2025 Fully Funded CERN Internships in Switzerland: Your Ultimate Guide

Are you dreaming of working at one of the world’s leading science institutions and getting paid for it? The CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research) offers fully funded internships in Switzerland — a chance many students around the world look forward to. In this article, you’ll find everything you need to know about the 2025 CERN fully funded internships in Switzerland. I make it simple — you don’t need to be an expert to understand.

What is CERN and Why Its Internships Matter

CERN is one of the world’s top research institutions. It is famous for cutting-edge science and engineering — building particle accelerators, doing physics research, and bringing together scientists from all over the world.

An internship at CERN doesn’t just look good on your résumé. It means you get to:

Work with experts on real projects.
Learn in a multicultural and diverse environment.
Gain practical experience beyond classroom theory.
Get paid — often a significant stipend — and receive other support like travel, insurance, and more.

Because of that, CERN internships are among the most prestigious and competitive internships worldwide.

Types of CERN Internships in 2025

CERN offers more than one kind of internship. For 2025, the main ones are:

Internship Program	Duration	Who It’s For	Typical Fields / Areas
Technical Student / Internship	4–12 months Opportunities Radar+2scholarship square+2	Undergraduate or Master’s students in technical / science / engineering disciplines	Applied Physics; Electrical/Electronics Engineering; Mechanical Engineering; Civil/General Engineering; IT, Mathematics & Robotics; Material & Surface Science scholarship square+2eqopp.com+2
Administrative Student Internship	2–12 months fullyscholarships.com+2iHarare News+2	Undergraduate or Master’s students in non-technical fields (administration, communication, law, business, etc.)	Human Resources; Translation; Business Administration; Finance; Law; Communication & Public Relations; Science Communication; Library / Information Science; and more fullyscholarships.com+2iHarare News+2
Short-Term / Summer Internships (Short-Term / STAG)	1–6 months careers.cern+2careers.cern+2	Undergraduate students (technical or administrative fields)	Wide range — similar to technical or administrative fields based on project needs careers.cern+1

Note: There are also special summer-only internships (like summer student programs), but this article focuses mainly on the standard “fully funded internships” for 2025.

What “Fully Funded” Means at CERN: What You Get

One of the biggest advantages of CERN internships — aside from experience — is that many are “fully funded.” This means CERN supports you financially so you don’t have to pay much out of your own pocket. Depending on the program, typical benefits include:

Monthly stipend / allowance: For technical and long internships — around CHF 3,450 monthly (Swiss Francs). fullyscholarships.com+2eqopp.com+2
Travel allowance / Airfare reimbursement: Round-trip economy class travel to and from Geneva is often covered. fullyscholarships.com+2scholarship square+2
Health insurance: Interns are usually covered under CERN’s medical insurance plan during their stay. fullyscholarships.com+2edinbox.com+2
Paid leave / holiday allowance: Some internships give paid leave (e.g. 2.5 days per month) depending on duration. careers.cern+1
Accommodation support or help finding housing: Especially for long-term or technical internships. scholarship square+1
Family allowance (if eligible): For interns with dependent spouse or children (though this depends on personal circumstances). edinbox.com+1

All of this means — if selected — you can intern at CERN with minimal personal cost while gaining priceless international experience.

Who Can Apply: Eligibility Criteria (2025)

Not everyone can apply. CERN has clear eligibility requirements depending on the type of internship. Here are the typical criteria for 2025.

For Technical / Long Internships

Must be enrolled in a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree program in a technical/science field (e.g. applied physics, engineering, IT, mathematics, materials science, etc.) scholarship square+2eqopp.com+2
Must have completed at least 18 months (3 semesters) of full-time studies by the time of application. edinbox.com+2eqopp.com+2
Must remain a full-time student during the internship period. eqopp.com+2scholarship square+2
Good working knowledge of English or French is required (but no formal test like IELTS or TOEFL is usually needed). edinbox.com+2scholarship square+2
Must be a citizen of a CERN Member State or Associate Member State. edinbox.com+2scholarship square+2

For Administrative Student Internships

Must be studying in a relevant administrative, language, communication, business, law, or social-science-related program (human resources, translation, finance, law, communications, library science, etc.) fullyscholarships.com+2iHarare News+2
Must have completed at least 18 months (or 3 semesters) of full-time undergraduate studies. fullyscholarships.com+1
Must remain a full-time student during the internship. fullyscholarships.com+1
Good working knowledge of English or French is required. fullyscholarships.com+1
Must be a citizen of a CERN Member or Associate Member State (or eligible under CERN nationality rules). edinbox.com+2fullyscholarships.com+2

For Short-Term / Summer Internships

Must be at least 18 years old and enrolled in a post-secondary degree (Bachelor’s, Master’s, or technical/administrative diploma) — but not a PhD. UN Talent+2careers.cern+2
Must be registered full-time as a student at time of internship. careers.cern+2UN Talent+2
Must have working knowledge of English and/or French. UN Talent+2VSB+2

What Fields or Subjects Can You Work In at CERN Internships

Depending on which internship you apply for, CERN offers many possible fields.

