Summer Program
February 11 2022A French way towards sustainability in Food Systems, Biotechnologies and Biocosmetics.
Come and expand your professional and academic background with a unique hands-on experience in France’s top higher institution in life science from June 2nd to July 18th, 2025!
This summer 2025, AgroParisTech is offering you a research-oriented summer program lasting seven weeks and 100% in English (including “Survival French” courses) with an exclusive format: courses, workshops, lectures, cultural visits…and internships within our research units in the Paris region (Palaiseau), Champagne region (Reims) or Loire Valley (Orléans)!
This program is entirely designed for international students being at least in their third year of higher education in programs related to AgroParisTech’s activities and having a B2 level in English. So, don’t hesitate to apply even if you don’t speak French: beginner and false beginner French classes will be given during your stay!
It is an opportunity to:
- Get a highly valuable experience in France, with a full immersion within the local education, research & innovation ecosystem and even learn some French.
- Acquire new knowledge about life and environmental sciences and technologies in France and in Europe.
- Explore the areas of Sustainable Food Systems, Biocosmetics and Biotechnologies with specialized professors and researchers from the best French higher education institution on these subjects, on cutting-edge, high-tech campuses.
- Discover French methods of learning and experimenting in France’s best research units in the fields of agronomy, food, biotechnology, bio-cosmetics as well as related economics and politics, etc.
- Get a taste of French culture including the French gastronomy, world’s renowned UNESCO Cultural Heritage.
- Develop intercultural and other soft skills.
- Meet other students and professors to expand your professional network.
- Open up new life perspectives for yourself and maybe even pursue your studies at AgroParisTech!
What are you waiting for to sign up?
The Program
Lasting seven weeks, the program will start with a full week on our main campus in Palaiseau, located at the heart of the Plateau de Saclay, which is also called the “French Silicon Valley” (South of Paris). There, you will have the opportunity to discover the three main focus areas of Sustainable Food Systems, Biocosmetics and Biotechnologies through conferences, workshops, serious games, thematic visits as well as exchanges with AgroParisTech PhD students and researchers to give you a better idea of what research is all about here.
You’ll also get the chance to visit the French capital with an iconic cruise on the river Seine, a trip to the world’s largest marketplace for agricultural goods in Rungis and/or an outing to AgroParisTech’s experimental farm.
Starting from the second week, you’ll join one of AgroParisTech’s laboratories as an intern for 5 weeks depending on your interests:
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Grignon Experimental Farm (Grignon)
Agricultural innovation plays an important role in the activities conducted on this site, which is home to a number of experiments, ranging from zootechnical research to agronomical experiments and precision agriculture trials.
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Quantitative Genetics and Evolution (Gif-sur-Yvette)
The Quantitative Genetics and Evolution research unit is a member of the Institut “Diversité, Écologie et Évolution du Vivant” (IDEEV) hosting scientists from INRAE, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS and AgroParisTech.
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Cosmetology Research Chair (Orléans)
The AgroParisTech Cosmetology Research Chair aims at strengthening local research and education in cosmetology, fostering growth in the cosmetics industry by producing world-class skills and expertise, speeding up innovation transfer between the Chair and the private sector, and positioning the Orléans region as a global leader in cosmetics.
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PSAE - Paris-Saclay Applied Economics (Palaiseau)
Paris-Saclay Applied Economics is a joint research unit of France’s National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE), Université Paris-Saclay and AgroParisTech. The research conducted within the research unit aims to evaluate the economic efficiency of public policies related to agriculture, food, and the environment using theoretical analyses and quantitative methods, such as econometrics, experimental economics, or market equilibrium modelling.
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SADAPT -Sciences for the Action and Development – Activities, Products, Territories - Urban Agricultures (Palaiseau)
The SADAPT “Urban Agricultures” team is interdisciplinary and inter-institutional and focuses on research for action on urban agricultures at French, European and international level. Its aim is to quantify, qualify and rank the functions of urban agricultures in all their diversity, and to characterize the food systems into which they fit.
