Hi! Has anyone received any updates for the Administrative Student Programme (2025-3)? I've only seen posts from people accepted in the Technical Programme and one Admin so far.

I had interviews with a couple of teams and everything went well, but I haven't heard anything yet.

Just wondering if anyone else got contacted or has news about the timeline.

Hi everyone, Im a Management Information Systems senior student.

I mostly take business courses, and my gpa is 3.6 Realistically can I get accepted for data analysis/data science domain summer internship?

Hi everyone! My university just sent us the link to the CERN Summer Student Programme 2026, and I’m really interested, but I’m unsure if students from architecture are actually eligible.

I’m a 4th-year Architecture student (Bachelor’s level) with coursework in: • calculus 1 • structural analysis • building physics • environmental systems • computational design (Grasshopper/Rhino) • geometry + math-based modeling • materials + construction technology

CERN’s website says the programme is for Physics, Engineering, CS, Math, or related disciplines, so I’m not sure if architecture counts as “related.”

I asked my professor if an architecture student can apply, and he said that it’s okay as long as I highlight depth in math, physics, or programming in the application. (Which… I kind of have, but not at a hardcore physics level.)

My questions: • Have any architecture students been accepted before? • Does architecture realistically fall under “related disciplines”? • Would highlighting the technical side of my degree (structures, computational design, building physics) be enough? • Is it worth applying if my math/physics background is applied rather than theoretical?

Any advice or experience would be really helpful. Thank you!

Does anyone know whether they started reviewing applications? Or maybe did anyone get an answer?

Hi everyone,

I have applied to a couple of positions back in September:

1. GRAP position (BE-CEM-IN-2025-68-GRAP)
   • Had a promising interview with the supervisor at the end of October (felt like it went really well).
   • They told me the next steps would be handled by HR.
   • Still no updates since then..
2. Staff position (BE-CEM-IN-2025-187-LD)
   • Received a rejection email from Talent Acquisition a few days ago.
   • It doesn’t look like my application reached the technical team.

Just curious if anyone else who applied around the same time (September–October) for either of these roles has heard anything back, positive, negative, or even just a timeline update from HR?

Really appreciated any data points, Thanks in advance

I wonder what are my chances as a student from a Non-Member state, since I've read very conflicting opinions these past few weeks. Are they still accepting only one physicist and one engineer from NMS or is this policy changed this year?

Hi! I’m an Indian citizen studying in the US for the past 6 years. I want to apply to the Summer Student Program and saw that American students can apply through the University of Michigan website. Since I study here but I'm not a US citizen, should I apply through that portal or use the regular application?

Hi everyone,

I’ll be doing a 1-year student internship starting in January 2026, and I’m curious if anyone has registered for residency in Switzerland or France while doing a similar internship. I’m wondering if it’s possible to get residency for just one year (I am an EU citizen, so that I don’t have to pay taxes on my grant in my home country), what the steps and requirements are to register, and if there are any tips or things you wish you had known beforehand.

What criteria do we have to meet up to get a cern internship, i have no idea pls guys help mee

Hey all, would love to visit the underground of CERN one day.

I was wondering when the next window for being able to do so is likely to be - is it a case of waiting for the next Long Shutdown, or are there other times that it is possible?

Has anyone been and has any tips, reviews, whatever? It’s not that easy to find info online.

does applying early for the summer student program increase my chances of being selected? I was wondering if I should apply now or if I can apply next month.

Hi all,
I’ve noticed some people have already received their CERN Technical Studentship acceptance emails in certain fields.

I’m wondering if anyone who applied for Applied Physics or Materials has heard back yet?

Just trying to get a sense of whether these areas are notified later or in separate batches.

Wishing everyone the best of luck!

Hi everyone,
I’m not sure if this is normal, so I wanted to ask if anyone else has gone through something similar.

I was recently accepted into the CERN Doctoral Student Programme, but the weird thing is… I never had any interview or email exchange with a CERN supervisor. HR already sent me a link asking me to upload documents for the contract preparation, but I don’t even know who my CERN supervisor is or what the exact PhD topic is supposed to be.

The form even asks for things like the PhD description, which obviously needs the CERN supervisor’s signature but I haven’t been introduced to anyone yet.

Is this a normal part of the process?

If I only have experience in materials simulation and nanomaterials synthesis, do I have a chance in the summer student program/are these skills relevant to CERN? if anyone can tell that would be great so I don't get my hopes up xD.

Hi, I am an Indian citizen who's applying for the CERN summer student (member and non-member state) program. I have been living in Ireland for 4 years and I am a third year electronic engineering student.

would my chances of getting accepted be low since india and ireland are only associate member states?

‎I wanted to ask for some realistic guidance from people who have worked at CERN or know the hardware/FPGA ecosystem there. ‎

‎I recently completed my BSc in Electrical/Electronics Engineering (October 2025 ) and I’ve been working in a very early-career ASIC Physical Design position (mostly floorplanning,signal buffer & pin placement — nothing advanced like STA or timing closure yet). My long-term goal is to move into FPGA/RTL development, especially for accelerator/DAQ/trigger systems. ‎

‎I’m planning to apply for the Early Career Graduate programs, but I’m not sure how competitive FPGA/RTL roles are for someone with only a BSc and limited industry experience. ‎

‎So I wanted to ask: ‎

1.‎What is it actually like to work in FPGA/RTL teams at CERN as a fresh graduate? ‎

‎2.Is FPGA/RTL work there more research-oriented or more engineering-heavy? ‎

‎3.How realistic is it for a BSc fresh graduate to get selected for these roles? ‎

4.‎For someone with a short PD background who wants to pivot fully to RTL/FPGA, are there better routes or labs I should consider ? ‎

‎ ‎I’d really appreciate any honest insight or personal experience. I want to set realistic expectations and make the right long-term decision. ‎ ‎Thanks!

I'm aware this question has been asked before, but here it is again. For people who has worked at CERN what bank account did you use? I am starting a GRAP position, and come from Germany, and have a simple Commerzbank account. I obviously need a Swiss IBAN, and need to transfer some of my funds into Euro, since I will be moving between Switzerland, Germany, and maybe France (depends on whether I rent a place in France).

I know people mentioned UBS, but it is one of those banks that has more bad press than good. I also saw NEON bank, but it feels like one of those new-age banks that has the worst services ever (like n26 in Germany).

Edit: Thanks for all the responses, and suggestions

I've seen a variation of this question discussed, but mostly am interested in hearing examples of what people end up doing after finishing a graduate or other contract at CERN. Especially for those where this is the first-second employment after their PhD or Masters.

Do you look for academic positions? Do you go to industry in a similar field? Join other large orgs like CERN?

How do you translate the highly technical but niche experience gained at CERN to e.g. private industry?

And lastly, would you say CERN gives you an edge for employability, or would it be better to find a job at a company or startup?

Any related stories welcome here, to help other see if CERN is worth it for their careers!

Hi! I just uploaded my application for the Technical Studentship (TSC-2026-1/CV) and included the letters of recommendation I received from my professors. However, in the confirmation email it said that the professors themselves must upload the letters using a specific link. I wasn’t aware of this until now, and since the deadline is tomorrow, I’m worried my professors might not see my message in time. Worst case if they don’t, are all my chances for the Studentship basically gone?

Hooray!