Full Program Details
The School of Life Sciences at EPFL, the Swiss federal technology institute in Lausanne, is accepting applications for its 2027 Summer Research Program. Each summer it places 20 to 25 international students in its labs for eight weeks of hands-on research with faculty and lab staff.
Each student gets CHF 3,600 for the two months, which pays for housing and living costs, plus a flight refund of up to CHF 1,000.
Details at a glance:
- Host: EPFL School of Life Sciences
- Level: Bachelor's students who have finished at least two years, up to first-year Master's students
- Places: 20 to 25 each summer
- Location: Lausanne, Switzerland, with some labs at Campus Biotech in Geneva
- Programme dates: 5 July to 27 August 2027
- Deadline: 15 November 2026
What It Covers
- A stipend of CHF 3,600 for the two months. Your housing is booked and paid from this amount before you arrive, which leaves about CHF 1,700 for living costs.
- A refund of up to CHF 1,000 for overseas flights, or CHF 500 for shorter trips, paid after the programme ends
- A single room in shared student housing near campus, usually with a shared kitchen and bathroom
- Mentoring by faculty and scientific staff, seminars and Friday afternoon workshops
- A closing symposium where every student presents a poster or talk
Students placed in Geneva labs get a larger stipend to cover the commute from Lausanne.
Who Can Apply
- International students in biology, biophysics, chemistry, bioengineering, bioinformatics, quantitative biology and related fields
- By the start of the programme, you must have finished at least two years of a Bachelor's degree and be no further than the first year of a Master's
- PhD students cannot apply
- The programme focuses on human-related life sciences. Applicants from veterinary or plant science backgrounds are not selected.
- You must stay for the full eight weeks
How to Apply
- Read the programme description, How to Apply page and FAQs on the EPFL website.
- Go through the list of participating labs and choose your top three.
- Complete the online application form on EPFL's recruiting portal.
- Submit before 15 November 2026.
What you need before you start
EPFL's How to Apply page sets a high bar and a strict process:
- Grades: a GPA of at least 3.75 out of 4.0, or a ranking in the top 5% of your class.
- Study stage: at least two years of undergraduate study completed before the programme starts, in a life sciences field.
- Documents: your university transcript or an official list of courses and grades (plus your Master's transcript if you have started one), short personal and scientific essays answered in the form, and one letter of recommendation.
- Your referee's details: have their name and email ready, because the letter is requested through the system.
Two practical warnings. The online form cannot be saved halfway, so write your essays in a document first and paste them in one sitting. And only complete applications are considered, so check every upload before you submit. EPFL emails every applicant a result about six weeks after the deadline.
Planning from Nigeria
If you are selected, start your Swiss visa application as soon as you receive the offer. The programme begins on 5 July, and summer is a busy season for Schengen visa appointments. The flight refund is paid after the programme ends, so you will need to buy the ticket yourself first.
Frequently asked questions
Is the EPFL Summer Research Program paid?
Yes. Students receive CHF 3,600 for the two months, from which housing is paid, plus a flight refund of up to CHF 1,000.
What GPA do I need?
At least 3.75 out of 4.0, or a top 5% ranking in your class.
Can Nigerian students apply?
Yes. The programme is open to international students worldwide who meet the study-stage and grade requirements.
When will I hear back?
EPFL emails every applicant a result about six weeks after the 15 November deadline, so expect news by late December.
Can PhD students apply?
No. It is for Bachelor's students with at least two years completed, up to first-year Master's students.
GizPulse Verdict
Who this is for: Strong biology, biochemistry and bioengineering undergraduates from Nigeria and across Africa who want real research experience at one of Europe's top science universities.
Who should pause: Competition is extreme. EPFL received more than 1,300 applications for 26 places in 2025. If your background is in agriculture, plant science or veterinary medicine, this programme is not a match.
One tip to stand out: Your lab choices matter. Popular labs get flooded, so read the lab pages and pick three where your past coursework or project fits the research, then explain that link clearly.
Read the full rules and apply on the official EPFL Summer Research Program page.
