The Department of Computer Science at ETH Zurich, one of the world’s top technical universities, is accepting applications for the ETH Student Summer Research Fellowship (ETH SSRF) 2027. Selected bachelor’s and master’s students spend two summer months in Zurich, Switzerland doing real research in an ETH computer science lab. Fellows get a CHF 4,000 stipend, and travel and visa costs are covered.
It’s open to students worldwide (except those already enrolled at ETH Zurich), so African students can apply. The deadline is 16 December 2026 at 13:00 Central European Time.
At a Glance
| Host | Department of Computer Science, ETH Zurich |
| Dates | 2 July – 27 August 2027, in person in Zurich |
| Stipend | CHF 4,000 for housing and living costs |
| Travel and visa | Covered, reimbursed against receipts |
| Who can apply | Bachelor’s and master’s students in computer science or related fields, worldwide |
| Deadline | 16 December 2026, 13:00 CET (1pm in Lagos, 2pm in Johannesburg, 3pm in Nairobi) |
| Results | By email by the end of February 2027 |
Research Areas
- Machine learning
- Information security
- Computer systems
- Robotics
- Programming languages and software engineering
- Bio/medical informatics
- Human-computer interaction
- Theory
- Visual computing
Benefits
- A CHF 4,000 stipend for housing and living expenses
- Travel and visa costs covered, claimed against receipts at the start of the programme
- Real research experience in an ETH computer science lab, with faculty mentors
- A strong addition to future applications for master’s and PhD programmes
- A network of talented students from around the world
Eligibility
- You must be enrolled in a bachelor’s or master’s programme in computer science or a closely related field, such as electrical engineering, mathematics or physics.
- You must have completed two years of study by the start of the programme. Master’s students already meet this.
- Your expected graduation must be in 2028 or later.
- You must be present for the full two months, July and August 2027.
- You need a good working knowledge of English. No test certificate is required, but it may be checked at interview.
- Students currently enrolled at ETH Zurich can’t apply.
How to Apply
- Look at the participating labs and choose one or two research areas where you already have some background. Don’t contact faculty directly.
- Prepare these documents as PDFs:
- a CV in English, in Europass format
- your official transcript in English, German, French or Italian. Self-made transcripts or screenshots aren’t accepted.
- a motivation letter of no more than one page
- Register on SiROP, ETH’s application platform, then open the ETH SSRF opportunity and click Apply now.
- Submit before 16 December 2026, 13:00 CET. Don’t leave it to the last minute.
Official ETH SSRF application page · Programme overview
Tips for African Students
- Get an official transcript early. Ask your university’s records office now, and make sure it’s in English.
- Pick areas you’ve already worked in, such as a machine learning course project, a security CTF or a robotics club.
- Keep the motivation letter specific: why this area, what you hope to learn, and how it fits your research goals.
- Plan for the Swiss visa. ETH covers the cost, but apply as soon as you’re accepted.
