EPFL Summer Research Program 2027 offers eight weeks of life-sciences laboratory experience in Switzerland, with CHF 3,600 for the full two-month period. Applications are open for the programme running from 5 July to 27 August 2027; the deadline is 15 November 2026 at 23:59 CET.
The funding is a total award, not a monthly salary. Housing is paid from it before arrival. Read the funding breakdown and eligibility conditions before deciding whether this opportunity fits your studies and budget.
Read the official programme and apply
EPFL Summer Research Program 2027 funding
- CHF 3,600 total for two months, including housing and living costs.
- Housing is arranged and deducted in advance, leaving approximately CHF 1,700 for living expenses.
- Travel reimbursement is capped at CHF 1,000 for overseas journeys or CHF 500 for shorter distances.
The FAQ says travel is reimbursed after the programme. Personal tourism needs your own budget. Some Geneva-lab placements receive additional travel support.
When planning, keep the timing of a reimbursement separate from the amount covered. You may need money earlier to pay for a journey, even if part of its cost can later be claimed. Avoid booking non-refundable travel until you have an offer and the organisers’ instructions. Use the written award details to check your actual arrangements rather than treating the headline figure as spending money.
Who can apply?
The programme welcomes students worldwide in relevant life-sciences fields. By the start, applicants must have completed at least two undergraduate years and be no further than the first year of a master’s degree. Enrolment must continue throughout the programme, and attendance is required for all eight weeks. PhD students are excluded.
EPFL publishes an academic benchmark of 3.75/4.0 or the top 5% of a class. Its FAQ says an application close to 3.75 can still be evaluated, while stressing the competitive selection. Related coursework in human life sciences is important; the FAQ excludes veterinary/animal-science and plant-science backgrounds. Previous research experience is helpful but not mandatory.
Check your university calendar and enrolment status before preparing the application. A clash with examinations or an early return date could prevent full participation. If you are moving from a bachelor’s degree to a master’s, read EPFL’s specific transition guidance rather than assuming that a gap between courses automatically qualifies.
What the research experience includes
Participants join ongoing laboratory projects with scientific supervision, attend seminars and development workshops, and present their work at a closing symposium. The programme covers human-health-related life sciences, including experimental and computational approaches.
To choose a laboratory, start with the current participating-lab list. Read a lab’s description and a small selection of its recent work. Note the research question, the techniques involved and the connection to subjects you have studied. That preparation will help you distinguish a genuine research interest from a general wish to spend a summer abroad.
You do not need to pretend you already know every method. Explain your current understanding honestly and identify specific skills you hope to learn. Where you describe past work, separate your own contribution from the work of a whole group. These are application-preparation suggestions, not extra eligibility rules.
How to apply for EPFL Summer Research Program 2027
Prepare the short personal and scientific answers, transcripts and referee details before opening the online application. The application must be completed in one sitting; it cannot be saved for later. EPFL asks for one recommendation and accepts applications only through its online process.
- Read the official application page and FAQs, including the current essay prompts and character limits.
- Check the available laboratories and prepare specific reasons for your choices.
- Prepare your transcripts and any explanation or translation required by the FAQ.
- Confirm that your referee can provide a recommendation, then enter their contact details carefully.
- Review and submit before the deadline, leaving time for the recommendation.
The referee’s upload invitation is triggered only after you submit. The FAQ also says applicants will be asked how they used AI when preparing their application. Follow those disclosure instructions and ensure every statement represents your own experience and understanding.
Keep your draft answers in a separate document so that a browser problem does not destroy your work. Check character counts, not just word counts, where the form uses a character limit. Before pasting an answer, read it once more beside the exact question. A polished paragraph can still miss what the question asks.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a full degree scholarship?
No. It is a short summer research programme. Applicants remain students in their own degree programmes.
Is CHF 3,600 a monthly payment?
No. It is the stated total for the two-month programme, with housing paid from it.
Does selection guarantee a future research position?
No. Treat the opportunity as a defined summer learning experience, not a promise of later admission or employment.
For other options, explore our internship and research opportunities, checking each programme’s own academic and funding rules.
Official sources
- Current 2027 programme and application link
- Programme dates, activities and financial support
- Eligibility and application instructions
- FAQs, document requirements and funding details
Checked on 9 November 2026. Opportunities Feed is an independent publisher. EPFL determines eligibility, selection, laboratory assignments and award arrangements.
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