The 2025 CERN Administrative Student Programme.   Application Deadline: 11 August 2025 (23:59 CET) Apply Now

Introduction
The CERN Administrative Student Programme offers an extraordinary opportunity for full-time undergraduate (Bachelor’s) or Master’s students specializing in administrative disciplines to engage in a fully funded internship at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, located in Geneva, Switzerland. Spanning 2 to 12 months (with possible extension to 14 months in special cases), the programme places students in a uniquely international environment—working alongside seasoned professionals while contributing to critical administrative operations at one of the world’s most prestigious research institutions (SmartRecruiters).

Overview: What It Is and Why It Matters

CERN is renowned globally for its groundbreaking contributions to fundamental physics and advanced engineering. While it’s best known for scientific discovery, CERN also operates a sophisticated administrative enterprise that supports its vast educational, scientific, and technical ambitions. The Administrative Student Programme is specifically designed to nurture administrative talent: translators, HR specialists, finance officers, legal aides, librarians, communications professionals, auditors, and more—all set amid CERN’s dynamic, multicultural context (SmartRecruiters, Scholarships Corner).

Over 50 interns are selected annually to join the administrative cohort, working on real-world projects that help maintain CERN’s operational excellence. You will gain insight into international organizational practices, build professional networks, and develop skills highly transferable to global careers in administration or public service (LinkedIn, Scholarships Corner).

Who Can Apply? Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the Administrative Student Programme, candidates must meet all the following requirements:

• Citizenship: Be a national of a CERN Member or Associate Member State (SmartRecruiters).
• Academic Status: Be enrolled as a full-time student in an undergraduate (Bachelor’s or early Master’s) administrative program.
• Academic Progress: Have completed at least 18 months (three semesters) of undergraduate study by the next selection round in November 2025 (Opportunities Corners, SmartRecruiters).
• Availability: Commit to a minimum of 2 months, up to a maximum of 12 months (possible 14‑month extension in select cases) (Scholarships Corner).
• Language: Proficiency in English and/or French.
• Field of Study: Be undertaking study in an administrative field, such as translation, HR, advanced secretarial work, business administration, logistics, law, finance, accounting, library & information science, engineering management, science communication, education, audiovisual, communications & PR, psychology, audit, among others. STEM and technical fields do not qualify—you should instead consider CERN’s Technical Student Programme (Opportunities Corners, SmartRecruiters).

Financial Benefits and Perks

This is a fully funded internship, designed to remove financial barriers for participants:

• Monthly stipend: Approximately 3,452 CHF (net of tax) to cover living expenses in Geneva (Scholarships Corner, SmartRecruiters).
• Travel allowance: Reimbursement of economy‑class airfare to/from the host country.
• Family supplement: Additional grant if the intern is married and/or has dependent children.
• Health insurance: Comprehensive CERN medical plan; the contribution is automatically deducted from the stipend.
• Paid leave: 2.5 days per month of paid holiday (Opportunities Corners, Scholarships Corner, SmartRecruiters).

These benefits ensure that interns can focus fully on their responsibilities at CERN without undue financial stress.

Programme Structure & Areas of Engagement

Interns are contracted to CERN for the duration of their placement. Typical responsibilities and learning areas include:

Primary Administrative Fields

• Translation services (multilingual environment at CERN)
• Human Resources: recruitment support, employee onboarding, HR policy
• Advanced secretarial and executive support: coordinating meetings, documentation, scheduling
• Business administration: project tracking, data analysis, reporting
• Logistics and event coordination
• Legal services and compliance support
• Finance and accounting tasks
• Library and information science: archiving, digital cataloguing, information retrieval
• Engineering management support (administrative side)
• Science communication and education: outreach, media coordination
• Audiovisual support and PR tasks
• Psychology, audit, and related governance functions (Opportunities Circle, Scholarships Corner).

Work Environment

Interns join CERN departments in a multicultural and multilingual setting, collaborating with both administrative managers and scientific staff. Expect to accompany professionals during project execution, meetings, internal communications, external events, and documentation processes. CERN supports learning with opportunities to attend workshops, networking events, and even site visits to world-class research facilities.

