Since the war broke out in Ukraine, EPFL has enacted numerous measures aimed at supporting our Ukrainian communities and making it possible for Ukrainian refugees to come to EPFL. All these measures are being coordinated by the Ukraine Solidarity Operating Committee.

Three of these programs are designed to help integrate Ukrainian refugees on our campus, with the support of EPFL’s upper management.

In the first, students enrolled in a Bachelor’s or Master’s program in Ukraine can register free of charge as auditors at EPFL and receive ECTS credits for each course they pass. Alternatively, they can register as visiting students – again, free of charge – in order to carry out a research project in the field they were studying at their Ukrainian university. And Ukrainian students with a Swiss S permit who are interested in enrolling in one of EPFL’s Bachelor’s programs may apply for our preparatory year course (CMS).

In the second, the application process for our PhD programs has been streamlined. Applications should be sent to: [email protected]. Scientific staff (including PhD students and postdocs) can speak with their supervisor about extending their contract.

Lastly, the Scholars at Risk program, with the support of the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF), makes it possible for Swiss universities and institutes to host researchers so they can continue their work. The SNSF has allocated nine million francs to help researchers affected by the war in Ukraine, several of whom will join EPFL under this program. Interested researchers should send their request to [email protected]. EPFL will also consider providing internal funding to researchers who have had to flee Ukraine.

These programs are already up and running. So far:

• one visiting professor has begun working in the College of Management
• seven PhD applications are being reviewed
• two people will be hired as scientists as part of the Scholars at Risk program
• five students have registered for classes as auditors or visiting students.

We are regularly updating our ukraine.epfl.ch website, which contains important information for existing members of our community and for refugees interested in joining EPFL as students or researchers. There is also information on what we can all do to help.

Our efforts are now focused on integrating all these people into our community and ensuring they feel welcome here.

We are deeply saddened by the war in Ukraine, and our thoughts go out to everyone who is affected either directly or indirectly.

Please remember that both financial assistance and counseling are available to students in need through EPFL’s Student Affairs office.