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IPP Summer Student Fellowship Program: Undergraduate Research Experience at CERN & in Canada

The 2024 application window is now closed.   

We are anticipating a completely in-person program this year, as similar to pre-covid as possible. Of course, we are keeping in mind the possibility that the situation may change and will make adjustments as needed.

CERN, the European Laboratory for Particle Physics, is the home of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and the birthplace of the World Wide Web.

The Institute of Particle Physics supports Canadian undergraduate students participating in the CERN summer student program. To get some idea of what our student are doing during their time at CERN have a look at our list of past recipients with links to their research reports. (Note that in 2020 the program operated with students working with Canadian particle physics researchers online.)

Students selected for the program will spend from late June to the end of August working with active research groups at CERN, one of the world’s premier international laboratories. They will also attend attend a series of lectures remotely, specially prepared for them by CERN-based researchers. Prior to the CERN component of the program, students will work on a subatomic physics project under a Canadian supervisor in May and June so that they will spend a minimum of 15 weeks on research over the course of the summer. The May–June period is normally spent in Canada during which time students are supported by the supervisor and an NSERC USRA position or a summer studentship at TRIUMF (see below). IPP will assist students to find a suitable project/supervisor. Students are encouraged to learn about some of the possible projects by visiting the IPP Projects pages for projects collecting data and  projects currently under construction.

A good idea of the kinds of possible research projects students may be involved in can be gained from viewing student research papers from previous years.

Eligibility

The program is open to Canadian Citizens and permanent residents. At the time of application students must be registered in an undergraduate program at a Canadian university, leading to a Bachelor of Science or Engineering degree. They should be within two years of graduation by the beginning of the summer they are applying to spend in the program. They must be majoring in physics, engineering, or computer science. Students who have previously spent a summer at CERN (whether part of this program or not) are not eligible.

Successful applicants are expected to also hold either an NSERC USRA or TRIUMF summer student position.  Although the program is administered and partially funded by the Institute of Particle Physics, the IPP does not have NSERC USRA positions to award and does not administer the TRIUMF positions. Students are expected to pursue these options by also applying for an NSERC USRA position at a Canadian university or directly to TRIUMF. Note that the deadlines at the host university or TRIUMF may be earlier.

Applications

To apply for the IPP Summer Student Fellowship:

Please email, as a single attachment in PDF format, the following material to admin@ipp.ca:

Also arrange for one or two letters of recommendation to be emailed by the letter writers directly to admin@ipp.ca.

(Note: Do not send these to CERN, but directly to the IPP.)

Deadline

The 2024 program is currently closed for applications.  

We will notify successful applicants before the end of January in time for them to take action on possible NSERC USRA or TRIUMF summer student position offers.

Questions

Questions should be directed via e-mail to admin@ipp.ca.

Further Information

Partners

Travel and stipend components of this program are generously supported by the following partners: