Top Summer Research & Student Programmes 2026 (CERN, DESY, DAAD RISE, HKU, Purdue SURF, WHOI, UTokyo UTRIP, HZDR)

Looking for a strong way to level up your CV this summer? If you’re a Bachelor’s or Master’s student aiming for top scholarships, graduate school, or a research career, a reputable summer programme can be the fastest way to stand out.

In this guide, I’ve curated some of the best summer student and research programmes for 2026 — including CERN (Switzerland), DESY & DAAD RISE (Germany), HKU (Hong Kong), Purdue SURF & WHOI (USA), and the University of Tokyo UTRIP (Japan). I also added a practical checklist to help you apply smarter.

1) CERN Summer Student Programme 2026 (Switzerland)

CERN’s Summer Student Programme is one of the most competitive STEM opportunities in the world. It’s designed for students in fields like physics, engineering, computer science, and mathematics, with placements that expose you to real research teams and international experts. (SmartRecruiters)

Typical eligibility (summary):

• Bachelor’s or Master’s student (not PhD)

• Completed at least 3 academic years / 6 semesters by summer start

• Strong English proficiency (SmartRecruiters)

What you typically prepare:

• CV, transcripts, and a reference letter (as requested in the application portal guidance). (careers.cern)

2) CERN openlab Summer Student Programme 2026 (IT / Data / Computing)

If your audience loves tech roles (AI, data, software, cloud, cybersecurity), CERN openlab is a perfect angle. The programme runs around summer 2026 with structured start dates, and the official openlab page lists benefits such as allowance, travel support, health insurance coverage, and accommodation assistance. (CERN OpenLab)

Key deadline (official):

• 26 January 2026 (23:59 Geneva time/CET) (SmartRecruiters)

3) DESY Summer Student Programme 2026 (Germany)

DESY (Germany) runs a well-known summer programme for students interested in research areas like physics, photon science, accelerators, and computing. DESY confirms the programme dates and that applications remain open until the stated deadline. (DESY Summer Student Programme)

Confirmed on DESY site:

• Programme dates: 21 July – 10 September 2026 (DESY Summer Student Programme)

• Application deadline: 31 January 2026 (DESY Summer Student Programme)

4) DAAD RISE Germany (Research Internships)

DAAD RISE Germany is a popular research internship route for international undergraduates, especially those targeting Germany for future Master’s/PhD plans. DAAD provides clear timelines for application submission and recommendation letters. (DAAD)

Confirmed on DAAD page:

• Applications: Oct 15 – Nov 30, 2025

• References/letters: Oct 15 – Dec 15, 2025 (DAAD)

5) HKU Summer Research Programme 2026 (Hong Kong)

HKU’s programme targets students who want serious research exposure and may consider postgraduate study later. HKU confirms the online application window and fee in the programme notice. (HKU Graduate School)

Confirmed on HKU page:

• Application system open: Jan 9, 2026 → Feb 9, 2026 (Hong Kong Time) (HKU Graduate School)

6) Purdue SURF 2026 (USA) — Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship

Purdue Engineering’s SURF is a structured research fellowship with published dates, priority deadline, and programme timeline (remote onboarding + in-person research period). (Purdue Engineering)

Confirmed on Purdue page:

• Application opens: Dec 1, 2025

• Priority deadline: Jan 15, 2026 (rolling after)

• In-person period: Jun 1 – Aug 7, 2026 (Purdue Engineering)

7) WHOI Summer Student Fellowship 2026 (USA) — Ocean Science & Engineering

WHOI (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution) is excellent for students in science, engineering, math, and related fields who want real research experience. WHOI clearly posts the application deadline for Summer 2026 on its admissions page. (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)

Confirmed on WHOI page:

• Deadline: February 1, 2026 (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)

8) University of Tokyo UTRIP 2026 (Japan)

UTRIP is a prestigious research internship experience hosted by the University of Tokyo. The application portal notes the recommendation letter deadline, and third-party summaries reflect the main application deadline (verify on the official UTRIP pages when applying). (東京大学 大学院理学系研究科・理学部)

Confirmed on UTRIP application system:

• Recommendation letter deadline: Jan 14, 2026 (17:00 JST) (東京大学 大学院理学系研究科・理学部)

9) HZDR Summer Student Programme 2026 (Germany)

You provided the official HZDR link, but it blocks automated access (robots). Because of that, I can’t cite the official deadline text directly from their page here. What I can do is:

• Include it in the blog with a clear “confirm on official portal” note

• Provide the official URL for readers to verify

For deadline guidance, multiple third-party listings report 22 February 2026, but your blog should still tell applicants to confirm on the official HZDR page before submitting. (Opportunities Nexus)

Quick Application Checklist (Use This for Every Programme)

Before you apply, prepare these early:

• Updated 1-page CV (ATS friendly)

• Current transcript (official or unofficial depending on programme)

• 1–2 strong recommendation letters (contact referees early!)

• Motivation letter tailored to each programme

• Passport validity + travel availability

FAQ

Are these programmes fully funded?
Some provide stipend/allowance, travel support, or accommodation help (varies by programme). Always verify funding details on the official pages. (CERN OpenLab)

Can international students apply?
Most of the programmes above are international-friendly, but eligibility differs by programme and sometimes by country rules. Always check the official requirements.

When should I start preparing?
Now. Many deadlines are January–February 2026, and recommendation letters take time. (DESY Summer Student Programme)

Final Notes

This post is informational. Deadlines and benefits can change — readers should verify on the official programme pages before applying.