ETH Zurich Summer Internship Programs: A Comprehensive Guide
ETH Zurich, a world-renowned university for technology and the natural sciences located in Zurich, Switzerland, offers several summer internship programs for students worldwide. These programs provide exceptional opportunities for undergraduate and master’s students to participate in intensive research experiences at one of Europe’s top-ranked universities. With a focus on STEM fields, these internships aim to provide talented students with hands-on exposure to research, expert faculty mentorship, and a rich academic culture rooted in scientific excellence.
Overview of ETH Zurich
ETH Zurich is consistently ranked among the world’s best universities and is well known for its research and teaching quality. With many thousands of students from more than hundreds of countries, ETH Zurich is one of the leading international universities. It offers various degree programs in science and engineering, as well as humanities and social sciences.
ETH Student Summer Research Fellowship
The ETH Student Summer Research Fellowship 2026 offers an exceptional opportunity for undergraduate and master’s students worldwide to participate in an intensive research experience at ETH Zurich. This prestigious fellowship is designed to provide talented students with hands-on exposure to research in computer science, mathematics, engineering, natural sciences, and related fields, helping them gain real-world research training in a globally recognized environment.
Program Highlights
- Research Focus: Computer science, mathematics, engineering, natural sciences, and related fields.
- Duration: Two months, typically from July to August.
- Eligibility: Open to undergraduate and graduate students worldwide, except those enrolled at ETH Zurich.
- Financial Support: A stipend of CHF 4,000 for two months to cover housing and living expenses. Travel and visa costs are reimbursed. Accommodation is arranged in student housing with single rooms and shared facilities.
Research Opportunities
Research opportunities are available in areas such as:
- Machine learning
- Information security
- Robotics
- Computer systems
- Programming languages
- Bio and medical informatics
- Human-computer interaction
- Theory
- Visual computing
Program Experience and Networking
Fellows will work in leading ETH Zurich research labs under world-class faculty. The program also includes social and networking events, offering students an opportunity to explore Zurich and other parts of Switzerland during the summer. The ETH Student Summer Research Fellowship brings together innovative minds from across the world, giving them access to world-class research labs, expert faculty mentorship, and a rich academic culture rooted in scientific excellence.
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Application Process and Deadlines
Applications must be submitted online with a CV, academic transcripts, and a statement of purpose. Deadlines for the ETH Student Summer Research Fellowship typically fall between November and December. For the 2026 fellowship, the application window is from November 1 to December 16, 2025, until 13:00 CET.
Summer Internship Programme
ETH Zurich also offers a Summer Internship Programme open to Bachelor's and Master's students in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, and related disciplines. Third-year and final-year undergraduate students, along with Master's students, are eligible to apply.
Program Details
- Duration: Two months, ideally starting from June 15, 2026, with a standard 40-hour work week.
- Eligibility: Bachelor's and Master's students in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, and related disciplines. Third-year and final-year undergraduate students, along with Master's students, are eligible to apply.
- Financial Support: Selected interns will receive a tax-free daily allowance of CHF 93 (approximately Rs 10,600). ETH Zurich will provide health insurance coverage, travel support to Switzerland, accommodation assistance, and access to specialised IT and physics lectures.
Stipend, Allowance, and Benefits
Selected interns will receive a tax-free daily allowance of CHF 93 (approximately Rs 10,600). In addition, ETH Zurich will provide health insurance coverage, travel support to Switzerland, accommodation assistance, and access to specialised IT and physics lectures. Students are supported not just academically but financially, allowing them to focus entirely on research and learning.
Application process
Applications must be submitted online with a CV, academic transcripts and a statement of purpose. Deadlines for ETH Zurich summer programmes typically fall between December and January 26.
Why Choose ETH Zurich Summer Programs?
Choosing the ETH Student Summer Research Fellowship means choosing an environment known for academic depth, interdisciplinary innovation, and high-impact scientific discoveries. The fellowship is structured to encourage creativity, collaboration, and leadership - essential qualities for those aiming to excel in research-driven careers. With a fully funded package covering travel, accommodation, and living expenses, ETH Zurich ensures that selected fellows can focus entirely on their research without financial barriers.
