EMBL Undergraduate Internships — Internship

The European Molecular Biology Laboratory offers undergraduate research internships across its laboratories in Heidelberg, Grenoble, Hamburg, Hinxton, Rome, and Barcelona. Students from natural-science disciplines can join an EMBL research group for practical research, often as part of a Diploma, Bachelor’s, or Master’s thesis, although EMBL also considers internships outside a formal thesis arrangement. There is no central cohort or fixed deadline: applicants approach a suitable group leader directly, and the host and student agree on the project, timing, and duration.

Benefits & funding

Students may receive payment from grants held by the host group, but payment is entirely at the group leader’s discretion.
A host group may provide a limited contribution toward accommodation and living costs; this support is not guaranteed.
Accommodation arrangements vary by EMBL site and must be discussed with the host laboratory.
EMBL states that relocating trainees and interns receive travel-cost support and workplace accident insurance; subsidised cafeterias and free shuttle services are available at many campuses.
The total stay may not exceed 12 months.

Eligibility

Applicants must be enrolled at a university or professional school as an undergraduate or Master’s student. EMBL states the age minimum of 18 only for its trainee category; its separate Master-student category does not publish an age floor.
Relevant disciplines include biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, medicine, informatics, and engineering.
Internships may form part of a Diploma, Bachelor’s, or Master’s thesis, but a formal thesis arrangement is not mandatory.
EMBL publishes no nationality or residency restriction for this route.
Students considering a later application to the EMBL International PhD Programme should consult the group leader and Graduate Office before an EMBL stay longer than three months.

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Application process

1
Review EMBL’s research units and identify one or more groups aligned with the proposed research interests.
2
Contact the chosen group leader directly; there is no central application form for this route.
3
Include a short CV, a concise statement of research interests and reasons for choosing the group, the internship’s purpose and intended duration, preferred dates and flexibility, and contact details for a home-university faculty member who can provide a support letter.
4
Discuss project scope, dates, accommodation, and financial conditions with the prospective host.
5
If the group leader accepts the visit, the Scientific Visitor Programme is notified and supports the logistical arrangements.

Program timeline

Rolling
There is no fixed application deadline.
Before the preferred start
The student and host agree on the project, timing, duration, accommodation, and financial conditions.
After host acceptance
The Scientific Visitor Programme coordinates logistical support.