US State Department: Research Abroad at CERN

CERN is the largest particle physics laboratory in the world and is located just outside of Geneva, Switzerland. This winter, the U.S. State Department, through the Permanent Mission in Geneva, will fund a Research Abroad at CERN experience for physics or engineering undergraduate students from Ukraine or other current areas of conflict.

Selected applicants will travel to CERN in Winter 2025 to gain valuable first-hand experience by working on current projects with world-renowned physicists at the forefront of research in their field. Participants will join an active research group and engage in ongoing work involving a wide variety of high-energy topics including Higgs boson analysis, new physics searches, trigger studies, detector development and upgrades, and much more!

ELIGIBILITY

An application is required to be considered for this opportunity. Applicants must be an undergraduate student from Ukraine or other current area of conflict. We seek students of at least 2nd-year standing, with a preference for those interested in applying for postgraduate studies in the U.S. for Fall 2025.

Applications from women, persons of color, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged. Being a physics major is not required, but applicants should have a career interest in physics. Students interested in applying will be required to submit one letter of recommendation along with their application. No academic credit is granted as part of this program. If a student participates during the regular academic year, they should consult with their home institution regarding any impacts on academic progress and enrollment.

University of Michigan students are eligible to apply for this program.

FUNDING

This one-semester program is funded by the United States State Department through the US Mission in Geneva, Switzerland. Participating students will receive a stipend of $5,000 and a $5,000 per diem to be used towards their living expenses while in Switzerland. Round trip travel to Geneva is also covered. There are no program fees.

DATES

The program will run from January 20, 2025, to April 25, 2025.