International students are invited to apply for the Merck Innovation Cup Summer Camp in Germany. Merck is a globally recognized science and technology company with operations in healthcare, life sciences, and electronics. The company focuses on developing innovative solutions for scientific challenges, advancing drug discovery, and addressing complex diseases.
The Merck Innovation Cup is a fully funded one-week summer camp, and there is no participation fee. Merck covers travel, accommodation, meals, and program-related expenses for selected participants. Winning teams also receive cash prizes based on the final evaluation.
During this summer program, participants work in small international teams to develop innovative solutions addressing real-world scientific or business challenges. With guidance from Merck experts, participants explore areas such as Oncology, Neuroscience & Immunology, Drug Discovery, Fertility, Synthetic Biology, Smart Manufacturing, and Advanced Electronic Materials. The program provides hands-on exposure to research, innovation, and industry-driven problem solving within a global pharmaceutical and technology environment.
The Innovation Cup also features lectures, expert talks, and presentations on the pharmaceutical, chemical, and technology sectors. Former Innovation Cup participants share their experiences and career journeys, offering valuable insight into the program’s long-term impact. The summer camp concludes with team presentations, helping participants understand how ideas move from concept to practical application. Overall, the program offers a strong opportunity for global networking, professional growth, and industry exposure.
Merck Innovation Cup Summer Camp in Germany 2026:
Host Country:
- Germany
Host organization:
- MERCK
Program Location:
-
Darmstadt, Hesse, Germany (near Frankfurt)
Program Dates:
- August 8 – August 14, 2026.
Benefits of Merck Innovation Cup Summer Camp in Germany:
- Fully funded participation
- Roundtrip travel costs covered by Merck
- Accommodation provided for the full program duration
- Meals covered during the summer camp
- Cash prizes for winning teams:
- €20,000 (Winning team – shared)
- €5,000 (Runner-up team – shared)
- €3,000 (Third place – shared)
- One-week on-site summer camp
- Team-based innovation challenge
- Coaching and guidance from Merck professionals
- Participation in presentations and final jury evaluation
Eligibility Criteria for Merck Innovation Cup Summer Camp 2026:
- Applicants must be postgraduate students from around the world.
- PhD students in the following fields are eligible:
Biology, Medicine, Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Pharmacy, Physics, Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, Informatics, and related fields. - Postdoctoral researchers are eligible to apply.
- Advanced MBA students or recent MBA graduates with:
- An interest in the pharmaceutical or chemical industry
- A background in life sciences are eligible.
How to apply for Merck Innovation Cup Summer Camp in Germany 2026:
- First read the description of the projects mentioned below each field.
- Select the field of your interest.
- Click “Apply now”.
- Upload your CV and cover letter in the first application.
- Choose your team.
- Send your application through the webpage of Merck (CV and motivation letter).
- You will receive a notification about the next steps.
- In the second application, submit your idea.
- You will then get selected in a team.
Program Deadline:
- The last date to apply is January 31, 2026.
