How to Apply for the AScI International Summer Research Programme

Note: The info below was updated for the 2025 call on 28.11.2024 (furhter updates may be made before the positions open)

The following must be combined into a single pdf in the given order. Only pdf files are accepted.

1. Motivation letter: The motivation letter is an important part of the application.    
   • Explain why are you interested in an Aalto Science Institute summer research position, what are your personal interests in terms of research, and why you selected the project(s) you did and how your skills and interests match the project(s). 
   • Also indicate any special circumstances with regards to visit dates.
   • Mention your future study/research plans.
   • Length: 1 page, or up to 2 pages if you have a number of technical things to discuss regarding the projects.
2. CV: A summary of your academic and work history with contact details.
3. Official* transcript of the university studies that you have completed.
   • * by "official" transcript we mean a transcript that clearly has been issued by your university or printed from a university webpage. Further verification may be required from shortlisted candidates.
   • If the transcript is in a language other than English, a (unofficial) translation of the transcript must be submitted as part of the single combined pdf. 
   • In addition, please include a list of any courses that you are currently taking, or have recently completed, and that do not apear on your transcript. 
   • Please make sure the grading scale is explained. If it is not automatically on the transcript you can attach an extra page giving the details. We get applications from over 120 countries, so don't expect us to understand your system. Do not covert you grades to the Finnish 1-5 scale. 
4. A letter of recommendation from a professor or supervisor.
   • The recommendation letter should be written by a university professor or lecturer, or a person who has supervised you in either an academic or employment capacity.
   • The letter should be included in the application file and uploaded by the candidate.
     • If the referee is uncomfortable with this please explain that under Finnish privacy rules, candidates can always request to see their full application file (which includes recommendation letters), and so letter are never really private.  Please see Aalto University's Privacy Notice to Employee Candidates.
     • If your referee is still uncomfortable giving you the letter directly then please request them to mail it as a pdf attachment to [email protected] with subject line "last name of applicant-first name of applicant-LOR". It must be received by the application deadline. You should write a brief statement indicating that your referee will send the letter to AScI directly and include this statement in your submission file in place of the actual referee letter.
     • The recommendation letter should clearly indicate the referee's name, email and phone, department and university.
   • AScI will not contact or ask for the letter of recommendation from the referee. Only in the case that the applicant is shortlisted by the supervising research group, the referee could be contacted after the deadline of the call.
   • Applications without the letter of recommendation will not be processed.
5. Proof of sufficient English skills: TOEFL, IELTS or other standard test is recommended but not required. Alternatively, you may provide one of the following:
   • A statement from your university/language course regarding your language skills.
   • A seminar report or something you have written as part of your studies to demonstrate your competence in written English.
   • If your university studies are English, then a clear statement of this fact on your CV and motivation letter.
   • Anything else which in your judgement clearly indicates your English level.
6. (not compulsory) Any other document you wish to attach to support your application. In general it is better to have further documents available on a website and specify the link in your motivation letter and/or CV.

Most of the fields in the application form are quite clear but some are not so obvious.

Here are some tips on filling the form

• For detailed academic questions concerning the research topic: 
• Please contact the academic contact person listed in each topic description. See the "AScI international summer research program: project list" page linked to above.
• For other questions concerning the programme or application procedures
• Before contacting AScI please carefully read all info on programme webpages including the FAQ
• We receive a HUGE number of message during the application period. Altough we are very nice a helpful people :) we simply do not have time to answer questions for which the answer is easy to find here on our pages. "How do I apply" is not a good question.
• AScI applicants zulip chat platform: https://asci-applicants.zulip.aalto.fi/join/pk76gyvr3bele74tmgoohnsj/
• If you have a question which is not personal then please ask it in public in zulip so others can benefit from the answer.
• For personal questions send us a private message on zulip: David R (AScI coordinator) and Ayse P (AScI admin) 
• If you can not access zulip then you may email AScI at [email protected] where x=i.