A unique fully funded travel and training opportunity is now open for 2026, offering international applicants the chance to spend two months in Germany with all major expenses covered. This program includes free accommodation, financial support, and partial travel reimbursement, allowing students from around the world to gain hands-on experience in one of Europe’s leading scientific research environments. Below is a complete guide to eligibility, benefits, documents required, and how to apply.
Summary of the Opportunity
- Host Country: Germany
- Host Cities: Hamburg or Zeuthen (near Berlin)
- Funding Organization: DESY (Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron)
- Program Duration: 8 weeks (July 21 – September 10, 2026)
- Eligibility: All nationalities
- Funding: Accommodation, living expenses, invitation letter, and partial travel support
- Deadline: January 31, 2026
Overview of the Fully Funded Travel and Training Program in Germany
The DESY Summer Program 2026 is one of the top fully funded opportunities in Europe for international undergraduate and graduate students seeking advanced scientific and technical experience. This eight-week training program is hosted by DESY, a world-renowned research center specializing in physics, particle acceleration, engineering, and computing.
Participants work alongside leading researchers using cutting-edge facilities in Hamburg or Zeuthen. The program does not require IELTS, has no application fee, and accepts up to 100 students each year from various academic backgrounds. It is designed to help students build research skills, gain international exposure, and explore career opportunities in world-class laboratories.
With full funding for accommodation and living expenses, plus partial travel support, DESY offers one of the most attractive fully funded study and travel programs in Germany for 2026.
Program Location
Country: Germany
Cities: Hamburg or Zeuthen (near Berlin)
Funding Organization
DESY – Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron
Program Duration
The training lasts 8 weeks, from July 21 to September 10, 2026.
Eligible Countries
This opportunity is open to applicants from all countries worldwide.
Financial Coverage
The DESY 2026 fully funded program provides the following support:
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Official invitation letter
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Free accommodation
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Financial support to cover living expenses
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Partial reimbursement of travel costs
Required Documents
Applicants must prepare and upload the following:
- Curriculum Vitae
- Bachelor’s degree certificate
- Academic transcript or grade report
- Two letters of recommendation
Applicants from outside the EU must also include the following in one PDF file to obtain a work permit:
- Copy of passport
- Certificate of Enrollment: issued by the university, covering the entire program duration (early July to mid-September 2026)
- Declaration of Enrollment: signed and stamped by the applicant’s university, using the official form provided by the program
How to Apply
To submit your application, follow these steps:
- Access the official online application portal.
- Complete all required fields and upload the necessary documents.
- Submit your application through the official link provided.
Admission Requirements
To be eligible for the DESY Summer 2026 Program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be in the final year of a Bachelor’s program or in the first year of a Master’s program by summer 2026
- Have completed at least three years of study in physics or a related field
- Students who already hold a master’s degree, or will obtain one by summer 2026, are not eligible
- Applicants who have participated in a previous DESY summer program are not allowed to re-apply
Available Fields of Study
The 2026 DESY program accepts applications in the following areas:
- Photonics
- Elementary particle physics and accelerators
- Astroparticle physics
Application Deadline
The final date to apply is January 31, 2026.
