FAQs

Who is eligible?

The Summer Research Program (SRP) selects from students from the entire world who are currently in a degree program and have finished at least two years of a Bachelor’s level degree up to the first year of a Master’s level degree by the start of the program.

If you are outside of this time span, then you are not eligible.

What if I have finished my Bachelor’s degree and I am not yet in a Master’s program?

If you are actively applying for a Master’s program in a life sciences related subject and planning to pursue a life sciences related career, you are eligible up to one year after you finished your Bachelor.

The program dates do not match my university’s academic calendar. Could I come from May to July?

To be eligible, you must be on-site for the entire time between the program dates i.e., July and August. It is impossible to come a month early and leave a month early. We regret that our summer program dates do not correspond well with some country’s academic calendars.

My gpa is almost a 3.75/4.0. Will my application be evaluated? (gpa = grade point average), is calculated by adding all the numbered grades you’ve received and dividing them by the number of credits you’ve taken.

Yes, it will be evaluated. Please keep in mind that the SRP is very competitive and your chances of being selected are unfortunately low.

My background isn’t mainstream Life Sciences. Can I still apply?

Yes, students come with all kinds of related life science backgrounds, and at the same time you should have at least a few mainstream Life Science courses on your transcript as e.g., cell biology, biotechnology.

This a human based life science program. We do not usually select students whose background is animal science (veterinary) or plant science.

Do I need to have research experience already?

Most participants do already have lab experience, but some do not. It is not a requirement.

What are my chances of being selected?

The SRP is very competitive! In 2024, we received over 1100 applications for 21 places. Your chances of being selected also depends on how many candidates choose the same top three lab choices – Popular labs have more applications from which to choose.

When will I hear back?

All applicants will receive an email by mid- March with the result of their application.

English Requirements

No proof of level of English required. During the evaluation period, we may invite you for a zoom call to check.

Topics for the short personal and scientific essays that you need to prepare before you fill out the on-line application.

Short personal and scientific essays –

Personal essay questions: (replaced the CV and letter of motivation)

  • List your top 3 accomplishments/awards (1000 characters including spaces)
  • List internship programs in which you have participated (800 characters including spaces)
  • Relevant Professional Experience (800 characters including spaces)
  • Introduce yourself – What are the key strengths that you will bring to SRP? (800 characters including spaces)
  • What motivates you to pursue science? Be specific. (800 characters including spaces)
  • Tell us about yourself? What are your hobbies and interests? (800 characters including spaces)

Scientific essay questions about lab choices.  (replaced the Motivation Letter)
For each lab choice, you will be asked to write:

  • Explain what are the specific aspects of the research in the lab that you find interesting? (800 characters including spaces)
  • Which specific skills/techniques would you like to acquire from this lab? (800 characters including spaces)
  • Is there a particular project that you would like to pursue in the lab? Provide justifications and cite relevant papers. (800 characters including spaces)

Transcript

Does my transcript/grade sheets need to be translated into English?

We accept transcripts in English, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, and Italian.

If your transcript is in another language, please translate it into English. Include the original transcript in your upload.

Do I need to have an official translation?

You may translate your transcript(s) yourself and if possible, have a faculty member sign it to verify that it is a true translation. Include the original transcript in your upload.

My grades/gpa doesn’t really fit into the asked for format of XX/4.0, or XX/10. What should I do?

What do I do if my school has a completely different kind of grading scale?

Please fill-in the space provided on the application by using another short format (ie 12.3/15) or if that is impossible, simply say “Please see transcript” and add an explanation of your school’s grading system to your transcript.
Also, you can include an explanation of how difficult it is to achieve each grade.
If you are not sure if your gpa is ~ 3.75 and above, another way to judge is to see if you are in the top 5% of your class. If so, you are eligible to apply to SRP.

Do I need an official transcript?

Yes, if possible and if not too expensive.

If it isn’t possible or is too expensive, then unofficial transcripts or screen shots from your university student portal can replace the official transcript.

Transcripts and Master’s students: 

I am a Master’s student, should I include my bachelor’s transcript as well?
I am a first semester Master’s student, and will not receive my grades in time for the Jan 31st deadline.

Please make a single pdf of your bachelor’s transcript along with your master’s transcript to upload as your transcript. 
If you are in your first semester of your Master’s and will not receive your grades before the Jan 31st deadline, please make a list of the courses that you are taking presently and add it to your bachelor’s transcript to make one transcript to upload.

I haven’t received my last transcript. Or my country doesn’t supply official transcripts in time for the deadline. What should I do?

If you have an incomplete transcript or haven’t received a transcript, please make a list of your classes that you are currently taking and all the classes for which you are waiting for the grade.

If you are unable to supply an official or non-official transcript, please make a list of all of your classes and your grades that you have received.

