JINR START Winter Internship Programme 2026: Fully Funded Research

The JINR START Winter Internship Programme 2026 offers a unique, fully funded research internship at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR) in Dubna, Russia. Selected students work on advanced science and engineering projects under the guidance of experienced JINR experts. This winter session (Feb–June 2026) spans about 6–8 weeks on site, giving interns hands-on lab experience and a taste of real-world research. Participants from around the world in STEM fields can gain mentorship and global exposure. With travel, visa, housing, and a daily stipend covered by JINR, this program is an exciting career-building opportunity for young scientists.

Internship Overview

The JINR START Winter Internship Programme (Student Advanced Research Training) is a seasonal research placement that integrates students into JINR’s laboratories. During the Winter Session 2026, selected interns will be invited to spend 6–8 weeks in Dubna, working on advanced-level research projects. The overall program period runs from 15 February to 27 June 2026, but each participant’s stay is shorter, focused on a specific project. This fully funded program is open to Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD students in science, engineering, and IT fields around the world. By solving real scientific and engineering challenges at JINR, interns build practical skills and contribute to cutting-edge experiments.

About the Host Organization

JINR (Joint Institute for Nuclear Research) is an international nuclear science center in Dubna, Russia. Founded in 1956, it now employs around 5,500 staff members (including ~1,200 researchers) from 18 countries. The institute comprises seven specialized laboratories covering areas like theoretical and high-energy physics, heavy-ion and condensed matter physics, neutron physics, and information technology. JINR provides world-class research facilities (particle accelerators, reactors, etc.) and fosters international collaboration. The START programmes are run by JINR’s University Centre, which organizes student training and internships. Participating in this environment lets interns learn from leading scientists and become part of a global research community.

Benefits of the JINR START Winter Internship

• Fully funded travel: Round-trip airfare to Dubna is reimbursed by JINR.
• Visa and insurance: Costs for Russian visa and medical insurance are covered.
• Accommodation: Free housing in Dubna is provided for the entire internship period.
• Stipend: A daily allowance of ~2,000 Russian rubles is paid to cover meals and personal expenses.
• Research experience: Interns gain hands-on skills in nuclear and computational labs, working directly with JINR scientists and engineers.
• Mentorship and networking: Each student is guided by an expert mentor and joins an international cohort of peers, building valuable professional connections.

These benefits let you focus on learning: JINR covers all major expenses so you can dive into the science.

Eligibility Criteria

• Education level: Open to students from their 3rd year of undergraduate studies up to the 1st year of PhD programs. This includes third-/fourth-year Bachelor’s students, Master’s students, and first-year postgraduate students.
• Field of study: Majoring in science, engineering, or information technology. Your academic background should align with one of JINR’s research fields (e.g. physics, computer science, materials science).
• Nationality: The program is international – students of any country may apply.
• Age/Status: Applicants should be under about 30 years old and hold current student status (not yet graduated).
• Other: Candidates must not have previously participated in a JINR START (summer or winter) program.
• Language: All application materials must be submitted in English or Russian (no IELTS or TOEFL is required, but English proficiency helps during the program).

Before applying, double-check that your study field matches one of JINR’s scientific areas and that you can provide any needed documents (transcripts, enrollment certificate, CV, etc.).

Application Process (Step-by-Step)

1. Check requirements: Verify that you meet the eligibility criteria (education level, field, nationality) and prepare your documents (ID/passport, academic transcript, CV or resume, etc.).
2. Register online: Visit the official START portal (start.jinr.ru) and create a new Student account. Fill in all requested personal and educational information, and upload your documents in English or Russian.
3. Select fields: During registration, choose up to three scientific fields that match your interests (these must correspond to JINR’s research areas).
4. Await approval: Submit the registration. The START team will review your information. You will receive an email when your account is activated (along with login credentials).
5. Apply for Winter Session: Log in as a Student and find “Winter Session 2026” in the Sessions list. Click APPLY and complete the online application form.
6. Selection: After applying, wait for the results. The final selection list is usually announced in late December 2025. Selected applicants are notified by email. Check your inbox (and spam folder) regularly for updates.

Follow each step carefully to ensure your application is valid and complete. Missing information or late submission can disqualify your application.

Application Deadline

Applicants must submit their completed application by 30 October 2025, 04:00 PM (Moscow time). This deadline is strictly enforced, so plan ahead to gather and upload everything on time.

Conclusion

The JINR START Winter Internship Programme 2026 is a rare opportunity to jumpstart your research career at a world-renowned institute. Fully funded travel, living expenses, and mentorship mean you can focus entirely on learning and discovery. If you’re a motivated STEM student eager for an international research experience, this internship could be transformative. Don’t miss out – prepare your application materials, meet the deadline, and tell your friends about it. Good luck!

FAQs

Q: What is the JINR START Winter Programme 2026?
A: A fully funded research internship at JINR in Dubna (Feb–June 2026) for STEM students to work on advanced projects under expert guidance.

Q: Who is eligible to apply for the JINR Winter Programme?
A: STEM undergraduates (3rd year+), Master’s and 1st-year PhD students from any country may apply, provided they have not participated in START before.

Q: What are the benefits of the JINR internship?
A: All travel, visa, insurance, and accommodation costs are covered. Participants also receive a daily stipend (~2000 RUB) and work closely with JINR mentors.

Q: How long is the JINR Winter Programme?
A: Each participant stays about 6–8 weeks in Dubna. The session runs from 15 Feb to 27 Jun 2026, but individual placements are shorter.

Q: How do I apply for the JINR START Winter Programme?
A: Register on the official JINR START website, fill out your profile, upload transcripts and documents, and submit an application for the Winter Session before the deadline.