Internship Duration

Assignments range from 2 to 12 months. A 14‑month extension may be granted but is relatively rare and offered only under special academic circumstances (SmartRecruiters, LinkedIn).

Application Timeline & Review Process

• Application deadline: 11 August 2025, by 23:59 CET (SmartRecruiters).
• Selection process:
  • Applications reviewed during September to November 2025 by CERN’s internal panel, potentially in coordination with national experts.
  • Shortlisted candidates may receive invitations for telephone or video interviews, or to provide additional documentation.
  • Final decisions and offers issued by end of November 2025 (SmartRecruiters, Scholarships Corner).
• Status communication: Rejected applicants typically receive email notifications roughly 1–2 weeks after decisions are made. According to reports from past applicants, successful candidates hear earlier; rejections may follow thereafter (Reddit).

Required Application Materials & Tips

Documents to Prepare

• PDF CV in English or French
• Academic transcript (most recent, showing completed coursework)
• Reference letter from a university professor (one required; a second letter recommended if you have prior internship experience) (Scholarships Corner).

Online Application Tips

• Submit via CERN’s official interface: using LinkedIn, Smartprofile, Indeed, or direct resume upload.
• No option to save partially completed forms—prepare your answers (education, motivation, experience) in advance (e.g., Notepad or Word) before beginning the online form (Scholarships Corner).
• Tailor your motivation statement to highlight alignment with CERN’s values: collaboration, innovation, diversity, and scientific excellence.
• For multi-country applications (technical + administrative), each role needs its own separate application.

Timing Advice

Given that the application window is open well before the deadline, apply as early as possible—applications are processed chronologically, and early submission can improve your visibility to recruiters (LinkedIn, Opportunities Corners).

What to Expect at CERN: Daily Life and Professional Growth

Work Experience

You will be embedded in a department relevant to your field, working under a supervisor who will assign meaningful tasks, such as drafting correspondence, coordinating meetings, compiling reports, supporting HR events, translating documents into multiple languages, liaising with external collaborators, or assisting finance/audit functions.

Professional Development

• Frequent opportunities to attend lectures, seminars, and training workshops organized by CERN.
• Engage in networking events, both social and professional.
• Many interns participate in on-site visits to CERN infrastructure, including the LHC and associated experiments.

Cultural and Daily Life

• Geneva offers a cosmopolitan environment rich in culture, languages (French, English, German), and international professionals.
• Interns receive a stipend sufficient for shared accommodation, local transport, and basic living costs. Leisure and cultural activities are accessible but may require planning within a budget.
• International exposure: working and interacting with peers from across the world, enhancing global perspectives and intercultural skills.

Post‑Internship Benefits

Completing this internship offers numerous long-term advantages:

• Resume booster: CERN is globally respected. Experience here signals high competence, adaptability, and international awareness to potential employers or graduate programmes.
• Professional references: Supervisors and staff at CERN can provide valuable recommendations for future applications.
• Global network: Connect with interns, professionals, and teams across scientific and administrative departments.
• Skill development: Practical exposure in administration, cross-functional collaboration, multilingual communication, and project management.
• Future opportunities: Many interns go on to pursue careers in international organizations, governmental agencies, NGOs, or institutions that value administrative excellence and intercultural capabilities.

Application Preparation Checklist

Conclusion

The CERN Administrative Student Programme is a prestigious, fully funded internship opportunity tailored for ambitious, administration-focused university students. It provides not only financial support but also immersion in a high-profile, multicultural work environment where real-world administrative skills are nurtured. Equipped with practical experience, professional mentorship, and exposure to global operations at the heart of scientific exploration, interns leave well-prepared for impactful careers in international administration.

By following the outlined steps and preparing carefully—especially your supporting documents and motivational narrative—you become a competitive candidate in a meticulous selection process. Remember: the deadline is 11 August 2025 (23:59 CET), so don’t wait until the last moment.