enormous orchestra comprised of vastly different musical sections. I support ETH so that talented researchers can work in concert to advance new solutions and approaches.”
Dr Walter Fischli
President of the Walter Fischli Foundation, ETH alumnus and donor

"As an ETH graduate, I’m very happy to support young talents and help them to dive into the world of science, discover new things and get excited about research – just like I once did. With my contribution, I hope to give something back to my alma mater."
Dr Laura Kobel-Keller
Lecturer at ETH Zurich, ETH alumna and donor

“Highly qualified experts and leaders are one of our country’s most important resources. That’s why I am committed to the excellent teaching and research at ETH Zurich.”
Calvin F. Grieder
Chairman of Bühler Group, Givaudan and SGS, ETH honorary councillor
One of the areas that Calvin Grieder supports is technologies for healthy and sustainable food.

Questions and answers
ETH Zurich enjoys widespread renown, but few people are aware that they can also support ETH philanthropically. We are launching this campaign to draw attention to the ways in which people can support us, because additional resources are increasingly vital to delivering top-class research and teaching and to achieving even more than is possible with our basic financing alone.
The image of a jigsaw puzzle symbolises the idea that, by making a donation, you become part of innovations that benefit the whole of society. Whether it’s a small donation or a bequest, every contribution is valuable and goes towards achieving great things.
We want to appeal to people who feel a connection with ETH, who care about promoting young talent or a specific research topic, or who simply share our conviction that education and research are the key to solving many of the challenges of our time.
You are all invited to contribute your own pieces of the puzzle and play your part in shaping the future together with ETH.
Firstly, we’re seeking funds for talent and scholarship programmes in order to provide targeted support to especially talented and financially disadvantaged students as well as up-and-coming young entrepreneurs. Secondly, we also want to provide additional funding to reinforce and expand strategically important areas of research – from health to energy and artificial intelligence.
Donations to our “Poly Fund” that are unrestricted in their purpose are also very important. With these, you give the ETH Executive Board the greatest possible flexibility when it comes to deploying funds where they’re most urgently required.
You can find an overview of current funding projects here. We would be happy to advise you on an individual basis if you have specific wishes with regard to funding.
Yes, donations to the ETH Zurich Foundation are tax exempt within the scope of the statutory regulations. We will be delighted to provide you with a donation receipt.
Donations from Germany and the US are also tax exempt if they are made via the corresponding foundation. More information here.
One hundred percent of the donated amount goes towards the chosen causes. The members of the Board of Trustees of the ETH Foundation kindly offer their services on a voluntary basis, and the costs of running the office are financed by capital gains from the assets under management.
Donations give ETH the scope to act quickly in strategically important areas and to implement comprehensive projects that would not be possible with our basic financing alone. Donations play a significant role in funding talent-promotion programmes – such as the Excellence Scholarship and Pioneer Fellowship programmes – as well as making it easier for ETH to attract and support the best talent.
All of this is vital to ensuring that ETH can maintain its position as one of the world’s leading universities.
Donations are always a gift, which means nothing is granted directly in return. In addition to thanks and appreciation, however, you can take pleasure in knowing that your donation has had a meaningful impact on the future. Moreover, your name will appear in the annual report and on our website.
Regular donors are also invited to occasional events where they can see the impact of their commitment for themselves.
Yes, there is a 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle with the motif of the ETH main building that you can buy in the ETH Store or online. A great cause twice over, because CHF 5 of the sales price goes towards promoting teaching and research at ETH Zurich.
“Since I know the Excellence Scholarship from first-hand experience, I know that the money is being put to good use. I’m supporting ETH to give something back and to keep a good thing going.”
David Mzee
Wheelchair rugby player on the Swiss national team, former Excellence Scholar and donor

"There are people today who find themselves in a similar situation to mine 25 years ago. For me, it’s fantastic if I can support a young person like this."
Dr Hartmut Rudmann
Consultant, ETH alumnus and donor
