Spend a summer doing hands-on research at one of Europe’s top technical universities. The École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), through its School of Life Sciences, runs the Summer Research Program (SRP), offering international undergraduate and first-year Master’s students eight weeks of lab immersion on the shores of Lake Geneva. Around 25 participants join each summer, working within one of EPFL’s roughly 500 research groups. The 2027 edition runs for 8 weeks, with EPFL’s annual application deadline historically falling in mid-November the year before — so plan to apply well ahead of the 2027 summer.
EPFL Life Sciences Summer Research Program 2027 Details:
- Host Country: Switzerland (Lausanne)
- Host Institution: École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), School of Life Sciences
- Programme Type: Summer research internship
- Duration: 8 weeks
- Number of Participants: Around 25 per summer
- Financial Coverage: Includes flight reimbursement; additional benefits not fully itemized on the official page
- Deadline: Historically mid-November annually — confirm the exact 2027 date directly on EPFL’s SRP page before applying
Also check this USTC Research Internship 2027 in China for another research-focused internship with a different funding structure.
Financial Benefits
According to EPFL’s official Summer Research Program page and its program description:
- Flight reimbursement, up to CHF 1,000 for overseas travel or CHF 500 for shorter distances
- A rich program of social activities, including a hike to the Swiss Alps with raclette, a barbecue, and an excursion to CERN
- Access to EPFL’s research infrastructure, spanning roughly 500 labs and research groups
Not confirmed on the official page: an itemized monthly stipend or housing allowance. If a living stipend or accommodation support is part of the 2027 package, confirm the specific figure directly on EPFL’s SRP page before relying on it.
Also apply for WHO Health Department Internship 2027 in Switzerland if you’re also considering other funded opportunities in Switzerland.
Eligibility Criteria
- Academic Level: Enrolled in a Bachelor’s or Master’s program (PhD students aren’t eligible)
- Academic Progress: Must have completed at least your second Bachelor’s year in a relevant field at the time of application
- Field of Study: Life sciences, biology, biophysics, chemistry, bioengineering, bioinformatics, quantitative biology, genetics, or related fields
- Nationality: Open to national and international students
- Interest: Must show a strong, demonstrable interest in pursuing a career in life sciences
Also check this Maastricht University Scholarships 2027 in the Netherlands for a longer-term fully funded Master’s alternative in Europe.
Required Documents
Based on EPFL’s official application requirements:
- CV (1–2 pages)
- Motivation letter (maximum 750 words)
- Explanation of three lab choices (2–3 sentences per lab)
- University transcript, or your school’s official list of classes and grades
- Two letters of recommendation
Only applications with the complete set of materials are considered.
How to Apply for the EPFL Life Sciences Summer Research Program 2027?
Review EPFL’s roughly 500 research groups first, and identify three labs that genuinely match your interests, since you’ll need to choose and justify three choices.
Prepare every document in advance. The online application must be completed in a single session, with no option to save and return later, so have your CV, transcripts, motivation letter, and referee details ready before you start.
Line up your two referees early. EPFL sends an automatic reference request once you submit your application, so confirm your referees are ready to respond promptly.
Submit your complete application through EPFL’s official online portal before the annual deadline.
Wait for your result. EPFL typically notifies applicants of the outcome around four to six weeks after the deadline closes.
Official Website
The link to the Official Website is given below
Frequently Asked Questions:
It’s an eight-week lab immersion program at EPFL’s School of Life Sciences in Lausanne, Switzerland, for international undergraduate and first-year Master’s students in life sciences-related fields.
EPFL confirms flight reimbursement (up to CHF 1,000) as part of the program. A full breakdown of any additional stipend or housing support isn’t itemized on the official page, so confirm current benefits directly before applying.
Students enrolled in a Bachelor’s or Master’s program (not PhD) who’ve completed at least their second Bachelor’s year in a relevant life sciences field, from any nationality.
No application fee is mentioned on EPFL’s official page.
Five: a CV, a motivation letter, your choice of three labs with justification, transcripts, and two letters of recommendation.
On EPFL’s School of Life Sciences Summer Research Program page.