RCL Announces the First Stage of the Student Summer Internship Competition
The Research Council of Lithuania (RCL) is launching its annual Student Summer Scientific Internship Competition and announces the opening of its first stage. Research and higher education institutions, in collaboration with internship supervisors, are invited to propose internship topics for prospective participants.
Internship topics selected by RCL from various fields will be available for students to choose from in the next stage of the competition, allowing them to undertake scientific internships during the summer of 2025. Proposals for internship topics can be submitted to RCL until February 28, 2025.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the RCL Student Summer Scientific Internship Program, “A Summer of Science with RCL”. As the longest-running initiative for students, the program provides opportunities to engage in scientific and artistic research in practice. It enables students to acquire new knowledge, enhance analytical and research skills, develop academic writing and presentation abilities, and gain exposure to Lithuania’s scientific community and research infrastructure. Additionally, it fosters the development of workplace social skills.
Since 2005, RCL has supported approximately 3,000 students through this summer internship program.
How the “A Summer of Science with RCL” Competition Works
“A Summer of Science with RCL” will take place from July to August 2025. Participating students will receive a €2,000 stipend (€1,000 per month). This year, RCL plans to allocate €900,000 for the program, a decrease from €1.1 million in 2024.
The competition consists of three stages:
Stage I: Submission and Selection of Topics
In this stage, research and higher education institutions are invited to propose internship topics to RCL. These submissions will be evaluated based on their innovation, relevance, feasibility, and justification.
Since last year, PhD students have also been eligible to serve as internship supervisors, and RCL encourages early-career researchers to actively participate in this role. In 2024, 28 PhD students had the opportunity to supervise scientific and artistic research projects as part of the program.
Stage II: Call for Students to Apply for Internship Positions
After selecting the best topics from the first stage, RCL will publish the list and invite students to choose their preferred internship positions and supervisors.
The competition is open to undergraduate, master’s, and integrated study program students, except for:
- Final-year students,
- Those who received funding from this program in 2022 or later,
- PhD candidates or individuals who have already obtained a doctoral degree.
To be eligible, students must have a weighted average grade of at least 8.0 (out of 10) for all courses in their most recent semester.
International students will also be invited to participate in internships in Lithuania, with additional funding available for accommodation if needed.
Stage III: Student Selection
In the final stage, internship supervisors will evaluate students who applied for their proposed positions based on established selection criteria. The selected students will be accepted as interns, giving them the opportunity to develop their ideas and conduct scientific or artistic research during the summer.
The Value of the Internship for Students: Skills, Experience, and Progress
Research conducted during previous RCL Student Summer Internships has spanned a wide range of fields, from molecular biology to artificial intelligence and social sciences. Participants have explored biological processes, examined the application of AI in education, and analyzed social issues such as gender equality and discrimination. These studies not only enriched participants’ academic knowledge but also provided practical skills that proved valuable for their future scientific careers and contributed to the advancement of science in Lithuania.
Student feedback and experience play a crucial role in the success of this RCL initiative. Participants from previous years emphasize that the summer internship not only helped them develop valuable scientific skills but also provided opportunities for international collaboration and cultural exchange. The impact and significance of this initiative are further highlighted in a special video, where students share their insights and success stories.
A survey conducted by RCL last year among internship participants revealed overwhelmingly positive feedback:
- 99% of respondents evaluated their experience positively.
- 75.7% rated the quality of organization as "very good," while 23% rated it "good."
- 93.9% felt the internship provided meaningful opportunities to achieve their goals.
- 83.8% rated interactions with supervisors as "very good," and 12.8% as "good."
- 81.8% stated that the internship content fully met their expectations, and the skills they gained were highly beneficial for both academic and professional development.
Additionally, students emphasized that the internship allowed them to apply theoretical knowledge in practice, gain international collaboration experience, and develop a deeper understanding of the scientific research process.
Find the call for applications here.
Last updated: 29-01-2025
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