About this opportunity
The EPFL Summer Research Program places students in a Lausanne or Geneva research lab for two months, from 5 July to 27 August 2027, to carry out independent project work alongside researchers and see what a research career actually involves. Each student receives CHF 3,600 for the two month period, which covers housing and living costs, with housing reserved and paid from the stipend beforehand, leaving approximately CHF 1,700 to live on.
Travel is supported as well. The programme reimburses up to CHF 1,000 for overseas flights and CHF 500 for shorter distances, and students working in Geneva labs receive a larger stipend to cover the extra commuting.
Students are housed in single rooms near the EPFL campus in Lausanne, sharing kitchens and bathrooms with other participants, and the programme adds seminars, lab rotations and excursions including a visit to CERN. Applicants must be currently enrolled at a university in biology, bio physics, chemistry, bio engineering, bio informatics, quantitative biology, genetics, medicine or another life sciences related programme, and must hold a minimum grade point average equivalent to 3.
75 out of 4. 0 or higher.
The programme publishes no nationality restriction, so students enrolled at Nigerian and other African universities may apply, but students must be present for the entire programme. The online application cannot be saved part way through, so prepare your transcript, your short answer essays and your referee's contact details before you start.
Applications close on 15 November 2026 at 23:59 CET, and every applicant is emailed a decision about six weeks after the
Application timeline
What you receive
- CHF 3,600 stipend for the two month programme
- Housing reserved and paid near the EPFL campus in Lausanne
- Travel reimbursement of up to CHF 1,000 for overseas flights and CHF 500 for shorter distances
- Independent research project work in a participating lab from 5 July to 27 August 2027
- Seminars, lab rotations and excursions including a visit to CERN
Who can apply
- Currently enrolled in a university in biology, bio physics, chemistry, bio engineering, bio informatics, quantitative biology, genetics, medicine or another life sciences related programme
- A minimum grade point average equivalent to 3.75 out of 4.0 or higher
- No nationality restriction is published, so students enrolled anywhere including Nigeria may apply
- Must be present for the entire programme from 5 July to 27 August 2027
Documents to prepare
- University transcript or transcripts
- Short answer essays, with the topics published in the programme FAQs
- Contact details for one referee
- Lab choice explanations
How to apply
- Review the programme description and the participating labs for 2027
- Prepare your transcript, short answer essays, lab choices and referee details in advance
- Complete the online application in one sitting, since it cannot be saved and resumed
- Submit before 15 November 2026 at 23:59 CET
Sources and verification
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Questions applicants ask
How much does the programme pay?
Each student receives CHF 3,600 for the two month period, which covers housing and living costs, with roughly CHF 1,700 left to live on after housing is paid.
Is there an application fee?
No, the online application is free, but it cannot be saved part way so all documents must be ready before you start.
Can Nigerian students apply?
Yes. The programme publishes no nationality restriction, only enrolment in a life sciences related degree and the minimum grade requirement.
Important disclaimer
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