Swiss Summer Student Program in Particle Physics 2026 in Switzerland
Country: Switzerland
Organization: ETH Zurich, the University of Zurich, EPFL and the University of Bern
Program Name: Swiss Summer Student Program in Particle Physics
Category: Summer Student Program
Deadline: 28 March 2026
Duration: 13 July to 13 September 2026
The Swiss Summer Student Program in Particle Physics 2026 is a nine-week international program in Switzerland. It is organized by the particle physics groups of ETH Zurich, the University of Zurich, EPFL and the University of Bern, with support from the Swiss Institute of Particle Physics and the Swiss Academy of Sciences. The program runs from 13 July to 13 September 2026.
Program Focus
According to the official description, the program allows students to work on detector development or to perform data analysis in particle physics. The listed research areas include exotic atoms, neutrino physics, flavour physics, high-energy physics, dark matter searches, and astroparticle physics. The source also states that selected students may contribute to detector upgrades and/or data analysis using machine learning techniques.
Host Institutions
Students are accepted into research groups at ETH Zurich, the University of Zurich, EPFL and the University of Bern. The official application page also states that students will spend nine weeks at ETH Zurich, the University of Zurich, PSI, the University of Bern, possibly FERMILAB, EPFL, and the University of Geneva.
Eligibility
The program is aimed at international BSc and MSc degree students in Physics and Applied Physics. PhD students cannot apply. Engineering students are also eligible if they have a background and interest in particle physics. Undergraduate applicants must be at least in their third year at the time of application. Applicants must also be registered as a student at a university for the duration of the program, and a certificate confirming student status will be required.
Selection
Admission is open to international students on a highly competitive basis. Participants are selected based on academic achievement, average exam scores, graduation score where applicable, and suitability for the program as shown in a personal statement. The official site also encourages applications from underrepresented groups and states that successful candidates are expected to respect and value individual differences.
Score Requirements
For bachelor’s degree students, the average exam score should be ranked in the top 10–15%, and the applicant must be at least in the third year at the time of application. For master’s degree students, the average exam score should be ranked in the top 10%.
Program Requirements
Each student is guided by a supervisor responsible for the training program. During the program, participants are required to prepare a final report and some presentations in English. At the end of the program, all students meet to present their work. Some flexibility may be considered depending on project needs.
Financial Support
Some merit-based scholarships are available, supported by the Swiss Institute of Particle Physics and the Swiss Academy of Sciences. The official information states that funding sufficient to cover living expenses, including accommodation, food and other items, will be provided.
Participant Costs
The listed costs for successful students are health insurance, if needed, visa expenses, if needed, and travel expenses.
Application Materials
Applications must include a cover letter explaining why the student seeks admission to the program, a curriculum vitae, the application form and academic transcripts combined into a single PDF file, previous research projects if available, and two reference letters in English from professors or scientists at national or international laboratories. If previous research projects are not in English, applicants should submit a two- to three-page summary in English explaining their main contributions. The reference letters must be submitted online by the referees before the deadline.
Application Timeline
The deadline is 28 March 2026. Candidates will be notified of acceptance by the end of April 2026.
