International Summer Student Programme (ISSP) at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin 2026

Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB) has announced the opening of applications for the International Summer Student Programme (ISSP) 2026, which will take place from 6 July to 28 August 2026 at the Berlin-Wannsee and Berlin-Adlershof campuses.
Applications open on 20 October 2025 and close on 14 December 2025.

About the Programme

Every summer, HZB offers a unique opportunity for 20 undergraduate students from around the world to participate in an eight-week research-based summer programme.
The programme allows students to work on their own research project in close collaboration with HZB scientists in various fields, including:

• Photon Science
  
• Solar Energy and Photovoltaics
  
• Chemical Catalysis
  
• Electrochemical Energy Storage
  
• Quantum and Functional Materials
  
• Accelerator Research
  

Participants engage in daily research activities within laboratory teams and experimental facilities, gaining hands-on scientific experience in an advanced research environment.

The programme also includes a variety of complementary activities, such as:

• Visits to HZB research facilities (e.g., the BESSY II synchrotron radiation source and solar energy research laboratories).
  
• Excursions to research institutions in and around Berlin.
  
• Workshops on topics like science communication and entrepreneurship.
  
• A closing event featuring scientific poster presentations.
  

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants are eligible to apply if they meet all of the following requirements:

• Be an undergraduate or master’s student (not a PhD candidate).
  
• Be enrolled in one of the following or related fields: Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, Structural Biology, Mathematics, Engineering, Life Sciences, or Environmental Sciences.
  
• Have completed at least two years of full-time university study in their major discipline.
  
• Remain enrolled at their home university throughout the entire programme period (6 July – 28 August 2026).
  
• Possess a good command of English (knowledge of German is an advantage).
  
• Be able to provide a letter of recommendation with their application.
  

HZB welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds, with special encouragement for female students, in line with the institute’s commitment to gender equality and increasing women’s representation in science.

Working Conditions

• Programme duration: 6 July – 28 August 2026 (8 consecutive weeks)
  
• Full participation for the entire period is mandatory.
  
• Working hours: 40 hours per week
  
• Internship contract: 8-week research project placement
  

Financial Support

• €1,900 (gross) subsistence allowance for students coming from outside Berlin or Potsdam.
  
• €1,000 (gross) subsistence allowance for students enrolled at universities in Berlin or Potsdam.
  
• Travel cost support: 75% reimbursement up to a maximum of:
  
  • €200 for students from EU countries (including the UK).
    
  • €800 for students from non-EU countries.
    

How to Apply

Application Deadline: 14 December 2025

In the first application stage, all required documents must be submitted in English or German (in an accessible, non-protected format).

Required Documents

1. Academic CV:
   
   • In tabular and chronological form, clearly structured and concise (maximum 2 pages).
     
2. Certificate of Enrolment:
   
   • Must be valid until the end of August 2026.
     
   • If the summer 2026 certificate is not yet available, applicants can submit the current one temporarily.
     
3. Academic Transcript and Certificates (if applicable):
   
   • Showing completed courses and grades.
     
4. Copy of Passport or ID Card.
   
5. Letter of Recommendation:
   
   • Written by a professor or supervisor who knows the applicant well and can assess their academic performance and professional conduct.
     
6. Declaration of Certificate of Enrolment (ZAV Form):
   
   • Mandatory for students from non-EU countries.
     
   • Must be signed and stamped by the home university.