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Interested in high impact research internship in a great international place? The opportunity is the EPFL Excellence Research Internship Program 2026 of EPFL (Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne) in Switzerland. The program is presented to the outstanding undergraduate or master degree learners as a chance to spend three months in one of the state-of-the-art laboratories of EPFL working on a practical research project. Some of the benefits that ERIP provides its participants are monthly stipend, access to high-quality infrastructure, culturally enriched environment, allowing their participants to build their research profile, connect internationally, and to help advance their future academic or career trajectory.
Key Highlights
| Feature | Details |
| Host Country | Switzerland |
| Organization | École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) |
| Duration | 3 Months |
| Coverage | CHF 1,600 per month |
| Eligibility | International Students (Bachelor’s and Master’s) |
| Deadline | 30 November 2025 |
Detailed Description
EPFL Excellence Research Internship Program 2026 is given to the most successful students of the partner universities of EPFL to experience the research at one of the best institutions in Europe. The participants will have the option to select a maximum of three EPFL labs that will support their academic interests – this may include engineering, computer science, physics, life sciences and mathematics.
The internship is performed with the guidance of experts, providing the intern with the practical experience with the latest technologies and the contribution to the development of the current research. The initiation date of the program is not fixed, but the time period is usually between February and August, and it is determined according to the chosen lab.
Even though it is a paid internship, internals will have to reimburse the money they spent on travelling and any other personal expenses not included in the stipend. The participants also have the access to the student benefits at EPFL including campus facilities, meals and transportation discounts.
Benefits
- Monthly Stipend: A good monthly allowance to pay the living expenses and accommodation (e.g., CHF 1,800 per month).
- Accommodation: Interns get a place of residence during the program.
- Travel Allowance: A large part of the travel expenses to and out of Switzerland is paid (reimbursement of a given amount, e.g., CHF 1,000 of overseas travelling).
- Visa Assistance: Advice and assistance in the visa application.
- World-Class Facilities: Full access to EPFL’s state-of-the-art laboratories and research infrastructure.
- Networking: There are already several possibilities to access the community of students, researchers and professors worldwide.
Eligibility Criteria
- Nationality: Open to students of all nationalities.
- Academic Level: You should already be in a Bachelor’s (at least 2nd year of study) or a Master’s degree program.
- Field of Study: Your major has to be related to research areas in EPFL, such as Engineering, Computer Science, Life Sciences, Basic Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics) and others.
- Academic Excellence: A strong academic record is essential, with applicants often in the top 10% of their class. A minimum GPA equivalent to 3.75/4.0 is often cited.
- English Proficiency: A high level of proficiency in English is required. However, an official test score like TOEFL or IELTS is generally not necessary.
Required Documents
- Curriculum Vitae (CV): A detailed resume (1-2 pages).
- Motivation Letter: This should be a convincing letter (no more than 750-1000 words) describing your academic background, research interests and why you want to join EPFL.
- Official Academic Transcripts: A complete record of your grades from your university.
- Letters of Recommendation: Typically one or two letters from professors or supervisors who can speak to your academic and research potential.
- Passport: A scanned copy of your valid passport.
Application Process
- Identify the Right Program: Go to the web pages of the EPFL internship programs and find out what program (e.g. E3 in the case of Engineering, SRP in the case of Life Sciences) is the best fit to your profile.
- Prepare Your Documents: Get ready all the documents needed in digital format.
- Complete the Online Form: Enter the personal information in the application form, your academic history and attach the needed documents.
- Select Host Labs (if applicable): Some programs require you to indicate your preference for up to three research laboratories.
- Submit Application: Submit your completed application before the deadline.
Deadline
The application deadline for the EPFL Excellence Research Internship Program 2026 is 30 November 2025 (24:00 CET).
Early preparation is highly recommended, as competition is intense.
How to Apply
To apply, visit the official website below:
FAQs
Q1: Is this a paid internship?
Yes, the internship provides a monthly stipend of CHF 1,600 to help cover living costs.
Q2: Who can apply?
Bachelor’s and Master’s students from EPFL partner universities who are academically outstanding.
Q3: What fields are available?
There are several disciplines which include engineering, life sciences, computer science, physics and mathematics which are offered as internships.
Q4: Can I apply without nomination?
The majority of the applicants are to be nominated by their home university, but not by several of the direct partner institutions.
Q5: Can the internship be extended beyond three months?
As a rule, it is restricted to three months. The extensions are not common and both EPFL and home institution have to be allowed.
Q6: When will applicants be notified?
Shortlisted candidates are typically notified during the months of December and the final offers are made soon afterwards.
