EPFL Summer Research Program 2027 in Switzerland

The EPFL School of Life Sciences Summer Research Program is an international research internship designed for talented students who want to explore a future career in life sciences.
Participants spend eight weeks working in one of EPFL’s participating research laboratories under the supervision of faculty members and scientific staff. Research areas span a wide range of modern life sciences, including bioengineering, neuroscience, microbiology, quantitative biology, biomaterials, computational biology, structural biology, immunology, molecular biology and related interdisciplinary fields.
The programme combines laboratory research with scientific seminars, professional-development workshops, networking activities and social events. Participants are expected to work approximately 40 hours per week on research-related activities and must remain on site for the full programme period from 5 July to 27 August 2027.
The programme concludes with a symposium where participants present their research through a poster or presentation to members of the EPFL Life Sciences community. Some participating laboratories are based at EPFL’s extended campus in Geneva. Students placed there remain housed in Lausanne and receive additional support for the extra travel involved.

• Applicants may come from anywhere in the world.
• Applicants must currently be enrolled in a university degree programme.
• Applicants must remain enrolled as students throughout the SRP programme.
• Applicants must have completed at least two years of undergraduate study before the programme begins.
• Eligible applicants may be studying up to the first year of a Master’s degree.
• PhD students are not eligible.
• Applicants should be studying Biology, Biophysics, Chemistry, Bioengineering, Bioinformatics, Quantitative Biology, Genetics, Medical Sciences or another related life sciences field.
• Applicants must have a GPA equivalent to at least 3.75/4.0 or rank within approximately the top 5% of their class.
• Applicants must demonstrate a strong interest in pursuing a career in life sciences.
• Basic life sciences knowledge is essential.
• Previous laboratory experience is considered an advantage but is not mandatory.
• Applicants must be available for the complete programme period from 5 July to 27 August 2027.
• Applicants with primarily veterinary/animal-science or plant-science backgrounds are not selected under the current programme scope.

• CHF 3,600 stipend for the two-month programme.
• Housing arranged by EPFL.
• Housing costs deducted from the stipend before arrival.
• Approximately CHF 1,700 normally remains after housing for living expenses.
• Travel reimbursement of up to CHF 1,000 for overseas flights.
• Travel reimbursement of up to CHF 500 for shorter-distance travel.
• Additional support for students placed in Geneva laboratories.
• Eight weeks of hands-on laboratory research.
• Mentoring by EPFL faculty and scientific staff.
• Access to scientific seminars.
• Career and professional-development workshops.
• Scientific-integrity and research-related training.
• Social and networking activities.
• Closing research symposium.
• Opportunity to experience research at a leading Swiss university.
• Visa guidance and an invitation letter for selected students who require a Swiss visa.

Applicants should prepare:

• University Bachelor’s transcript.
• Master’s transcript if already enrolled in a Master’s programme.
• Short personal essay responses.
• Short scientific essay responses linked to selected laboratories.
• Details of relevant professional or internship experience.
• Details of academic achievements and awards.
• Choice of up to three participating EPFL laboratories.
• Contact details for one referee.
• One recommendation letter submitted directly by the referee.

EPFL does not require:

• A formal CV.
• A traditional motivation letter.
• Formal proof of English proficiency.

Selection considers:

• Academic performance.
• GPA or class ranking.
• Quality of personal essay responses.
• Quality of scientific essay responses.
• Academic transcript.
• Recommendation letter.
• Basic understanding of life sciences.
• Alignment with selected research laboratories.
• Potential for scientific research.
• Motivation for a career in life sciences.
• Ability to participate effectively in an international programme.

Previous laboratory experience is an advantage but not a formal requirement.

• Conduct research at one of Europe’s leading science and technology universities.
• Gain eight weeks of intensive laboratory experience.
• Work with EPFL researchers and scientific staff.
• Learn modern research techniques.
• Strengthen experimental design and critical-thinking skills.
• Explore potential graduate-study and research careers.
• Build an international scientific network.
• Participate in seminars and professional-development workshops.
• Present your work at a final research symposium.
• Experience academic and cultural life in Switzerland.