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CoPack Chair Paris-Saclay Food and Bioproduct Engineering (Palaiseau)
CoPack Chair is a partnership chair supported by the AgroParisTech Foundation developping projects that provide innovative solutions while addressing environmental concerns.
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Industrial Agro-Biotechnologies URD (Reims)
The Industrial Agro-Biotechnologies research unit is dedicated to the creation of innovations and their transfer to industrialization. Located in the European Center for Biotechnology and Bioeconomy (CEBB) at the heart of the Pomacle-Bazancourt biorefinery, it focusses on the valorization of biomass through the combination of white Biotechnologies, Green Chemistry and Process Engineering.
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Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin for Plant Sciences (Versailles)
The “Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin” is a joint INRAE and AgroParisTech research unit within the Université Paris-Saclay. It is one of the largest Plant Science research centers in Europe and is renowned for its unique combination of experimental resources and pluridisciplinary expertise in Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics.
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Sayfood -Paris-Saclay Food and Bioproduct Engineering (Palaiseau)
SayFood is a research unit recently created by INRAE and AgroParisTech. Its mission is to acquire new scientific knowledge and propose new approaches in product and process engineering, applied to bioresources.
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MoSAR - Systemic Modelling applied to Ruminants (Palaiseau)
MoSAR is a mixed research unit (UMR) between INRAE and AgroParisTech with a long-standing expertise in ruminant nutritional physiology and feed evaluation.
To conclude the program, oral presentations of the results by each student will give rise to a mini-symposium, a feedback session and a final farewell event.
Admission Criteria
- Excellent Bachelor’s (from 3rd year Undergraduate) & Master’s students enrolled in scientific and technological courses related to life and environmental sciences.
- Advanced English (B2 certified) or native speaker. French beginner classes are offered.
How Do I Apply?
There are a limited number of places available on the program and in our research units, so make sure to highlight your motivations, relevant background and ambitions if you want your application to be accepted!
Please register on our application platform and fill in the Summer Program application form and upload the required documents by March 20, 2025 at 23:59 (Paris time).
If you are a student from a partner university, please ask the International Relations Office of your university to contact us.
If you wish to benefit from the preferential rate and your university is not partnered with us, please contact the International Relations Office of your university so we can explore possible cooperation opportunities between our two institutions.
After the deadline, applications will be carefully reviewed by AgroParisTech’s European and International Relations Office and research units. You can expect an answer in early April.
Welcome Services
INCLUDED
- Accommodation (Paris/Palaiseau, Orléans, Reims)
- Transport to and from Orléans and Reims at the beginning and end of the internship
- Local transportation
- Above-mentioned social and cultural activities
- Laboratory internship, including mentoring by top-level professors and researchers
- Courses, workshops and conferences, including “Survival French” classes
- Cultural visits included in the program
- Local support by AgroParisTech’s European and International Relations Office
NOT INCLUDED
- Transportation to and from your home destination
- Transportation to and from your arrival and departure location (airport, railway station…)
- Daily living expenses (e.g. meals), except where indicated
- Travel, health and liability insurance and administrative costs (passport, visa etc.)
- Extra social and cultural activities that are not mentioned in the program
Fees
- Regular fees: 4,000€
- Partner universities fees: 3,200 €
Students enrolled at one of AgroParisTech’s partner universities benefit from a preferential rate with a discount of 800 €.
If you wish to benefit from the preferential rate and your university is not partnered with us, please contact the International Relations Office of your university so we can explore possible cooperation opportunities between our two institutions.
Terms and Conditions / Cancellation
AgroParisTech reserves the right to make changes to the programs, course contents, day trips or social events due to unforseen circumstances. Minor alterations to our programs will not result in refunds.
Do not miss this great opportunity to broaden your international experience within a vibrant international scientific community!