Candidates must be registered with a university or higher technical school throughout the entire duration of their stay at CERN. The work completed at CERN often forms part of the student's final year studies.

The results of the selection for the Summer Students Programme are made available by mid/end April. Everyone will receive an email informing them of the results of their application after this time.

Unfortunately we only accept students who are registered with a University or Higher Education Institute and who are studying for a PhD. Those not registered at the time of the application but who will be by the time they would start at CERN can also apply. A student's work on this programme must be followed by a Professor at their Educational Institution whilst at CERN. They are expected to gain their PhD only upon return to their home institute.

This programme is open to all nationals of the CERN Member and Associate Member States. 

It is not necessary for applicants to have already decided the topic of their thesis before applying. Applicants can either choose to start their placement with a thesis subject already agreed upon by their university, or they can select one from the list of proposed subjects on the CERN website. In the latter case, the home institute and CERN share supervision of the written work.