The Swiss-European Mobility Programme (SEMP) is the Swiss mobility scheme that took over from Erasmus, and this grant is its traineeship strand at the University of Zurich. Global Student Experience, the UZH mobility office, handles the application and pays the money.
It funds work placements rather than study abroad: a research internship in a university lab, or a placement in a company, an NGO or a start-up. Students find the position themselves; UZH points to IAESTE, SIROP, AIESEC, swissnex, its own Career Services and the Global Placement database.
The grant is a contribution towards the extra costs of a stay abroad. That is why it covers only traineeships that pay nothing or very little.
Benefits & funding
- CHF 440 per month for a traineeship within Europe, calculated on a per diem basis.
- CHF 500 per month for a traineeship outside Europe, also calculated on a per diem basis.
- CHF 100 on top for travelling to and from the destination by train or bus, on proof of travel such as a copy of the ticket.
- Students with a disability who incur additional costs during the stay can apply for a further grant through Global Student Experience at Movetia.
- The payment is a contribution towards additional expenses abroad, not a wage.
Eligibility
- Open to students matriculated at the University of Zurich at the time of application, at Bachelor’s or Master’s level.
- A traineeship position and a supervisor at a university or a company must already be secured.
- The traineeship must last at least two months and no more than twelve months.
- Only traineeships with no or very low compensation can be funded.
- Students still in their degree must have the traineeship recognised towards it, for example as ECTS credits, an entry in the transcript of records or diploma supplement, or a term paper.
- A traineeship after graduation is possible as long as the degree is no more than twelve months old when the traineeship ends.
- No nationality, age or gender restriction is stated.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Education required
Bachelor Enrolled · Master Enrolled · Bachelor · Master
Circlebreaker is a free database of global fellowships, scholarships and programs — every one decoded like this.
We only check the criteria we have data for. Always confirm full eligibility on the official page before applying.
Application process
- 1Find a traineeship position and a supervisor; UZH names IAESTE, SIROP, AIESEC, swissnex, UZH Career Services and the Global Placement database as search routes.
- 2Agree the recognition of the traineeship with the department if the degree is still running.
- 3Fill in the application form and register on Mobility Online.
- 4Upload the application documents in Mobility Online; Global Student Experience sends the details after registration.
- 5Have the whole Mobility Online application complete at least 60 days before the traineeship starts.
Program timeline
4 months before the start
contact Global Student Experience if the disability grant is needed
60 days before the start
Mobility Online application complete
Traineeship
2 to 12 months abroad
Within 12 months of graduation
the latest point at which a post-degree traineeship still qualifies