Work alongside scientists at the world’s largest particle physics laboratory. The CERN Summer Student Programme, run by the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Geneva, lets bachelor’s and master’s students in physics, computing, engineering, and maths join research teams for 8 to 13 weeks. Students also attend lectures, visit the accelerators, and write a short report on their work. All nationalities can apply, and students from Canada, Japan, and the United States apply through their own national programmes. CERN’s listing gives a deadline of 21 January 2027, and the ideal start date is 21 June 2027.
CERN Summer Student Programme 2027 Details:
- Host Country: Switzerland (Geneva)
- Organizer: CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research)
- Programme Type: Paid student research programme
- Duration: 8 to 13 weeks
- Ideal Start Date: 21 June 2027
- Format: Full-time, fully on site
- Financial Coverage: Paid allowance of up to CHF 94 per day, per CERN’s listing
- Deadline: 21 January 2027 at 23:59 Geneva time
Also check this USTC Research Internship 2027 in China for another research placement with different funding tiers.
Financial Benefits
CERN’s job listing says students receive a daily allowance of up to CHF 94. The official programme page doesn’t spell out other benefits, so I’ve marked these as reported:
- A daily subsistence allowance, up to CHF 94 per day
- An economy-class travel allowance, according to a listing site
- CERN hostel accommodation, according to a listing site
- Lectures, visits, workshops, and a poster session as part of the programme
Confirm the exact allowance, travel, and housing terms on CERN’s careers page before you rely on them.
Also apply for Salzburg Global Internship 2027 in Austria if you’re also looking at internships in Europe.
Fields Covered by the CERN Summer Student Programme
The programme welcomes students in:
- Physics
- Computing
- Engineering
- Mathematics
CERN also runs a separate openlab Summer Student Programme for computing-focused students, with its own application page.
Eligibility Criteria
- Level: Bachelor’s or master’s students in physics, computing, engineering, or maths
- Enrolment: You must stay a full-time student during your summer at CERN
- Past CERN Work: You haven’t worked at CERN for more than three months in any other status
- Past Participation: You haven’t taken part in the Summer Student Programme before
- English: A good knowledge of English
- Nationality: All nationals can apply. Canadian, Japanese, and US nationals must apply through their national websites instead
- Study Progress: One secondary source says applicants need six completed semesters of university study, so confirm this on CERN’s careers page
Also check this KAUST Scholarship 2027 in Saudi Arabia if you want a fully funded graduate research route after your degree.
Required Documents
CERN’s openlab listing, which follows the same format, asks for:
- Your CV, in English or French
- An academic reference letter, dated within the last 12 months
- An official academic transcript
Check the Summer Student application form for the exact list.
How to Apply for the CERN Summer Student Programme 2027?
Check your nationality first. Canadian, Japanese, and US students apply through their own national sites, and everyone else uses CERN’s careers portal.
Prepare your documents. Get your CV, reference letter, and official transcript ready before you start.
Select the right track. CERN’s listing separates Member State and Non-Member State nationals, so pick the one that matches your nationality.
Complete the online application on CERN Careers. Submit it by 21 January 2027 at 23:59 Geneva time.
Check your confirmation email. CERN sends a confirmation with a link after you submit.
Wait for the decision. CERN reviews applications and contacts selected students later in the cycle.
Official Website
Link to the Official Website is given below
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s a programme where bachelor’s and master’s students in physics, computing, engineering, and maths work with CERN research teams for 8 to 13 weeks.
CERN pays a daily allowance of up to CHF 94, according to its job listing. Travel and housing support is reported by listing sites, so confirm it on CERN’s careers page.
Students of all nationalities who stay enrolled full-time, haven’t done the programme before, and haven’t worked at CERN for over three months.
They must apply through their national websites, which the CERN page links.
CERN asks for a good knowledge of English. The listing doesn’t mention an IELTS or TOEFL score.
On the CERN Careers summer page.