The DESY Summer Student Program 2026 is an exceptional fully funded research internship for international undergraduate and master’s students in physics, computing, engineering, and natural sciences. The program runs for 7.5 weeks, from 21 July to 10 September 2026, at Germany’s premier particle physics research center, DESY.

×

Join Our Scholarship & Jobs Community

Follow Us on WhatsApp Never miss an update

Join Us on Telegram Get instant alerts

Applications open early December 2025 and close on 31 January 2026, making this one of the earliest and most competitive European summer programs for science students.

Every year, around 100 participants from all continents join DESY in Hamburg or Zeuthen (Berlin) for hands-on participation in world-leading research projects including photon science, accelerators, particle physics, and astroparticle physics—without requiring IELTS/TOEFL. Students also check: University of Otago Scholarships 2026-27 in New Zealand

Details of DESY Summer Student Program in Germany

Check, also: Ritsumeikan University MEXT Scholarships in Japan 2026–27 (Fully Funded)

Why Choose the DESY Summer Student Program? (Top 7 Reasons)

1. Access to world-class research facilities (PETRA III, XFEL)
2. Work alongside top international scientists
3. Fully funded with housing + stipend
4. Strong steppingstone to graduate studies
5. Multicultural global student community
6. English-only environment (no German required)
7. Balanced research + academic learning experience

Programme Dates

• Start Date 21 July 2026
• End Date 10 September 2026
• Total Duration 7.5 weeks

Programme Activities

Participants will:

• Work in DESY research groups in Hamburg or Zeuthen
• Conduct project work (experiments, data analysis, software development, or theoretical studies)
• Attend English-language lectures
• Take part in lab tours, accelerator visits, and scientific events
• Work 39 hours per week, combining research + lectures

Institution Overview: About DESY

DESY (Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron) is Germany’s largest particle physics and photon science laboratory. Founded in 1959, it operates in:

• Hamburg – PETRA III, European XFEL research facilities
• Zeuthen (Berlin) – Astroparticle physics centers, including IceCube collaborations

DESY hosts over 2,500 staff, major international collaborations, and world-class facilities used by thousands of scientists annually.

Available Study & Research Areas

DESY organizes projects in four main science areas:

1. Photon Science

• Detector work
• Data analysis
• Synchrotron & XFEL experiments
• Physics, biology, chemistry applications

2. Accelerators

• Beam diagnostics
• Engineering tasks
• Software for accelerator systems
• Hardware improvements

3. Elementary Particle Physics

• Collider data analysis
• Theory simulations
• Computing & Monte Carlo modeling

4. Astroparticle Physics

• Neutrino detection (IceCube)
• Dark matter simulations
• Analysis of cosmic-ray experiments

DESY Summer Student Program 2026 – Fully Funded Benefits

• Accommodation: Free DESY hostel stay for the entire program

• Daily Allowance: €28.50 per day (approximately €1,482 total)

• Travel Support: €125 lump sum + up to 80% reimbursement for costs above €300

• ECTS Credits: Equivalent to 10 ECTS

• Lectures: English sessions conducted by experts

• Facility Tours: Visits to PETRA III, XFEL, and accelerator halls

Note: Meals, visa fees, health insurance, and personal expenses are not included.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify, applicants must:

• Have completed at least 3 years of full-time university studies in physics, natural sciences, computing, or engineering by summer 2026
• Be currently enrolled during the full program dates (required by German law)
• Be in final years of Bachelor’s OR first year of Master’s
  (Fully completed Master’s degrees are not eligible)
• Have good English proficiency
• Have basic computing/programming skills
• Never have attended DESY Summer Program before
• Non-EU students must be eligible for a German work permit

Selection & Notification Timeline

Required Documents

Applicants must upload documents in PDF format.

• CV in tabular form (1–2 pages)
• Official transcripts
• Academic record of courses
• Proof of enrollment

Second PDF (Only for Non-EU/EEA Applicants)

• Passport copy
• Enrollment certificate covering full program dates
• Signed & stamped “Declaration of Certificate of Enrollment”

Reference Letters

• Provide referee’s name + email
• Referee receives automatic upload link
• Up to two reference letters required
• Referees upload letters after student nomination

Estimated Monthly Living Costs in Hamburg/Zeuthen (USD)

• Accommodation: $0 — Free DESY hostel
• Food: $300–450 — Depends on supermarket/canteen use
• Transport: $60–90 — HVV Berlin/Hamburg pass
• Health Insurance: $120–150 — Mandatory
• Utilities/Phone: $50–80 — Basic coverage
• Leisure/Misc: $100–200 — Personal spending

Zeuthen is 10–15% cheaper than Hamburg

DESY Summer Student Program Application Deadline

The last date to apply for International Summer Student Program 2026 in Germany is 31st January 2026.

• Applications Open: Early December 2025
• Deadline :31 January 2026
• Program Period : 21 July – 10 September 2026

How to Apply for DESY Summer Student Program?

1. Read program conditions and choose 3 preferred research areas.
2. Wait for portal to open in early December 2025 at:
   summerstudents.desy.de
3. Fill online form with personal data, academic history, project choices.
4. Upload required PDFs.
5. Add referee email(s); references upload separately.
6. Submit before 31 January 2026.
7. Respond to potential supervisor queries during Feb–March.

FAQ

Is IELTS/TOEFL Required?

No. Good English skills are enough.

Can final-year Master’s students apply?

No. Only first-year Master’s or Bachelor’s students.

How competitive is DESY Summer Program?

Highly competitive—only ~100 students selected worldwide.

Do I need a visa?

Yes, and DESY assists non-EU students with the work permit process.

Are expenses fully covered?

Housing + stipend + partial travel support provided.