Are you a driven student or early‑career researcher with a passion for sustainability, environmental science, data, or technology? ETH Zurich Summer Research Opportunity 2026 may be the perfect launchpad for your ambitions. This fully funded two-month programme offers global applicants the chance to engage in cutting-edge research, work with world-class labs, and immerse themselves in an international academic environment, all without financial burden.
What is the Programme?
Hosted by ETH Zurich’s Department of Computer Science, the ETH Student Summer Research Fellowship (SSRF) is among the most prestigious summer research internships in Europe. Open to students worldwide (except those already enrolled at ETH), the fellowship aims to foster diversity and bring together international minds to explore advanced topics.
The 2026 edition will run from 1 July to 28 August 2026, giving fellows a full eight‑week period for research and learning.
Research Areas & Learning Experience
Participants can engage in a variety of fields, depending on their interests and academic background. Some of the available research areas include:
- Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
- Data Management, Big Data & Data Science
- Information Security and Cybersecurity
- Computer Systems and Architecture
- Software Engineering & Programming Languages
- Robotics, Autonomous Systems, and Physical Computing
- Human–Computer Interaction, Visual Computing & Graphics
- Theory, Algorithms, and Computational Mathematics
Once accepted, you are matched with a research group aligned with your chosen area. Under the guidance of experienced faculty and PhD-level mentors, you’ll contribute to real research projects, from conceptual stages to practical experimentation and analysis. The fellowship emphasises hands‑on experience, mentorship, and collaboration with both peers and established researchers.
Beyond labs, you’ll get a taste of Swiss academic life: interactions with fellow international students, participation in social events, and the opportunity to explore Zürich and Switzerland’s scenic landscapes during free time.
Financial Support: What Is Covered
One of the strongest features of this fellowship is its comprehensive funding. If selected, you receive:
- A stipend — typically CHF 4,000 (or equivalent) — to cover housing and living expenses for the full duration.
- Travel reimbursement — round‑trip airfare to Switzerland is covered, and visa costs are reimbursed.
- Accommodation arranged in student housing (usually single rooms with shared facilities) for the duration of the fellowship.
- No application or participation fees, and in many cases, no requirement for an English-language test like IELTS.
This level of support ensures that international applicants, regardless of economic background, can participate fully, without worrying about major expenses.
Who Is Eligible?
The ETH SSRF welcomes students from all around the world, provided they meet the following conditions:
- Be enrolled in a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science or a related field (e.g., electrical engineering, mathematics, phys
- Have completed at least two years of university-level study by the time the programme begins.
- Degree completion date should be 2026 or later (i.e. you should not graduate before or during the fellowship).
- Strong working knowledge of English (even if no formal test like IELTS is required).
Given your background in sustainable development, environmental research, and your academic credentials, even though your experience is more interdisciplinary than strictly computer science, you may still consider whether you meet the degree/discipline requirements or if similar fellowships at other departments might fit (e.g., environmental data, sustainability modelling, etc.).
Why This Opportunity is Ideal — Especially for You
- No financial burden: Full coverage of travel, housing, visa, living costs — meaning you can focus entirely on research and learning.
- Global exposure: ETH Zurich is a top‑tier international institution. A fellowship here adds significant weight to your CV/resume — especially useful given your interest in UN agencies, NGOs, and sustainable development roles.
- Interdisciplinary potential: Though the programme is housed in Computer Science, many research groups intersect with data science, environmental modelling, computational sustainability — which aligns with your prior NGO and environmental advocacy experience.
- Networking & mentorship: Work directly with leading researchers, meet peers from around the world, get exposure to advanced academic culture — this can open doors for future academic or consultancy roles, including potential involvement with international organisations.
- Cultural & personal growth: Living and working in Switzerland: with its safety, quality of life, access to nature and international community, offers personal enrichment and new perspectives, valuable for someone with global development ambitions.
How to Apply: Step‑by‑Step
- Monitor official calls — The fellowship typically opens for applications around early November. For 2026, this means checking ETH’s website around November 2025 (or as soon as possible).
- Prepare required documents: You’ll usually need: a CV/resume; academic transcripts; a motivation letter (ideally ~1 page); and, if required, a short summary of research interests or proposal aligned with available research areas.
- Select research area(s): Review ETH’s research groups and choose one or two fields that match your background or interest — this helps tailor your application and motivates your motivation letter.
- Submit application via official portal: Most sources mention application through the official online system (often named “SiROP” or the ETH application portal).
- Await selection and potential visa/travel arrangements: If accepted, ETH handles accommodation, stipend, and provides guidance for visa and travel reimbursement.
What to Do Next — Given Your Background
Given your strong track record in sustainable development, NGO work, environmental advocacy, and international programme writing, you might consider applying, especially if you can justify your interest in computational or data‑driven environmental research (e.g. modelling, GIS, data analysis for sustainability).
Before applying, reflect on which research area interests you most, and consider drafting a motivation letter that highlights: your environmental background, NGO experience, commitment to sustainable development, and readiness to adapt and learn in a global academic environment.
If ETH’s Computer Science‑oriented fellowship doesn’t align perfectly with your background, you could also explore: summer research fellowships in environmental science, climate modelling, data science for sustainability, or even internships at European universities. The key is to find programmes with current/future application windows (2025–2026), good funding, and fields tied to your passions.