Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL) Summer Research Program

Opportunity Description:

The EPFL Summer Research Program offers international bachelor/1st year master’s students eight weeks of lab immersion during the summer. Selected students will join one of the EPFL's research groups and experience what it means to be part of the thriving science community in Switzerland.

Program Features

• 25 participants each summer
• 8 weeks of lab experience
• Mentoring by faculty and scientific staff
• Access to scientific seminars
• Science related Friday afternoon workshops
• Closing symposium with poster sessions from all participants
• Rich program of social activities, including a day hike to Swiss alps with raclette, BBQ at a professors home and an excursion to the CERN

Length/Timing:

• 2 months – July to August, specific dates vary by year
• Students must be present during the entire program

Stipend and Travel Costs:

• Each student receives CHF 3,200 for the two-month period which covers housing and living costs.
• Housing is reserved and paid for out of the stipends beforehand.
• Students are housed together either in Lausanne or Geneva depending on lab assignment.
• Students have either single rooms or double rooms and share a kitchen and bathroom facilities with their fellow SRP participants.
• The majority of travel costs to and from Switzerland is covered. The program reimburses up to CHF 1,000 for overseas flights and CHF 500 for shorter distances

Minimum Qualifications and/or Eligibility Requirements: 

Students must

• Be currently enrolled in a university in biology, bio-physics, chemistry, bio-engineering, bio-informatics, quantitative biology, genetics courses or a similar life sciences program
• Have a minimum of GPA equivalent to a 3.75/4.0 grade or higher
• Have completed at least two years of undergraduate work up to the first year of a master’s degree
• Show a strong interest in pursuing a career in life sciences

Application Process: 

The selection is based upon

• Your CV (1-2 pages)
• Your motivation letter (maximum 750 words)
• The explanation of 3 lab choices (2-3 sentences per lab)
• University transcript or school official list of classes and grades
• Two letters of recommendation
• Basic life sciences understanding is essential; previous lab experience is a plus

Please submit PDF uploads of all the above mentioned documents. Only applications with the full application material will be taken into consideration.

All materials should be submitted through the online application.

ATTENTION: Prepare all your documents (CV, Motivation Letter, Lab Explanations, Transcripts) and contact details for your 2 referees (name, institution, and email address) in advance. Once you begin your application, you must finish it in one sitting. You cannot save it and come back.

All applicants will receive an email about four weeks after the deadline with the result of their application.

Application deadline is January 31 every year.