FAQ

Frequently asked questions?

What does ASPIRE stand for?

Astrophysics Summer Program for International Research Experience.

When is the next round of ASPIRE?

The 2026 round of ASPIRE will begin accepting applications on about 17 November 2025 and the program will start Monday 15 June 2026.

When is the deadline for applications?

The deadline for applications for the current round is 17 December 2025.

How do I apply?

Visit the application page here.

When is it, and for how long?

The program will run for 8 weeks in June/July/August. For exact dates, see the home page.

What is it?

This programme is designed to offer students from diverse backgrounds an opportunity to undertake a research project at a world leading university.

Where does ASPIRE take place?

The program takes place in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, at the Anton Pannekoek Institute (API) for Astronomy at the University of Amsterdam.

Do I need to attend the entire 8 weeks?

Yes. Students should plan to be available for the full period of the programme.

What projects are available?

See the full list here.

What would I be expected to do during the project?

Each project will have a scientific aim which you’ll discuss with your project supervisor. More generally you’ll be expected to participate in the research group (and hopefully learn a few things along the way).

Do you accept more than one student for a given project?

No. Each project is for one student only, with the exception of the project in the ASTROFLASH group (2 students).

What do I get from this?

You’ll be able to do research at a world leading university and along side top academics in astronomy. You’ll be doing research at the very edge of our understanding of the Universe and will get a greater understanding of what it is like to do research. During the project you’ll learn valuable research and astrophysics skills, as well as gain a mentor in the way.

Do I need to live in a specific country / have a specific nationality to apply?

Everyone, regardless of country or nationality, can apply for ASPIRE, provided you are eligible for the appropriate visa to travel to and stay in Amsterdam. We strive to be able to invite people from across the entire world. For the 2026 edition of ASPIRE, the possibility exists that Dutch Visa schemes do not support students from outside the European Union to attend ASPIRE in person. In that case, a number of students from outside the European Union could be selected to attend ASPIRE remotely instead. We expect to gain clarity about this issue over the next couple of weeks. In the meantime, we encourage everyone to apply for ASPIRE. When new information is known, we will update this website accordingly.

Am I eligible to apply given my study background / degree stage?

Any student who is not currently enrolled in a PhD program and has already started an MSc in a physics or astronomy degree (or related fields) and who has a passion for doing scientific research can apply. We do, however, give strong priority to students who through their regular place of education have less access to frontline research in astronomy. Students in an integrated MSc/BSc programme may apply, provided the programme has a total length of at least 5 years, and the student has completed the first 3 of those years.

I have just finished my MSc, can I apply?

Yes, as long as you have not started a PhD by the time the program starts.

Does it cost anything?

No. The program is completely free.

Do I need to book accommodation?

No. We will arrange accommodation for all accepted participants.

What do I need to do to apply?

You can check the required documentation in the application section.

Should I attach my reference letter to my application?

No, please ask your referee to send the letter directly to aspire4api@gmail.com, with your name as subject. Please provide your referee with the letter writing guide pdf which you can download in the application section.

When does my referee need to send the reference in by?

We would like to have all reference letters by the application deadline.

I do not have an academic background in astronomy, can I still apply?

Yes, however a background in physics or very closely related field is mandatory. Please be clear in describing how your skills and knowledge match the projects you have selected.

How should I send the documentation?

Here you can find all the information. The application will be run through a google form.

How big can the uploaded files be?

The file sizes for your documentation are specified in the google form.

Are late applications accepted?

No, late applications will not be accepted.

What does the selection process look like and when will you make offers?

We expect to announce the outcome of the entire selection process in late January. We expect to contact shortlisted candidates in mid January for short online chats with potential supervisors.

What should I do if the application process fails?

If you receive error messages during the application process or your PDFs fail to upload, try to restart the process. If everything else fails, please get in contact with us at aspire4api@gmail.com as soon as possible.

How can I promote the ASPIRE summer program?

You can freely download and distribute our poster which contains the essential information about our program. Click here or use the top menu to navigate to the page.

I didn't find my question in this FAQ. Who can I contact for further information?

You can send any inquiries regarding the programme to aspire4api@gmail.com.