Applications are invited from outstanding students from eligible partner universities for the EPFL Excellence Research Internship Program in Switzerland. The programme provides selected Bachelor’s and Master’s students with the opportunity to undertake research in cutting-edge laboratories at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL).
The Excellence Research Internship is designed for high-achieving students from EPFL’s eligible partner institutions in North America and Singapore. Selected interns normally spend three months working with leading researchers while receiving financial support toward their living expenses in Switzerland.
SUMMARY
- Company/Organisation(s): EPFL, Switzerland
- Program Type: Excellence Research Internship
- Program Location: Switzerland
- Internship Duration: Normally 3 Months
- Funding Amount: CHF 1,800 per Month
- Basic Qualifications: Bachelor’s or Master’s Students
- Eligible Institutions: Selected Partner Universities in North America & Singapore
EPFL Excellence Research Internship | Overview
The EPFL Excellence Research Internship Program (ERIP) offers outstanding students the opportunity to gain practical research experience in a stimulating international environment.
Interns undertake research in EPFL laboratories in fields such as engineering, basic sciences, health, environment and information technology while working alongside experienced researchers.
Internships are generally three months long. Longer internships may be accepted when they form part of an accredited project at the student’s home university, although the EPFL Excellence Scholarship is provided for a maximum of three months.
The internship should generally form part of the student’s curriculum.
Eligibility Criteria
The Excellence Research Internship Program is open to outstanding students, normally within the top 10%, at Bachelor’s or Master’s level.
Applicants must:
- Have completed at least the second year of their Bachelor’s degree by the time the internship begins.
- Be enrolled as a regular student at their home university throughout the internship.
- Be studying at an eligible EPFL partner institution in North America or Singapore.
- Be nominated by their home institution’s international exchange or study abroad office, subject to the exceptions specified by EPFL.
- Undertake an internship that generally forms part of their academic curriculum.
Students from McGill University and the University of Toronto are not required to have official nomination status at the initial application stage; nomination is confirmed after EPFL pre-selection.
Eligible Partner Universities
EPFL currently lists the following universities under the Excellence Research Internship partnership:
Canada
- McGill University
- University of British Columbia
- University of Toronto
- University of Waterloo
Singapore
- Nanyang Technological University (NTU Singapore)
United States
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Georgia Institute of Technology
- Johns Hopkins University
- University of California San Diego
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Students studying at another institution in North America or Singapore may contact EPFL to verify their eligibility, as the University indicates that discussions with additional institutions may be ongoing.
Internship Benefits
Successful applicants receive several forms of financial and institutional support, including:
- An Excellence Scholarship of CHF 1,800 per month, calculated according to the actual internship duration.
- Scholarship funding for a maximum of three months.
- Simplified visa and residence permit procedures.
- EPFL student status for the duration of the internship.
- Discounts on meals and activities at EPFL.
- Access to EPFL’s sports facilities.
- Opportunities to interact with international and local students.
- Support and activities organised by EPFL associations.
The CHF 1,800 monthly scholarship is intended as a living allowance to help cover accommodation and minimum living expenses. It is available only to selected interns undertaking their internship physically in Switzerland.
Interns receiving a ThinkSwiss Research Scholarship are not entitled to receive the EPFL Excellence Research Internship scholarship at the same time.
Also Check: EPFL Summer Fellowship/Internships in Switzerland 2027
How to Apply
Students interested in the EPFL Excellence Research Internship should normally obtain nomination from their home university before completing the EPFL application.
Applicants should:
- Contact the Study Abroad or International Office at their home university to express interest in the EPFL Excellence Research Internship Program and obtain the required nomination.
- Confirm that they meet the academic, enrolment and partner-university requirements.
- Review EPFL’s laboratories and research groups and identify three preferred laboratories relevant to their academic and research interests.
- Complete the official EPFL Excellence Research Internship online application after receiving the required nomination.
- Indicate the three preferred laboratories and the respective laboratory heads in the application.
- Submit all required information and supporting documents before the applicable deadline.
- Wait for the EPFL Central Admission Committee to review the completed application and shortlist candidates.
- Shortlisted applications are forwarded to relevant laboratories for final evaluation, and laboratories may conduct interviews before making their decisions.
Successful candidates receive formal confirmation of admission to the Excellence Research Internship Program from EPFL.
Other EPFL Internship Programs
Students who are not eligible for the Excellence Research Internship Program may consider other EPFL research opportunities with separate eligibility requirements, including:
- Computer and Communication Sciences: Summer@EPFL program
- Engineering: E3 Program
- Life Sciences: Summer Research Program
Applicants should review each programme separately because the eligibility requirements, funding and application procedures differ.
Application Timeline: Opens in October .
EPFL indicates that complete applications are reviewed in December, with shortlisted candidates normally informed by the end of December. Prospective applicants should monitor the official ERIP page for the next application deadline.