Explain on the document why your complete transcript is unavailable at this time.

Reference Letter

Can I upload the recommendation to my application myself?

No, your referee needs to use the link that is automatically sent to them when you have filled in their contact details and submitted your application. When you submit, an invitation with an upload link is automatically sent to them.

Whom do I ask for a reference?

Ask someone who knows you well enough to assess your potential to do research, if possible a lab head and/or professor.

My referee didn’t receive a message asking them to upload my recommendation! What should I do?

Check the the email address that you used for your referee is still functional. Then contact the SRP administrator giving the confirmed address. We will see if the address used in your application was filled in correctly and then send another email to your referee. If it still doesn’t work, please supply another email address for your referee and we will also try that address.

Is the deadline, January 31st, 11:59 CET, also for the referee to upload their letter of recommendation?

If your referee cannot upload by January 31st, then they must upload by February 5th, 11:59 CET by the very latest. The evaluation will begin then.
Ask your referee if they will be able to supply a letter for you before you put their information into the on-line application.
Please note: Only when you submit your application, the automatic messages with a link are sent to your referees asking them to upload your letter of recommendation.

Will I receive a confirmation message when my professor uploads my letter of recommendation?

Yes, you can monitor your referee’s progress. When you submit your application, you  will receive a link to your “referee management” portal.  There you can check when your referee uploads your recommendation letter and send them reminders.

My referee is starting to prepare my reference letter in advance and would like to know what, in general, should be covered in the text.

Below is what we ask the referee to include in their text:

Please give us the following information in your letter: (~500 words total)

  • How many students are there in the candidate’s peer group at university and within this group, approximately at what position would you rank him/her (1 = first)?
  • How do you know the applicant?
  • Describe their:  Academic Excellence, Creativity, Aptitude for research, and Comments about fitting into an international program with group activities

No proof of English level required. We may ask you for a zoom call.  

How am I assigned to a lab?

When you apply to the SRP, we ask you to give us your top three choices from the participating lab list. We evaluate your application with the input from your top three labs. When we make our final selection, lab assignments are also finalized. 

Why are some of the labs located in Geneva?

EPFL has extended campuses and several labs are at the Campus Biotech in Geneva. You may need to travel back and forth often. It takes about 1 hour each way.  Your extra travel costs will be covered by the lab. Housing will be in Lausanne. To find out if your lab is in Geneva, please consult the lab website.

What is the dress code?

Everyday is very informal (jeans etc.) but you must wear clothing that covers your legs and closed shoes in the lab for protection. 

What is the working language?

Work, lab meeting and seminars are all in English. We however do not require proof of your English level at the time of the application.

Socializing can be often in French, or other languages.

What are the working hours?

Usually you work ~ 40 hours a week in lab related activities. Depending on the project, you may have to work some on the weekends e.g., cell culture.

Program Workshops and Activities

Do I have to participate in the workshops and activities?

Yes. Most workshops and activities will be on Fridays and you will be required to participate. Various subjects such as scientific integrity, lab visits, personal development etc. will be addressed in these activities. The goal is to help prepare you for a future scientific career.

Closing Symposium

What happens at the symposium?

You will be required to make a poster and attend the Closing Symposium that is held on the last day of the program. Besides the good food and drink, you will have the chance to explain your work to the Life Sciences scientific community and some of our program sponsors.

Housing

Do I have to find my own housing?

Your housing will be arranged for you and paid from your 3,600 CHF stipend before you arrive. Usually your housing is in Lausanne, a short metro ride from the EPFL campus.

Money

Do I need to bring extra money?

After the housing is paid for, you will have approximately 1,700 CHF left.

Students find that if they are careful e.g., eating picnic lunches and eating-in, it is possible to live on the money left over after your housing is paid. You will need to bring your own money for weekend travel and tourism.

The transportation costs (up to 1000CHF for overseas flights, and up to 500CHF for non-overseas) are reimbursed after the program is finished.

Visa

I come from a country that requires a visa to enter Switzerland. What do I do?

We will help you get a visa. The rules change frequently, so we will provide you with an invitation letter and directions as to what to do to help you navigate the process. It can take more than three months to obtain your visa. Do not start the process before you receive our instructions.

Asking for more Information

After reading all the website and the FAQs, what if I still have questions?

Please contact the coordinator with your questions, only if you have read all the information available on the website and the FAQs.

Remember! When you ask for information, it is not an SMS message, it is a professional communication and you want to make a good impression, therefore write in full sentences without slang or shortened forms of English words 

Example of an inquiry –

Dear Ms Goodman,

My name is XXXXXX and I am interested in applying to the SRP.

I have a question about XXXXXXX. (Give enough information to help explain your question.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Your name.

Are there other summer programs at EPFL?

Yes there are!  Students also have the possibility to apply to the following programs (distinct eligibility rules):