ShanghaiTech University runs a short summer research placement for undergraduates from its overseas partner institutions, coordinated by the Office of International Affairs. Each participant joins one ShanghaiTech lab and works on that group’s research under faculty supervision, with access to the university’s research facilities and to national science platforms on the Zhangjiang campus. The placement is non-credit and carries no tuition or registration fee, and it runs six to eight weeks over the summer.
Recent cohorts have been small: three students in 2024, from UC Berkeley, Leiden University Medical Center and the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, and six in 2025, from Oxford, the University of Pennsylvania and the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology. Past projects have covered nanomaterials, protein interaction, drug design, cryo-electron microscopy and developmental biology. A cultural programme and visits to startups in Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park sit alongside the lab work.
Benefits & funding
- Tuition and registration fees waived for students from partner institutions and from institutions invited by ShanghaiTech.
- A place in a chosen ShanghaiTech lab, with faculty supervision and use of the university’s research facilities and national science platforms.
- A complimentary cultural tour and visits to startup companies in Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park. Past cohorts visited Xinchang Ancient Town, the Shanghai Museum, Lujiazui and Suzhou.
- No stipend, travel allowance or accommodation grant is offered.
- No campus housing is provided. The university estimates off-campus single rooms at about USD 500–600 per month, paid by the student.
- Participants must buy the Comprehensive Insurance and Protection Scheme for foreigners staying in China before arrival, at their own cost.
Eligibility
- Current undergraduate students who are not Chinese nationals.
- Enrolment at a ShanghaiTech partner institution, or at an institution invited by ShanghaiTech. The partner list is published with each year’s call.
- At least one completed academic year at the home university.
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
- Good English communication skills. Chinese is not required.
- Ability to obtain an X2 student visa for a stay of under 180 days.
- Applications travel through a coordinator at the home university. Individual applications sent straight to ShanghaiTech are not part of the process.
Can you apply?
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Application process
- 1Read the lab availability list published with the call and pick a lab that matches your research interest.
- 2Complete the International Visiting Student Application Form.
- 3Send the form with a resume and a statement of purpose to the coordinator at your home university.
- 4The coordinator forwards the application to ShanghaiTech’s Office of International Affairs.
- 5Attend a virtual interview if the host lab requests one.
- 6Confirm your acceptance by the date given in the acceptance email.
- 7Receive the official visa invitation letter, then arrange the X2 visa, the mandatory insurance and off-campus housing before arrival.
Program timeline
April 30, 2026
Application deadline for the 2026 cycle
June 29, 2026
2026 placements start
August 2026
Placements end after six to eight weeks; the 2025 edition ran 25 June to 20 August
Early 2027
Next annual call expected; ShanghaiTech has not published 2027 dates