Late January (typically between January 20th and January 31st annually)
Level
Bachelor or Master Students
Acceptance
Approximately 2-3%
Difficulty
Extremely High
Quick Summary
CERN openlab Summer Student Programme is a fully funded scholarship offered by CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research) for students pursuing studies in Switzerland. The award covers Daily allowance of 92 CHF, travel reimbursement, health insurance, and participation in high-level IT projects and specialized lectures. and is open to bachelor or master students students studying computer science, information technology, mathematics, physics, and engineering. The scholarship runs for 9 weeks. Eligibility is generally based on must be enrolled in a university at the time of application and remain enrolled during the internship. Must be specialized in an IT-related field. The application deadline is Late January (typically between January 20th and January 31st annually), with an acceptance rate of approximately Approximately 2-3%. EduAtlasHub tracks updated deadlines, coverage details and eligibility requirements for this scholarship as they change.
✨ Should I Apply for CERN openlab Summer Student Programme?
Instant AI-powered application intelligence
75%
Eligibility Match
5%
Win Probability
7/10
Difficulty
10/10
Reward Score
30-45 hrs
Time Required
Very Low
Competition
🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
92 CHF per day
⏳
Duration
9 weeks
📅
Deadline
Late January (typically between January 20th and January 31st annually)
🔬
Fields
Computer Science, Information Technology, Mathematics, Physics, and Engineering
🏆
Awards/Year
Approximately 30 to 40 awards
🌏
Study Country
Switzerland
🏛️
Provider
CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research)
📊
Acceptance
Approximately 2-3%
The CERN openlab Summer Student Programme is a 9-week intensive internship for students pursuing Bachelor or Master degrees in computer science or related fields. Selected students work on advanced IT projects in areas like cloud computing, data analytics, AI, and quantum computing, while attending lectures and visiting the world's largest particle physics laboratory.
👥 Who Should Apply
Must be enrolled in a university at the time of application and remain enrolled during the internship. Must be specialized in an IT-related field.
🏛️ Host University
CERN (Research Institute)
🤝 Sponsor
CERN openlab (Partners include Intel, Oracle, Siemens, Micron, etc.)
🔬 Fields of Study
Computer Science, Information Technology, Mathematics, Physics, and Engineering
✨ Key Benefits
Daily allowance of 92 CHF, travel reimbursement, health insurance, and participation in high-level IT projects and specialized lectures.
92 CHF per day (net of tax) for the duration of the 9-week stay
Total Award
92 CHF per day
✈️ Travel: Lump sum travel allowance provided (varies by distance from CERN)🏠 Accommodation: Assisted (Stipend is intended to cover the cost of CERN hostel or local housing)💊 Health Insurance: Comprehensive health insurance provided by CERN (CHIS)🔄 Renewable: No💳 App Fee: Free
🎓 Tuition Coverage
N/A (Non-degree program)
🏠 Living Stipend
92 CHF per day (net of tax) for the duration of the 9-week stay
🏡 Accommodation
Assisted (Stipend is intended to cover the cost of CERN hostel or local housing)
✈️ Travel Allowance
Lump sum travel allowance provided (varies by distance from CERN)
💊 Health Insurance
Comprehensive health insurance provided by CERN (CHIS)
🎁 Other Benefits
Lecture series by IT experts, visits to CERN accelerators and data centers, social events, and a certificate of completion
🔄 Renewable
No
📋 Renewal Conditions
Not applicable as it is a one-time summer program
✅ Eligibility Requirements
🌍 Eligible Nationalities
Bachelor or Master students who have completed at least 3 years of full-time studies by the start of the program
🎓 Academic Level
Bachelor or Master Students
📊 Minimum GPA
High academic standing (Varies by home university standards)
🗣️ English Requirement
Good knowledge of English is required (C1 level recommended; no certificate usually mandated)
🍢 Age Limit
18 years and older
💼 Work Experience
Not required, but technical projects and coding experience are highly valued
🏆 Leadership
Not required
💰 Financial Need
Not a selection criterion
🎯 Target Students
International students (Global eligibility)
📝 Application Requirements
Essay / SOP
Yes (Motivation Letter required)
Rec Letters
Yes (Two academic recommendation letters)
Interview
Sometimes (Project supervisors may conduct informal technical interviews via phone or video)
Good knowledge of English is required (C1 level recommended; no certificate usually mandated)
Interview: Sometimes (Project supervisors may conduct informal technical interviews via phone or video)
Min GPA: High academic standing (Varies by home university standards)
📋 Application Process
Tailor your CV to highlight specific IT skills like C++, Python, AI/ML, and cloud computing. Ensure your motivation letter explains why you want to work at CERN specifically.
💡 Insider Tip: Include a link to your GitHub profile or portfolio. Ensure your recommendation letters are uploaded before the deadline as the system may close automatically.
🗾️ Application Roadmap
1
Research eligibility and gather requirements
Start Early
2
Collect all required documents
Start Early
3
Request recommendation letters early
4
Write compelling essays and personal statement
⚠ High Risk Stage
5
Submit complete application before deadline
6
Await shortlisting and attend interview if required
⚠ High Risk Stage
📅 Key Dates & Timeline
📅 Opens
November or December
⏰ Deadline
Late January (typically between January 20th and January 31st annually)
🎤 Interview
Sometimes (Project supervisors may conduct informal technical interviews via phone or video)
🎓 Study Starts
June or July
November or December
Applications Open
Gather documents and begin essays
Late January (typically between January 20th and January 31st annually)
Application Deadline
Submit complete application - no late entries
Sometimes (Project supervisors may conduct informal technical interviews via phone or video)
Shortlisting and Interview
Selected candidates invited for interview
After results
Award Announced
Successful applicants notified
June or July
Studies Begin
Commence degree at host institution
⚖️ Selection Process
📋 Selection Criteria
Technical competence, academic excellence, motivation, and the match between the student's skills and available projects.
Must be enrolled in a university at the time of application and remain enrolled during the internship. Must be specialized in an IT-related field.
This scholarship covers: Daily allowance of 92 CHF, travel reimbursement, health insurance, and participation in high-level IT projects and specialized lectures.. It is a fully funded scholarship.
The deadline is Late January (typically between January 20th and January 31st annually). Always verify with the official website as dates may change annually.
Competition level: Very Low. Acceptance rate: Approximately 2-3%. Strong academic record and clear motivation are essential.
No
Typically required: academic transcripts, passport, Good knowledge of English is required (C1 level recommended; no certificate usually mandated), Yes (Two academic recommendation letters) recommendation letters, CV, personal statement/motivation letter. Check official website for the complete list.