Technical / Engineering / Science Fields

Applied Physics scholarship square+1
Mechanical Engineering, Civil or General Engineering scholarship square+1
Electrical / Electronics Engineering scholarship square+1
IT, Computer Science, Robotics, Mathematics, Data Science scholarship square+1
Material Science, Surface Science, or related disciplines scholarship square+1

Administrative / Non-Technical Fields

Human Resources, Administration, Logistics fullyscholarships.com+2iHarare News+2
Translation, Language Studies, Writing / Communication / Public Relations fullyscholarships.com+1
Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Audit, Legal Studies, Law iHarare News+2mucuruzi.com+2
Library & Information Science, Documentation, Science Communication, Education, etc. fullyscholarships.com+2mucuruzi.com+2

In short — whether you study science, engineering, IT, business, languages or social sciences, there’s a good chance there is a relevant internship opportunity.

Application Process: Step by Step Guide (2025 Edition)

If you want to apply to the 2025 CERN internships, here’s a simple step-by-step guide to help you.

Check eligibility — Make sure your field, nationality and student status match CERN’s criteria (see previous section).
Prepare your documents — Typically you need:
- CV / résumé (in English or French) eqopp.com+2edinbox.com+2
- Academic transcripts (showing that you completed at least 18 months) edinbox.com+1
- Sometimes recommendation letters are recommended (especially for technical internships). edinbox.com+1
Use CERN’s online application platform — CERN typically uses an online system (e.g. SmartRecruiters) to collect applications. SmartRecruiters+2edinbox.com+2
Be ready to show motivation and suitability — As the number of applications is high, motivations such as interest in international research, cooperation, learning, adaptability matter. It helps to craft a strong motivation statement. fullyscholarships.com+1
Apply early — Many application deadlines fall in early to mid-year (for long internships perhaps around 11 August 2025). scholarship square+2eqopp.com+2
If selected — prepare for relocation — Because you’ll likely travel to Geneva, Switzerland. CERN might cover certain costs (travel, insurance, accommodation support), but you need to be ready for living in a different country.

2025 Internship Benefits — What You Stand to Gain (Beyond Money)

While stipend and financial benefits are attractive, the real value of a CERN internship is broader. Here are what you could gain:

Real-world experience working on real projects — whether technical (engineering, physics, IT) or administrative.
International exposure — you’ll meet students and professionals from dozens of countries. CERN is a global workplace.
Professional growth and mentorship — learning from experts, senior scientists, engineers, administrators.
Skill development — technical skills, teamwork, communication, cross-cultural collaboration, problem-solving.
Improved career prospects — having CERN on your CV is a strong signal to employers or graduate schools worldwide.
Networking and community — CERN’s community is global; relationships from such an internship may help future collaborations or job opportunities.
Cultural enrichment — living in Switzerland, enjoying a different environment, meeting people from varied backgrounds.

Important Things to Know & Potential Drawbacks

No opportunity is perfect. Here are some realities and caveats to consider — so that you go in with eyes open and well prepared.

Highly competitive: CERN receives many applications from around the world. Not everyone will get in. You need a strong application.
Nationality requirement: Many programs require being a citizen of a CERN Member or Associate Member State. That may limit who can apply. edinbox.com+1
Student status: You must remain enrolled full-time at your university during the internship — so it may not fit if you plan to graduate or change status mid-internship.
Living in Switzerland: While CERN provides stipend and support, the cost of living in Geneva is high. You must budget carefully.
Documentation & commitment: You must prepare transcripts, CV, possibly letters of recommendation. Once selected — you commit to months of working and possibly relocating.
Limited availability: For some internship types (e.g. administrative) — only a small number of slots are offered (e.g. around 50 interns for 2025) fullyscholarships.com+2fullyscholarships.com+2

Tips to Improve Your Chances (for 2025 Applicants)

If you plan to apply — these tips can make your application stronger:

Start early: Gather transcripts, write a good motivation letter, prepare CV, check eligibility before deadlines.
Show genuine interest: Explain clearly why you want to intern at CERN. For technical fields — highlight your academic or project work; for administrative — show interest in working at a global scientific organization.
Be flexible: Applying for multiple internship fields (if your profile matches) can increase chances. But submit separate applications for each. fullyscholarships.com+2fullyscholarships.com+2
Demonstrate language proficiency: Even if formal tests (IELTS/TOEFL) are not required, good English (or French) written and verbal skills will help.
Highlight teamwork, adaptability, and cross-cultural openness: CERN is multicultural — showing you can work well in such an environment is a plus.
Be ready for relocation & living abroad: Make sure you have valid travel documents (passport, visa), plan for accommodation (if not provided), and research cost of living.

Summary & Final Thoughts

The 2025 fully funded CERN internships in Switzerland represent a remarkable opportunity. Whether you study engineering, physics, IT, business, law, languages or social sciences — CERN offers a wide range of internships that can match your background.

If selected, you benefit not only from financial support but also from real-world experience, international exposure, and a boost to your future career or education. Yes — the competition is tough, and eligibility requirements are strict, but with careful preparation, strong motivation, and early application, you could be one of the lucky interns.

If I were you and I dreamed of international exposure, cutting-edge research or global professional development, I’d apply.