CERN is accepting applications for its Summer Student Programme in Geneva, Switzerland. It gives bachelor’s and master’s students in physics, engineering, computer science and maths the chance to spend 8 to 13 weeks working inside real research teams at CERN.
You do not just watch from the side. You join a team, work on a real scientific or technical project, and present a short report on your work at the end of your stay.
The key facts at a glance
| Programme | CERN Summer Student Programme |
| Location | Geneva, Switzerland |
| Length | 8 to 13 weeks |
| Who it is for | Bachelor’s and master’s students in physics, engineering, computer science or maths |
| Allowance | 94 CHF per calendar day (net) |
| Application deadline | End of January — check the exact date on CERN Careers |
| How to apply | Online through CERN Careers |
The allowance is paid for every calendar day of your stay, not only for working days. CERN’s health insurance covers you during the programme, and the insurance contribution is already taken from the allowance. Travel costs to and from Geneva may be covered, depending on your own situation, and CERN helps you find a place to live on the site or nearby.
Are you the right person for this programme?
Check the points below honestly before you apply:
- You are studying for a bachelor’s or master’s degree (not a PhD) in physics, engineering, computer science or maths.
- You will have finished at least 6 semesters of full-time study in one of these subjects by the time the summer starts.
- You will still be enrolled as a full-time student for the whole summer.
- You have not worked at CERN for more than 3 months in any other role, and you have never taken part in this Summer Student Programme before.
- You can work well in English.
If you are a PhD student, this programme is not for you. The same is true if you have already been a CERN summer student, or if you will finish your degree before the summer and will no longer be a student. Students from Canada, Japan and the United States do not apply through the normal CERN Careers form, so check the programme page before you start.
What your summer at CERN actually looks like
Your main work is the project you do with your research team. You spend most of your weeks on that project, learning the tools and methods the team uses every day. At the end you write a short report on what you did.
The lectures are a big part of the programme too. CERN runs a series of physics lectures made specially for summer students, and you can also attend IT lectures. Visits to the accelerators and experimental areas, discussion sessions, workshops and a poster session are also part of the programme.
What the money really means
The programme pays a net allowance of 94 CHF for each calendar day. That is the figure CERN states on its careers page for this programme. Because it is paid per calendar day, you also receive it on weekends and rest days during your stay.
Health insurance is included, and its cost is already taken out of the allowance, so you do not pay it on top. Travel help depends on your own situation, so do not assume your flights are covered. The same applies to housing: CERN helps you find a place to stay on the site or nearby, but the official page does not say that housing is free.
Geneva is known as a costly city, so plan before you go. Work out your likely costs for food, local travel and daily life, and keep some savings aside for the first days.
How to apply
- Prepare your CV in English or French.
- Ask a teacher or professor for an academic reference letter.
- Get your enrolment certificate from your university.
- Get your official transcripts, which are your full record of courses and grades.
- Fill in the online application on CERN Careers and upload all your documents before the deadline at the end of January.
Send your application in good time. The official page says applications should reach CERN no later than the end of January, and it tells you to check the exact date for the current year on the CERN Careers website.
How to make your application strong
CERN reads many applications, so your documents need to show clearly why you fit. Your CV should list your courses, projects and any practical work in simple, clear lines. If you have done a lab project, a coding project or a piece of research, say what you did and what you learned from it.
What happens after you apply
CERN reviews every application after the deadline. If your application stands out, you may be invited to an online interview with the hiring manager.
If you are successful, you will receive an offer. Once you accept, your onboarding begins and CERN will guide you through the next steps before the summer starts.
Related opportunities: Caltech Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF), HZDR Summer Student Program Dresden, MIT Summer Research Program.
Questions applicants ask
Who can apply for the CERN Summer Student Programme?
Bachelor’s and master’s students in physics, engineering, computer science or maths who have completed at least 6 semesters of full-time study and will still be full-time students during the summer.
How long does the programme last?
Between 8 and 13 weeks.
Is the programme paid?
Yes. CERN pays a net allowance of 94 CHF per calendar day, and health insurance coverage is included.
When is the application deadline?
Applications should reach CERN no later than the end of January. Check the exact date for the current year on the CERN Careers website.
Can students from any country apply?
Yes, all nationals are welcome to apply. Students from Canada, Japan and the United States should apply through their own national routes.
Do I need to know French?
No. The official page asks for a good knowledge of English only.
