The CERN Summer Student Programme 2027 is a two-month, fully onsite internship in Geneva, Switzerland, with a tax-free subsistence allowance of CHF 94 per calendar day. It is open to Bachelor's and Master's students of all nationalities in Physics, Engineering, Computer Science or a related discipline, and applications close on 21 January 2027. Youth Works Hub reviewed the eligibility rules, benefits and required documents below so you can prepare a complete application.
The Internship at a Glance
🏛️ Organisation: CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research
📍 Location: Geneva, Switzerland, fully onsite
🗓️ Ideal start date: 14 June 2027
⏱️ Contract duration: 2 months
🕘 Weekly hours: 40
💶 Subsistence allowance: CHF 94 per calendar day, tax free
🌐 Open to: candidates of all nationalities
⏰ Application deadline: 21 January 2027 at 23:59, Geneva time
Inside CERN
At CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, the frontiers of science and technology are pushed every day. The work brings together not only physicists but also a diverse range of professionals from engineering, technical, scientific and administrative fields, in an environment where innovation and collaboration thrive.
Teams face new challenges and opportunities to contribute to cutting-edge research that shapes our understanding of the universe. CERN describes diversity as a core value since its foundation, central to its mission and continued success, with every contribution valued within its teams.
What Your Summer Will Look Like
You will spend your summer where science, technology and innovation meet. Summer students join a multicultural team, contribute to real projects and take part in a programme designed to expand their knowledge and curiosity, working alongside experts and students from around the world.
Your Responsibilities
🛠️ Contribute to a technical or scientific project within an experimental, engineering, IT or research team.
🎤 Learn from lectures delivered by world-leading scientists and specialists.
🏭 Take part in discussions, workshops and visits to CERN's unique facilities.
🤝 Share your learning and experience with peers from a wide range of backgrounds.
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🌍 All opportunities in Switzerland →
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The Student Profile CERN Is Looking For
🎓 You are currently pursuing a degree in Physics, Engineering, Computer Science or a related discipline.
🔎 You are curious, motivated and eager to learn through hands-on work.
🌐 You enjoy collaborating with others in an international environment.
💡 You are open to exploring new ideas and perspectives.
Skills You Should Bring
📘 Fundamental understanding of your field of study.
⚡ Enthusiasm, curiosity and a proactive approach to learning.
🗣️ Ability to communicate and work in a team.
🔄 Adaptability, openness and a collaborative mindset.
Eligibility Criteria
🎒 You are a Bachelor's or Master's student, not a PhD candidate.
📚 You have completed at least 6 semesters (3 academic years) of full-time university studies in the required field by the start of the summer.
🚫 You have not worked at CERN for more than 3 months under any other status.
🔁 You have not previously participated in the Summer Student Programme at CERN.
🇬🇧 You have a good knowledge of English.
🏫 You remain enrolled as a full-time student during your summer at CERN, between June and the end of September, depending on the contract duration.
Candidates of all nationalities are welcome to apply for this programme.
Extra Step for Candidates From Canada, Japan and the United States
If you are a national of Canada, Japan or the United States, you must also apply via your country's respective website. The addresses are listed in the Links section at the end of this page.
What CERN Provides
💶 Subsistence allowance: CHF 94 per calendar day, tax free.
🩺 Health insurance: coverage by CERN's comprehensive Health Insurance scheme, with the contribution already deducted from the allowance.
✈️ Travel: travel expenses to Geneva upon joining CERN, depending on your individual circumstances.
🧠 Lectures: an extensive physics lecture programme, and students can also attend a series of IT lectures organised by Openlab.
🏠 Accommodation support: assistance to find accommodation on the CERN site or nearby.
The few students who are paid directly from a national funding agency have to come to CERN with their own insurance coverage.
For a wider view of how funded placements work, read our guide to paid internships abroad for students and recent graduates.
How to Apply
Prepare the following documents, in English or French, to complete your application:
📄 Your CV
✉️ An academic reference letter, dated less than 12 months
🧾 An official academic transcript
🏷️ A certificate of enrolment covering the full internship period, between June and the end of September, depending on the contract duration
📎 Any document you consider relevant to your application
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the CERN Summer Student Programme pay?
Summer students receive a tax-free subsistence allowance of CHF 94 per calendar day. The contribution to CERN's Health Insurance scheme is already deducted from this allowance. Travel expenses to Geneva upon joining CERN are also provided, depending on individual circumstances.
Who can apply for the CERN Summer Student Programme 2027?
Bachelor's and Master's students of all nationalities in Physics, Engineering, Computer Science or a related discipline can apply. By the start of the summer, you must have completed at least 6 semesters of full-time university studies in the required field. PhD candidates are not eligible.
Can I apply if I have already worked at CERN?
You can apply only if you have not worked at CERN for more than 3 months under any other status. You also must not have previously participated in the Summer Student Programme at CERN.
When does the programme start and how long is it?
The ideal start date is 14 June 2027, and the contract lasts 2 months with 40 weekly hours. The position is fully onsite. You must remain enrolled as a full-time student during your summer at CERN.
Does CERN help with accommodation?
CERN provides assistance to find accommodation on the CERN site or nearby. The accommodation assistance is listed among the programme's benefits alongside the daily allowance, health insurance coverage and travel expenses to Geneva.
Which documents do I need?
You need a CV, an academic reference letter dated less than 12 months, an official academic transcript and a certificate of enrolment covering the full internship period. You can add any document you consider relevant, and all documents must be in English or French.
Do students from Canada, Japan or the United States apply differently?
Yes, nationals of these three countries must also apply via their respective national websites, in addition to applying to CERN. The links for each country appear at the end of this page.
Find more placements like this on Youth Works Hub's internship page.
Deadline
⏳ 21 January 2027
Links
Application: https://jobs.smartrecruiters.com/CERN/744000159603499-cern-summer-student-programme-2027-member-and-non-member-state-
CERN Careers: https://careers.cern/
Canada (additional application): https://particlephysics.ca/research-activities/undergrad-program-cern/?lang=en
United States of America (additional application): https://sites.google.com/a/umich.edu/um-cern-reu/
Japan (additional application): https://www2.kek.jp/kokusai/cernsummerschool/index.html