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Academic and Research Excellence
ETH Zürich is one of the world’s top-ranked universities, offering cutting-edge research facilities and a top-notch educational experience. The ETH Zurich Summer Internship Program is a great opportunity for students who want to gain research experience at one of the world’s leading universities. Not only will students have the chance to work on an intensive research project, but they will also have the opportunity to network with faculty and students from around the world and explore Zurich and Switzerland. Participating in the ETH Zurich Internship Program is a great way to gain important research experience, and also meet other students and scholars from around the world.
Financial Support and Global Accessibility
The programs are fully funded, covering tuition fees, travel expenses, costs, accommodation, and health insurance. A living stipend ensures that candidates focus entirely on their studies and research. Students from all around the world, regardless of their location, can apply for the ETH Zurich Summer Research Internship. International participants receive reimbursement for their visa application expenses, and travel expenditures are reimbursed at the beginning of the program.
Cultural and Personal Growth
Interns will have the opportunity to network with ETH Zurich faculty and students and explore Zurich and Switzerland. The programme also includes social and networking events, offering students an opportunity to explore Zurich and other parts of Switzerland during the summer.
Application Process: A Step-by-Step Guide
The application process for ETH Zurich summer internships is rigorous but straightforward. Interested students must submit an online application form with their CV, a research statement, their academic transcripts, and two reference letters from academic sources.
Steps to Apply
- Register with SiROP: First, you need to register with SiROP (press CTRL+click to open in new window).
- Affiliate with Your Institution: After your registration, SiROP offers you to affiliate with your own institution.
- Apply Online: Click the “Apply Now” button at the top of the linked SiROP opportunity.
- Complete the Application Form: Make an online account and carefully enter all necessary personal and academic data.
- Upload Required Documents: Upload all the Required Documents in PDF Format.
Required Documents
- CV
- Academic transcripts
- A statement of purpose/letter of motivation (max 1 page)
- Two reference letters from academic sources
Selection Process
Once the applications have been received, ETH Zurich faculty members will select the finalists to send an invitation for a formal selection interview and a final evaluation by a panel of faculty and staff.
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Visa and Entry Regulations
ETH Zurich advises international applicants to carefully check Swiss entry regulations. The ETH Student Exchange office will help fellows with the process. It is the applicant's responsibility to acquire the necessary visa.
Additional Opportunities: INSAIT Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)
The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program offers the opportunity to highly motivated undergraduate students from around the world to engage in research activities in the summer under the mentorship of faculty at INSAIT. The program is modeled after the top successful summer research programs at MIT, Caltech, and ETH Zurich.
Program Highlights
- Duration: 8-12 weeks.
- Eligibility: Undergraduate students enrolled in a Bachelor degree program at any accredited university. The students should be enrolled in a STEM major, such as computer science, mathematics, physics, or engineering. Applicants should also have a minimum GPA of 3.5 (out of 4.0) or the equivalent in the corresponding grading system.
- Financial Support: All selected students will receive a monthly stipend of 1500 EUR to cover their living expenses. INSAIT will arrange the accommodation for the students and cover the cost in addition to the stipend. Travel expenses are also covered, and assistance is provided for visa applications for the selected candidates.
Application Timeline (2026)
- Open application window: Feb 04 - Mar 08, 2026 (23:59 EET)
- Reviewing applications: Mar 09 - Mar 20, 2026
- Shortlisted candidates are invited for a brief online interview: Mar 20, 2026
- Interviews with shortlisted candidates: Mar 23 - Mar 30, 2026
- Selected candidates are invited to the program: Mar 31, 2026
- Selected applicants need to confirm their participation in the program no later than: Mar 31 - Apr 10, 2026
- Selected summer students reach out to their mentors to discuss projects and define a project scope/plan: Apr 10 - Apr 30, 2026
- Approximate dates for the summer research projects (exact dates discussed with mentors).
Program Expectations
Applicants need to submit their application materials before the deadline via our online platform. Project plan discussed with their mentor and a final report which summarizes your work structured as a conference paper.
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