The EPFL Summer in the Lab Internship places eligible EPFL Bachelor students in a research laboratory for eight weeks. The summer 2027 call is open until 30 November 2026, and selected students receive a CHF 4,000 scholarship. Only 2nd and 3rd year EPFL Bachelor students can apply, so check that rule first.
Participants work in one of roughly 500 EPFL laboratories, either on a project agreed with a professor or in one of three laboratories they rank. The programme adds two interpersonal training workshops and ends with a research symposium in September. This guide summarises the benefits, eligibility, documents and steps from the official programme pages.
EPFL Summer in the Lab Internship Details
Summer in the Lab is a full-time research internship of eight weeks run by EPFL’s Bachelor education services. Placements take place on site in Lausanne or at associated campuses in Neuchâtel, Fribourg, Geneva and Sion. About 25 students join the programme each year.
Exact dates are agreed with the host laboratory during the June to September summer period. Interns complete two compulsory interpersonal training workshops and present their work at a research symposium in September. EPFL confers an official certificate of completion together with the Bachelor’s degree.
Programme / vacancy | EPFL Summer in the Lab Internship Program |
|---|---|
Official host | EPFL (École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne) |
Location | Lausanne and associated EPFL campuses, Switzerland |
Level / route | Research internship for EPFL Bachelor students |
Duration / start | 8 weeks, summer 2027 |
Verified support | CHF 4,000 scholarship for each selected student |
Deadline | 30 November 2026 |
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EPFL Summer in the Lab Internship Benefits
Each selected student receives a total scholarship of CHF 4,000 for the eight-week placement. The programme also covers a training track in transversal skills designed for scientists.
The main benefit is practical research experience inside an EPFL laboratory. Interns work alongside researchers, learn research techniques and test whether a research career suits them. The listed benefits are:
Students who want another research route can compare this programme with the CIEL Internship Program. Each opportunity has its own eligibility rules, so read the host’s conditions before applying.
EPFL Summer in the Lab Internship Eligibility
The programme is open only to 2nd or 3rd year EPFL Bachelor students at the time of application. Exchange students are not eligible, and applicants must hold regular student status.
EPFL also sets an academic threshold and looks for clear research motivation. You may apply to either Summer in the Lab or Laidlaw, but not both; dual applications are not considered. The official eligibility criteria are:
Students from other universities cannot use this route. They can instead look at the USTC Research Internship Program or the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships, each with its own conditions.
Requirements and Documents
The application is document-based, so gather every file before you open the online portal. EPFL lets you present your motivation in one of three formats.
Choose the motivation format that best explains your research interests; EPFL values all three equally. Provide two referee contacts, and ensure at least one reference letter arrives before the deadline. Monitor its submission in the application portal. The required items are:
How to Apply
Applications go through the online portal linked from the official eligibility and application page. Prepare your documents first, then complete the form in one sitting.
Students who choose the video format send the file through SwissTransfer to the programme email. You can also arrange a specific project with an EPFL professor in advance instead of ranking laboratories. Follow these steps:
Application Deadline
EPFL states that applications for summer 2027 internships are open until 30 November 2026. The page checked does not give a closing time or time zone, so submit well before the date.
A late file risks exclusion from the selection round. If you want a second research option, the AI Internships guide lists other internships, each with its own timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
These answers cover the questions students ask most about this programme. They follow the official EPFL pages.
Where the official page gives no detail, the answer says so. Check the application page for any later notice.
What is the EPFL Summer in the Lab Internship?
It is an eight-week research internship in an EPFL laboratory for 2nd and 3rd year Bachelor students. Interns also join skills workshops and a September symposium.
How much is the scholarship?
Each selected student receives a total scholarship of CHF 4,000.
Who can apply?
Only 2nd or 3rd year EPFL Bachelor students with regular status and an average of at least 5.0 out of 6 after year one. Exchange students are excluded.
When is the deadline?
Applications for summer 2027 internships are open until 30 November 2026. The page does not state a time.
Where do interns work?
Placements are on site in EPFL laboratories in Lausanne or at associated campuses in Neuchâtel, Fribourg, Geneva and Sion.
How many students take part?
EPFL reports around 25 students each year.
Conclusion
The EPFL Summer in the Lab Internship gives early-stage Bachelor students a funded, supervised introduction to research. Its CHF 4,000 scholarship and eight-week structure suit students who want to test a research path.
Eligible EPFL students should prepare their documents early and apply before 30 November 2026. Read the official page again before you submit, because EPFL may update the process.
