EPFL Life Sciences Summer Research Program 2027: Excellent Research Opportunity

The EPFL Life Sciences Summer Research Program 2027 offers international students eight weeks of research experience in Switzerland. Hosted by EPFL’s School of Life Sciences, the program welcomes eligible bachelor’s and first-year master’s students interested in understanding how scientific research works inside an active laboratory.

Applications are open for the 2027 intake. The program runs from 5 July to 27 August 2027, with an application deadline of 15 November 2026. Participants receive financial support and work alongside researchers in life sciences and related disciplines.

This guide explains the funding, eligibility, required application materials and practical preparation steps. It also highlights conditions that applicants should understand before starting the online form.

EPFL Life Sciences Summer Research Program Details

The EPFL Life Sciences Summer Research Program is a temporary research experience rather than admission to a full degree. Students seeking master’s degree funding can read our separate guide to EPFL Excellence Fellowships 2027.

What Does the Summer Research Experience Include?

Participants join ongoing projects and receive supervision from faculty members and scientific staff. Alongside laboratory work, the program includes scientific seminars, development workshops and a closing symposium.

Students can use this experience to explore whether a research career suits their interests. For example, someone who enjoys classroom biology may discover that planning experiments, troubleshooting results and discussing evidence requires a different set of skills.

GSP guidance: Before applying, identify what you want to learn. A clear goal—such as gaining experience in experimental design or computational analysis—will help you choose laboratories and write more specific answers.

EPFL Life Sciences Summer Research Program Funding

EPFL provides a CHF 3,600 stipend for the two-month period. Accommodation is arranged beforehand, and its cost is deducted from this amount. EPFL estimates that approximately CHF 1,700 remains for living expenses after housing is paid.

Travel support is capped at:

• CHF 1,000 for overseas flights
• CHF 500 for shorter-distance travel

The program also provides additional support for participants assigned to Geneva laboratories to help with commuting.

Is Accommodation Separate from the Stipend?

No. Housing is paid from the stipend rather than provided as an additional cash benefit. Applicants should therefore avoid budgeting as if they will receive CHF 3,600 plus free accommodation.

EPFL states that travel reimbursement occurs after the program finishes. You may need money upfront for your journey, and personal tourism requires your own budget.

GSP guidance: Make a simple budget before accepting an offer. Separate essential costs from optional spending, and account for the timing of reimbursement.

Eligibility for the EPFL Life Sciences Summer Research Program

The official application page lists the following conditions:

• Enrollment in a relevant university program.
• At least two completed years of undergraduate study by the program’s start, with eligibility extending through the first year of a master’s degree.
• A GPA equivalent to 3.75/4.0 or higher, or placement in the top 5% of the class.
• A strong interest in a life sciences career.

Relevant fields include biology, biophysics, chemistry, bioengineering, bioinformatics, quantitative biology, genetics and medicine.

The requirement concerns two years of undergraduate study—not two years of professional employment.

Applicants must remain enrolled throughout the placement and attend the complete program. PhD students are not eligible. Previous laboratory experience can help, but it is not compulsory.

GSP guidance: Check your study stage against the July 2027 start date. Your current year alone may not establish eligibility. If your university uses a different grading scale, explain it accurately rather than inventing a GPA conversion.

Students exploring a longer research placement can also compare our USTC Research Internship Program 2027 guide, which has separate eligibility and funding arrangements.

Required Documents and Application Materials

Prepare these materials before opening the application:

• Bachelor’s academic transcript or the accepted record of courses and grades.
• Master’s academic information, where applicable.
• Short personal and scientific essay answers.
• Laboratory preferences and explanations.
• Contact information for one academic referee.
• One recommendation letter, submitted directly by the referee.

EPFL’s updated process uses short responses instead of requesting a formal CV and motivation letter. The questions cover your achievements, experience, strengths, motivation and scientific interests. Applicants are also asked about their use of AI when preparing the application.

Prepare Your Recommendation Early

Choose a referee who can discuss your academic ability, research potential and teamwork with specific examples.

GSP guidance: Ask for their agreement before entering their details. Send them a brief summary of the program, your relevant coursework and your research interests. Give them enough time to prepare a thoughtful recommendation.

Choosing a Suitable Research Laboratory

Laboratory selection deserves as much attention as your academic documents. The EPFL Life Sciences Summer Research Program asks applicants to explain their interest in the laboratories they choose.

Start with the official participating-laboratory list, then examine the research themes and recent publications of the groups that interest you.

A useful explanation connects:

1. A scientific question that interests you.
2. Relevant knowledge or experience you already have.
3. A technique or skill you hope to develop.

For example, stating that you want to learn a specific method and explaining its relevance to your studies is more informative than simply praising EPFL’s reputation.

GSP guidance: Keep your interests realistic. An undergraduate applicant can show curiosity and preparation without claiming advanced expertise. Do not cite a paper that you have not read or cannot explain.

Application Deadline

The deadline for the EPFL Life Sciences Summer Research Program 2027 is:

15 November 2026 at 23:59 CET.

Submit early enough for your referee to receive the upload invitation and complete the recommendation. The invitation is generated after you submit your application.

Check the official application page and FAQs for any changes before submitting.

How to Apply for the EPFL Life Sciences Summer Research Program

Step 1: Review the Official Instructions

Read the eligibility rules, program description and FAQs. Confirm your academic stage and availability for the full placement.

Step 2: Research Your Laboratory Choices

Review the participating groups and prepare specific explanations for your preferences.

Step 3: Draft Your Answers Offline

Write and proofread your short responses before entering them into the portal. Follow the character limits shown in the official instructions.

Step 4: Prepare Academic Records and Referee Details

Check that your documents are readable and your referee’s email address is correct.

Step 5: Complete the Online Form

EPFL warns that the application must be completed in one sitting. You cannot save it and return later.

Keep all materials ready before you begin.

Step 6: Submit and Monitor the Recommendation

After submission, your referee receives an invitation to upload the letter. Use the referee-management link to monitor its progress.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this the same as EPFL Excellence Fellowships?

No. Excellence Fellowships support master’s degree study. This opportunity is an eight-week research placement.

Can international students apply?

Yes. The program considers applicants worldwide who meet its academic and enrollment requirements.

Is IELTS required?

EPFL does not require proof of English proficiency when applying. Laboratory work and seminars are conducted in English.

Do I need previous laboratory experience?

No. Experience is helpful, but applicants without it can still apply.

Is the CHF 3,600 stipend paid in addition to free housing?

No. Accommodation costs are deducted from the stipend.

Can I attend for fewer than eight weeks?

No. Participants must attend the full period from 5 July to 27 August 2027.

Final Thoughts

The EPFL Life Sciences Summer Research Program offers a focused opportunity to explore research before making longer-term academic decisions. Its value lies in supervised laboratory experience and the chance to connect your studies with practical scientific work.

Prepare early, choose laboratories thoughtfully and support your answers with honest examples. A carefully targeted application will communicate your interests more clearly than a general statement about wanting to study abroad.

For another research opportunity to explore, read our OIST Internship 2027 guide and compare its requirements separately.