The EPFL Excellence Research Internship Program offers a unique chance for outstanding students from North America and Singapore to gain hands-on experience in cutting-edge research laboratories. The program accepts top 10% students at the Bachelor’s or Master’s level from selected partner universities. Internships last for three months, offering students a chance to enhance their academic and professional skills in one of the world’s leading research environments. Applications are open until November 30, 2024.
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1. Overview of the EPFL Excellence Research Internship Program
The EPFL Excellence Research Internship Program (ERIP) offers exceptional students from North America and Singapore the opportunity to undertake research internships at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland. The internships, lasting three months, are hosted by leading research laboratories across a variety of disciplines including engineering, computer science, life sciences, and more.
Internship Duration: 3 months (with the possibility for extension if it’s part of the student’s curriculum).
Deadline for Application: November 30, 2024
2. Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the EPFL Excellence Research Internship Program, students must:
- Be enrolled at one of the program’s partner universities from North America or Singapore.
- Be ranked in the top 10% of their class.
- Have completed at least the second year of a Bachelor’s degree program.
- Be a regular student at their home university throughout the internship.
- Be nominated by their home institution’s international office.
Note: Longer internships are possible only if part of the student’s curriculum, but the Excellence scholarship will cover up to three months only.
3. Partner Universities
The following universities are eligible to nominate students for the EPFL Excellence Research Internship Program:
Canada
- McGill University
- University of British Columbia
- University of Toronto
- University of Waterloo
Singapore
- Nanyang Technological University (NTU)
United States
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Johns Hopkins University
- University of California San Diego
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Students from McGill University and the University of Toronto can directly apply without nomination.
4. Application Process and Required Documents
To apply, follow these steps:
- Get Nominated: Students (except those from McGill and Toronto) must be nominated by their institution’s international office.
- Submit Documents: Once nominated, students must submit:
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
- Motivation letter (up to 800 words)
- Official transcripts
- Contact details of two references
- Scan of passport (PDF)
- Choice of three EPFL laboratories (explain why these labs match your profile and goals)
Motivation Letter:
This letter should detail:
- Your qualifications and research experience.
- Reasons for applying to EPFL.
- Why you are a good fit for the chosen laboratories.
- Your future academic and professional goals.
Important Dates:
- Application Deadline: November 30, 2024
- Reference Submission Deadline: December 10, 2024
- Results Announced: End of December 2024
5. Important Dates
- Application Deadline: November 30, 2024
- Reference Submission Deadline: December 10, 2024
- Acceptance Notification: By the end of December 2024
6. Contact Information
For further inquiries or assistance with the application process, please contact the EPFL Excellence Research Internship Program:
- Email: erip.internship@epfl.ch
- Address:
EPFL AVP-SAO
Centre Midi – CM2 348
Station 10, CH – 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
7. FAQs
How long is the internship?
The standard duration is three months. Extensions are possible if the internship is part of your academic curriculum, but the scholarship only covers three months.
Can students from non-partner universities apply?
No, the program is limited to students from partner universities in North America and Singapore. If your university is not listed, please contact EPFL to confirm eligibility.
What are the selection criteria for laboratories?
The selection is based on your fit with the lab’s research objectives, your academic performance, and your motivation letter. Preference is given to students who align with the lab’s needs.
What happens if my reference letters are late?
It is your responsibility to ensure that referees submit their letters before the deadline (December 10, 2024). Late submissions will not be considered.
Can I apply if I am a first-year student?
It is your responsibility to ensure that referees submit their letters before the deadline (December 10, 2024). Late submissions will not be considered.
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