KU Leuven is a world top-50 research university where brilliant minds are free to pursue their innate sense of wonder. This dedication to academic discovery has produced six centuries of breakthroughs since the university’s founding in 1425. Across the university, driven researchers and curious students continually gain new insights and use their knowledge to tackle the foremost challenges of our time. 

Research Internships at KU Leuven is a gateway to hands-on experience and mentorship in a wide range of study fields.

Research Projects: students may choose a project from the Undergraduate Internships Database or find your own project by reaching out to a potential supervisor.  

Research Disciplines:

•      ∗ Architecture     
•      ∗ Biomedical Sciences
•      ∗ Computer Science
•      ∗ Engineering
•      ∗ Humanities
•      ∗ Social Sciences

Application timeline: students should apply 5 months before the indented start of the research internship. Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis. 

2026 Research Dates: Flexible between May and August (please discuss with your supervisor). 

Housing: On campus housing is not available, please view housing information on KU Leuven’s website.  

There are 2 pathways for this SREP opportunity (please indicate which option you are pursuing in the Program Pathway section of the Learning Abroad application):

a) Pre-approved credit course: PCL397Y0, HMB394Y0Y (1.0 U of T credit and regular summer tuition).

b) Not-for-credit (you do not pay U of T tuition or host university tuition).

Application Process for PCL397Y0 & HMB394Y0:  

1. Submit CIE application by November 23, 2025. 
2. Applications will be reviewed by relevant U of T department 
3. Successful candidates will receive CIE nomination (SREP is a competitive program and nomination is not guaranteed) 
4. Nominated students secure a supervisor and submit KU Leuven’s application following the partner application guideline 
5. Accepted students will receive further instructions from the host university

Application Process for Non-Credit: 

1. Review project database to find an interested project or identify a potential supervisor for your own project
2. Submit CIE application at least 5 months in advance of the intended start date 
3. Secure a supervisor and submit KU Leuven’s application following the partner application guideline (apply at least 5 months in advance of the intended start date) 
4. Students who have obtained supervisor approval will receive CIE nomination (applications and nominations will be processed on a rolling basis)
5. Accepted students will receive further instructions from the host university

**Partner Application Guideline:

1. Review KU Leuven’s application guideline 
2. Review research projects in the Undergraduate Internships Database to identify an interested project OR find your own project by reaching out to a potential supervisor
3. Submit your KU Leuven online application and the following supporting documents:

•        a) Nomination Letter (PCL/HMB) or Support Letter (non-credit, please reach out to global.el@utoronto.ca to request the letter)
•        b) Academic CV (max. 2 pages)
•        c) Motivation letter (max. 1 page)
•        d) Short description of the project (required only for those who are applying for a project not in the database and have secured the supervisor)
•        f) Any other documents required by the supervisor

      4. Accepted students will receive further instructions on applying for formal admission to KU Leuven

Learn more about the Summer Research Exchange Program.