The School of Life Sciences at EPFL, Switzerland, announces the opening of applications for its prestigious Summer Research Program, which takes place in Lausanne on the shores of Lake Geneva, from July 3 to August 27, 2026.
The program targets outstanding students from around the world and provides an advanced research experience combining engineering, quantitative biology, and modern life sciences.
Program Details
- Program Name: EPFL School of Life Sciences Summer Research Program (SRP)
- Duration: 8 weeks (July 3 – August 27, 2026)
- Location: School of Life Sciences – Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland, with some laboratories located in Geneva (Campus Biotech).
- Funding Type: Fully funded (includes stipend, housing, and travel costs).
- Number of Participants: 20 – 25 students each summer.
- Working Language: English (no proof of language required, but an interview may be conducted via Zoom).
- Application Deadline: November 15, 2025, 23:59 CET.
- Notification of Results: Before December 20, 2025 (by email).
Funding Provided
- Each student receives a stipend of CHF 3,600 covering housing and living expenses.
- Housing is pre-arranged and deducted from the stipend, leaving students with approximately CHF 1,700 for personal expenses.
- Accommodation is in Lausanne near the EPFL campus, typically in single rooms with shared kitchen and bathroom facilities with other SRP participants.
- The program covers most travel costs:
- Up to CHF 1,000 for long-distance flights.
- Up to CHF 500 for shorter distances.
- Students placed in Geneva labs receive an additional allowance to cover daily commuting costs.
- Up to CHF 1,000 for long-distance flights.
Program Features
- 8 weeks of direct laboratory research experience.
- Academic mentoring from faculty and scientific staff.
- Participation in scientific seminars.
- Weekly Friday afternoon workshops for scientific and personal development.
- Closing symposium with poster session or oral presentations by all participants.
- A variety of social activities (hiking trips in the Swiss Alps with raclette, BBQs, and possible visits to major institutions such as CERN).
Scientific Goals and Benefits
- Engage in ongoing research within EPFL School of Life Sciences laboratories.
- Learn new techniques related to current health issues.
- Develop critical thinking and experimental design skills.
- Prepare for future independent research at the graduate level.
- Gain insight into the nature of scientific research and academic careers.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Be currently enrolled in a university program in one of the following fields: biology, biophysics, chemistry, bioengineering, bioinformatics, quantitative biology, genetics, medicine, or related life sciences disciplines.
- Have a strong academic record equivalent to a minimum GPA of 3.75/4.0 or be within the top 5% of their class.
- Have completed at least two years of undergraduate studies by the start of the program (up to the first year of a master’s degree).
- Demonstrate a clear interest in pursuing a career in life sciences.
- Submit the application exclusively through the online application system.
Selection Criteria
- Academic performance (GPA).
- Short personal and scientific essays (questions provided in the FAQs).
- Academic transcript (Bachelor’s + Master’s, if applicable).
- One recommendation letter from a professor or academic supervisor.
- Basic understanding of life sciences is essential; prior lab experience is an asset.
Application Steps
Preparation Before Applying
- Write short personal and scientific essays in advance.
- Prepare academic transcripts (translated into English if not in one of the accepted languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, or Italian).
- Provide referee details (academic recommender).
Submitting the Application
- Online applications open at the end of September 2025.
- Deadline: November 15, 2025 – 23:59 CET.
- Results will be sent via email by December 20, 2025.
Recommendation Letter
- Once the application is submitted, a link will automatically be sent to the professor/supervisor to upload the letter of recommendation.
- Final deadline for recommendation letters: November 20, 2025 – 11:59 CET.
- Applicants can track the progress of their recommendation letter through the referee management portal.
