Top 10 summer research programmes and internships for students
Ten funded summer research programmes and internships for students: OIST, UTokyo UTRIP, Amgen Scholars, DAAD RISE, Mitacs, KAUST, CERN, USTC, IAESTE and Google Summer of Code.
For undergraduates and master’s students, a summer in a real lab can do more for a future PhD application than a perfect transcript. It also answers the most important question early: do you actually enjoy research?
These ten research programmes and internships give students hands-on experience abroad, most with a stipend, travel or housing support. Every detail was checked on the official page.
The list at a glance
| # | Programme | Where | Next deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | OIST Research Internship Program | Japan | April 15, 2027 |
| 2 | University of Tokyo Research Internship Program (UTRIP) | Japan | Not announced yet |
| 3 | Amgen Scholars Program | Several countries | February 1, 2027 |
| 4 | DAAD RISE Germany | Germany | November 30, 2026 |
| 5 | Mitacs Globalink Research Internship | Canada | Not announced yet |
| 6 | KAUST Visiting Student Research Program | Saudi Arabia | Rolling |
| 7 | CERN Summer Student Programme | Switzerland | Not announced yet |
| 8 | USTC Fellowship for International Research Interns | China | Rolling |
| 9 | IAESTE Exchange Internships | Several countries | Rolling |
| 10 | Google Summer of Code | Online | Not announced yet |
1. OIST Research Internship Program
A 4 to 6 month research placement in an OIST lab in Okinawa. Interns receive 2,400 JPY per working day, one round trip air ticket, furnished housing paid by OIST or the host unit, and a shuttle bus pass.
- Who can apply: Open to students in the last two years of a bachelor’s degree or any year of a master’s degree at institutions in Japan or overseas, and to bachelor’s or master’s graduates. Current or former PhD students are not eligible, and enrolled students need approval from their home institution.
- Deadline: The Fall 2027 round closes 15 April 2027 at 23:59 JST, for internships between 1 October 2027 and 31 March 2028; the Spring 2027 round closed 15 October 2026. OIST says the schedule is tentative.
- Funding: Fully funded
2. University of Tokyo Research Internship Program (UTRIP)
A six week full time summer research internship in a School of Science lab at the University of Tokyo. The GSS-UTRIP Scholarship pays a one time allowance of 140,000 to 170,000 JPY depending on home region, plus free housing for the 43 night stay.
- Who can apply: Natural science undergraduates at a non-Japanese university who have completed at least one full year and will return to their bachelor’s programme afterwards. English test scores are needed unless English is the first language or the student has had 8 years of English-medium education.
- Deadline: The 2027 application period has not yet been announced. The 2026 round ran 25 November 2025 to 7 January 2026 at 17:00 JST.
- Funding: Partly funded
3. Amgen Scholars Program
A summer lab research program in science and biotechnology at leading universities in the US, Canada, Europe, Asia and Australia, ending with a regional symposium. Financial support varies by host institution; symposium travel and board are covered.
- Who can apply: Undergraduates apply to the region where they study, with a strong academic record and interest in a PhD. The US programme requires US citizenship or permanent residence and a 3.2 GPA; Europe and Asia have no citizenship rule.
- Deadline: For Summer 2027, the US, Europe and Asia programmes list a 1 February 2027 deadline, and applications open on 1 November. The Australia round is closed; check the Canada page for its dates.
- Funding: Funding: see the official page
4. DAAD RISE Germany
A three-month summer research placement with a doctoral researcher at a German university or institute, supported by a monthly DAAD stipend.
- Who can apply: Undergraduates in biology, chemistry, physics, earth sciences or engineering studying at universities in North America, the UK or Ireland; German is not required.
- Deadline: Applications open 15 October to 30 November 2026 (11:59 pm CET); reference letters due by 15 December 2026.
- Funding: Paid
5. Mitacs Globalink Research Internship
A 12-week summer research internship under a Canadian university professor, with support toward airfare, housing, food and health insurance.
- Who can apply: Undergraduates from Mitacs partner countries (23 listed, including India, Brazil, Mexico, Ukraine, Tunisia and others); detailed rules vary by country.
- Deadline: Next deadline not announced yet. The Summer 2027 student call has closed; the official timeline shows student applications usually open around June.
- Funding: Fully funded
6. KAUST Visiting Student Research Program
A 2 to 6 month STEM research internship with KAUST faculty, including a USD 1,000 monthly stipend, housing and return airfare.
- Who can apply: Third-year-plus undergraduates and master’s students with a GPA of at least 3.5/4 and proof of English; PhD candidates are not eligible.
- Deadline: Rolling applications. Applications are accepted all year round; start and end dates are flexible.
- Funding: Fully funded
7. CERN Summer Student Programme
Students spend 8 to 13 weeks on a physics, engineering or computing project at CERN, alongside lectures, workshops and lab visits, with a daily allowance of 94 CHF.
- Who can apply: Bachelor’s or master’s students (not PhD) in physics, engineering, computer science or maths with at least six semesters of full-time study and good English.
- Deadline: Next deadline not announced yet. The official page gives no date and tells applicants to check the application portal; no positions were open when checked.
- Funding: Paid
8. USTC Fellowship for International Research Interns
Research stays of 3 months to 1 year; Level A covers tuition, medical insurance, a free dormitory and a stipend, Level B tuition, insurance and dormitory, Level C tuition only.
- Who can apply: Non-Chinese citizens aged 18 to 40, enrolled full time as Year 3 or 4 undergraduates or as master’s or PhD students, with good English.
- Deadline: Level A fellowships: apply 1 January to 31 March for fall and 1 July to 30 September for spring; Level B, C or self-funded: apply at least three months before starting.
- Funding: Partly funded
9. IAESTE Exchange Internships
A global exchange network offering paid technical internships abroad, mainly in STEM, plus remote internships for those who cannot travel.
- Who can apply: Students apply through their home country’s IAESTE committee, which sets its own requirements.
- Deadline: Rolling applications. Each internship listing has its own date (for example, listings closing 24 to 27 November 2026 and March to May 2027); apply via your national IAESTE committee.
- Funding: Paid
10. Google Summer of Code
A remote program where newcomers write code for an open source organization over 8 to 22 weeks with mentors. Stipends range from USD 750 to USD 6,600 depending on project size and country, paid after passing evaluations.
- Who can apply: People aged 18 or over who are students or open source beginners and are eligible to work in their country. Residents of U.S. embargoed countries, Russia, Belarus and the DNR/LNR regions cannot take part.
- Deadline: The 2026 contributor applications ran from 16 March to 31 March 2026. The 2027 timeline has not been published yet.
- Funding: Paid
How we ranked them
This is an editorial selection, not a formula. We looked at how much each award pays (full funding ranks above fee reductions), how open it is to international applicants, and whether the official page is clear and current. Every detail was checked on the official page on October 30, 2026. No university or funder paid to be included.
For conferences with leading scientists, see the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting and the Heidelberg Laureate Forum.
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply for summer research programmes?
Most are for undergraduates and some master’s students; CERN and KAUST, for example, exclude PhD candidates. Each listing gives the exact rules.
When should I apply?
Many close between November and April for the following summer. DAAD RISE closes on November 30, 2026, so start early.
Before you apply
Read how to write a scholarship motivation letter, check which English test you need in IELTS vs TOEFL vs Duolingo, and see every upcoming date in the scholarship deadline calendar.