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The JINR START Winter Programme 2027 is funded. The Joint Institute for Nuclear Research in Dubna, Russia, gives you free hostel accommodation, a daily allowance of 2,000 rubles, and covers your travel, visa, and insurance costs, for 6 to 8 weeks of hands-on research with a JINR scientist. It is open to students from every country.
It is for students in science, engineering, and IT, from the fourth year of a bachelor’s degree up to the first year of a PhD, under the age of 30. There is no application fee.
Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Host country | Russia (Dubna) |
| Host | Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR) |
| Length | 6 to 8 weeks, between 14 February and 26 June 2027 |
| Funding | Free hostel, 2,000 rubles a day, travel, visa, and insurance costs covered |
| Who can apply | 4th-year undergraduates to 1st-year PhD students, under 30, in JINR research fields |
| Application fee | None |
| Deadline | 16 October 2026. See the Deadline section. |
What is the START programme?
START, which stands for STudent Advanced Research Training, used to be called the JINR Summer Student Programme. It places students in JINR laboratories to work on real research projects under a JINR expert. Since 2014 it has hosted more than 560 students from 35 countries.
Many students use it to find a supervisor for their thesis, and JINR uses it to find young talent it may later hire.
What the programme covers
- Free accommodation in the JINR hostel
- A daily allowance of 2,000 rubles
- Travel to Dubna. For students outside Russia and Belarus, JINR books your tickets.
- Visa costs, reimbursed with your receipt
- Insurance
Fields you can work in
- Physics, including nuclear and particle physics
- Engineering
- IT and computing
- Other fields that match JINR’s current research topics
Who can apply
- Students from any country
- 4th or 5th-year undergraduates, master’s students, or first-year PhD students
- Under 30 years old
- Your field must match one of JINR’s research topics
- You have not taken part in START or the JINR Summer Student Programme before
Is there an age limit?
Yes. You must be under 30. Within that, your study level and your fit with a project matter most.
Required documents
- Your graduation certificate
- Your academic transcript and proof of enrolment
- An up-to-date CV
- A recommendation letter
- A motivation letter
How to write your motivation letter
Pick a project from the session list first, then write to that project. Say what you already know, what skills you want to learn, and how the work connects to your future thesis or career. Project supervisors read these letters, so be specific.
How to apply, step by step
- Register on the START website using the +Student button and upload your documents.
- Open the Winter Session 2027 page and read the project list.
- Choose a project and click Apply. You do not need to wait for your registration to be approved.
- Watch your email for the preselection results.
Selection process
Project supervisors review applications and choose who to invite. Selection closes on 28 October 2026, and the final list of participants is published on 11 December 2026.
Deadline
16 October 2026, 5:59 PM.
This one is close. Register and choose your project now. Confirm the deadline on the official START session page before you submit.
Have a question?
Drop your question in the comments and we will help. Tell us your country and your field and we will point you in the right direction.
Related reading
More opportunities to explore on the site:
- OIST Research Internship Spring 2027
- EPFL Life Sciences Summer Research Program 2027
- USTC Winter Camp 2027
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