Scholarship Overview
Program Overview
The SRP Summer Research Program is a competitive, fully funded research internship designed for talented students pursuing careers in life sciences. The program places selected participants in world-class laboratories across Switzerland and Europe, providing intensive research training in fields ranging from molecular biology to computational neuroscience.
For African students from Zimbabwe and the SADC region, this represents a rare opportunity to gain international laboratory experience without tuition costs, build global research networks, and strengthen applications for future graduate programs in Europe or North America.
People Also Checked: Mo Ibrahim Foundation Leadership Fellowship Programme 2027: Fully Funded Executive Fellowship for African Leaders (Fully Funded)
Eligibility Requirements
Candidates must meet all of the following criteria:
- Currently enrolled in a university program in biology, biophysics, chemistry, bio-engineering, bio-informatics, quantitative biology, genetics, medicine, or related life sciences
- Minimum GPA equivalent to 3.75/4.0 or ranking in top 5% of class
- Completed at least two years of undergraduate study, up to first year of master’s degree, before program start
- Demonstrated strong interest in life sciences research career
- Previous laboratory experience is advantageous but not mandatory
The program does not specify nationality restrictions, making it open to Zimbabwean and other African applicants who meet academic criteria.
People Also Checked: Global Leadership Challenge 2026: Fully Funded Trip to Switzerland (Fully Funded)
Participating Laboratories 2027
Successful applicants will join one of 28 specialized research groups, including:
- Altug Lab – BioNanoPhotonic Systems
- Antanasijevic Lab – Virology and Structural Immunology
- Barth Lab – Protein and Cell Engineering
- Bastings Lab – Programmable Biomaterials Laboratory
- Blokesch Lab – Molecular Microbiology
- Brisken Lab – Hormones: Keys to Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy
- Dal Peraro Lab – Biomolecular Modeling
- Gallini Lab – Empowerment of Healthy Cells to Prevent Skin Cancer
- Gönczy Lab – Cell and Developmental Biology
- Hummel Lab – Defitech Chair of Clinical Neuroengineering, Geneva
- Ijspeert Lab – Biorobotics
- Jeschek Lab – Synthetic and Applied Microbiology, Lonza Chair of Sustainable Biosynthesis
- Kim Lab – Molecular and Synthetic Neuroengineering
- Kozicka Lab – Proteostasis and Molecular Therapeutics
- Maerkl Lab – Biological Network Characterization
- Manley Lab – Experimental Biophysics
- Mathis Lab – Computational Neuroscience & AI, Geneva
- Maynard Lab – Regeneration and Neurogenomics
- McCabe Lab – Neural Genetics and Disease
- Nakatsuka Lab – Chemical Nanotechnology
- Navarro Lab – Neuroimmunology and Aging, Giorgi-Cavaglieri Chair in Immunology of the Aging Brain
- Paoli Lab – Microbiome Immunity and Ecology
- Persat Lab – Microbial Mechanics
- Priestley Lab – Neurobiology of Memory
- Radenovic Lab – Nanoscale Biology
- Ramdya Lab – Neuroengineering
- Sakar Lab – Microbiorobotic Systems
- Schrimpf Lab – NeuroAI
- Stellacci Lab – Supramolecular Nanomaterials and Interfaces Laboratory
- Tang Lab – Biomaterials for Immunoengineering
- Thomä Lab – Paternot Chair in Cancer Research
- Van de Ville Lab – Medical Image Processing, Geneva
- van der Goot Lab – Cell and Membrane Biology
- Westmann Lab – Systems and Synthetic Evolutionary Biology
Application Process
Applications must be submitted exclusively through the online portal. No paper or email submissions are accepted.
People Also Checked: CGAD Global Forum Scholarship 2026: Complete Guide & How to Apply (Fully Funded)
Critical Application Warning
The online application cannot be saved and resumed. You must complete the entire application in one session. Prepare all materials before starting.
Required Documents
- Completed online application form with personal and scientific essay questions
- Official university transcript(s) – bachelor’s and master’s if applicable
- One letter of recommendation with referee contact details
Selection Criteria
Applications are evaluated on:
- Academic performance (GPA and class ranking)
- Quality of personal and scientific essays
- Basic life sciences understanding
- Previous laboratory experience (preferred but not required)
Only complete applications with all materials will be considered.
Timeline and Notifications
- Application deadline: November 15, 2026 at 23:59 CET
- Notification: All applicants receive results approximately six weeks after deadline
- Program dates: Summer 2027 (exact dates not specified)
Tips for African Applicants
Zimbabwean and SADC region students should note:
- Ensure your GPA is converted accurately to the 4.0 scale; obtain official conversion documentation from your registrar if needed
- Secure your recommendation letter early from a professor who knows your research capabilities
- Research participating labs thoroughly before applying to articulate specific scientific interests
- Prepare essay answers offline to paste into the non-saveable application form
- Consider time zone differences when planning your submission before the CET deadline
Funding Details
The program provides comprehensive support including accommodation, living stipend, and research materials. Specific award amounts are not published in available materials.
Official scholarship page: https://www.epfl.ch/schools/sv/education/summer-research-program/how-to-apply/