Welcome to zwitsernet

The zwitsernet logo: four arrows converging on a Swiss cross, above the zwitsernet wordmark

The Swiss Education, Research and Innovation Network in the Netherlands

Who we are

About zwitsernet

zwitsernet is a foundation (Stichting) that brings together Swiss and Swiss-connected scientists, students and professionals across the Netherlands. It fosters collaboration, exchange and innovation, serving as an academic bridge between Switzerland and the Netherlands.

The network promotes knowledge-sharing, supports mobility and strengthens institutional links.

Through its six local chapters in Dutch university cities, zwitsernet organises academic events, facilitates research collaboration and promotes the values of Swiss educational excellence across the Netherlands.

Our Chapters Join zwitsernet
A Swiss alpine village on a green mountainside, with snow-capped peaks above a deep valley
The Name

What ZWITSERNet Stands For

Z
Zwitsers
W
Wetenschap
I
Innovatie
T
Technologie
S
Science, Students & Skills
E
Education
R
Research
N
Network in the Netherlands
What We Provide

What zwitsernet Offers

Platform for collaboration among Swiss researchers and professionals in the Netherlands

Increased visibility of Swiss-Dutch scientific cooperation

Forum to engage with Swiss institutions, policymakers and partners

Support for early-career researchers through mentoring and networking

Access to funding opportunities (NWO, SNF, Weave, ENLIGHT, IDEA League)

Connections with the Swiss-Dutch Business Council (SDBC)

Institutional Network

Our Partners & Institutions

zwitsernet operates in close partnership with leading Swiss institutions and the Swiss Embassy in The Hague.

ETH Zurich logo
ETH Zurich
EPFL Lausanne logo
EPFL Lausanne
Università della Svizzera italiana logo
Università della Svizzera italiana
University of Bern logo
University of Bern
swissnex logo
swissnex
Swiss Embassy in The Hague logo
Swiss Embassy The Hague
Across the Netherlands

Our Chapters

zwitsernet is active across six Dutch university cities. Each chapter is led by a focal point embedded within the local academic environment, organising events and fostering connections between Swiss and Dutch researchers and students.

Stay Connected Student Network
Two Dutch windmills beside a frozen canal at dusk
Delft Eindhoven Groningen Maastricht Utrecht Wageningen AmsterdamUpcoming · April 2027
Map of the Netherlands with the zwitsernet chapters
  • Chapter
  • Upcoming chapter, April 2027Amsterdam: University of Amsterdam (UvA), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU)

Delft

Portrait of Massimo Mastrangeli
Massimo Mastrangeli Associate Professor in Microelectronics
Profile LinkedIn
Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)
Launched

Eindhoven

Portrait of Irena Zivkovic
Irena Zivkovic Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering
Profile LinkedIn
Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e)
Launched

Groningen

Portrait of Adrian Favero
Adrian Favero Assistant Professor in European Politics and Society
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University of Groningen
Launched

Maastricht

Portrait of Christoph Meng
Christoph Meng Head of Research Support Office
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Maastricht University School of Business and Economics
Launched

Utrecht

Portrait of Sandra Hauswirth
Sandra Hauswirth Post Doctoral Researcher
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Utrecht University
Launched

Wageningen

Portrait of Daniel Probst
Daniel Probst Assistant Professor in Bioinformatics
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Wageningen University & Research
Launched
Student stream

Student ZWITSERNet

Portrait of Julia Weschke
Julia Weschke President, Student ZWITSERNet
LinkedIn

Student ZWITSERNet is the student organisation of zwitsernet, run by and for students at Dutch universities.

studentzwitsernet.nl
Leadership

National Board

zwitsernet is led by a national board of Swiss academics and professionals based in the Netherlands.

Portrait of Didier Meuwly

Didier Meuwly

President
Principal Scientist at the Netherlands Forensic Institute, Chair of Forensic Biometrics at the University of Twente
Profile LinkedIn
Portrait of George Papafotiou

George Papafotiou

Vice President
Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering, Chair of the Electromechanics and Power Electronics Group, Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e)
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Portrait of Kendra Valck

Kendra Valck

Second Vice President
Head of Marketing and Communications, School of Business and Economics, Maastricht University
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Portrait of Alexandre Afonso

Alexandre Afonso

Treasurer
Associate Professor at Leiden University
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Portrait of Clemens Dransfeld

Clemens Dransfeld

Head of External Relations
Professor of Aerospace Manufacturing Technologies at Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)
Profile LinkedIn
Portrait of Shima Rajabali

Shima Rajabali

Head of Communications
Assistant Professor, Quantum & Computer Engineering Department, Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)
Profile LinkedIn
Portrait of Irena Zivkovic

Irena Zivkovic

Head of Internal Relations
Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e)
Profile LinkedIn
Portrait of Julia Weschke

Julia Weschke

Head of Student Association
President, Student zwitsernet; Master's student, Maastricht University
LinkedIn
Portrait of Fabian Grass

Fabian Grass

Permanent Invitee
Deputy Head of Mission for bilateral affairs, Embassy of Switzerland to the Netherlands
Embassy LinkedIn
The Swiss flag flying from a mast against a bright sky
Research stays in Switzerland

Bernoulli Fellowship

The Bernoulli Swiss Scientific Travel Fellowship was launched by the Embassy of Switzerland in 2025 to spark new Swiss-Dutch research partnerships.

Who can apply?

Students and researchers at Dutch universities and research institutes, in any discipline and at any career stage.

What is supported?

A targeted research stay of at least five days in Switzerland, with a clear objective and expected outcomes.

What comes next?

Fellows report on their outcomes and share their experience, including on social media.

The ambition

Lasting partnerships, joint projects, publications and future exchanges.

2025 call

3fellows selected
Portrait of Clem Li
Clem Li TU Delft → EPFL
Portrait of Clemens Kaiser
Clemens Kaiser University of Groningen → University of Bern
Portrait of Corinna Rott
Corinna Rott Maastricht University → University of Bern / Inselspital

2026 call

3fellows selected
Portrait of Tim van Emmerik
Tim van Emmerik Wageningen University & Research → University of Bern
Portrait of Marta Marcora
Marta Marcora University of Groningen → Università della Svizzera italiana
Portrait of Arthemy Kiselev
Arthemy Kiselev University of Groningen → ETH Zurich

Stay tuned: the next call is planned for the second half of 2027.

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Latest Updates

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Stay up to date with events, research highlights, and chapter news from across the Netherlands.

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