Be an icfonian for a day 2026-2027 edition

Live frontier research
together with other women in STEM

Are you a woman* or non-binary individual studying in a STEM undergraduate or master´s program? Are you curious about what the daily life of a researcher at a research centre of excellence like ICFO looks like? Are you aware of the vast professional opportunities a STEM degree can open for you, especially in deep tech? Would you like the chance to chat with a group of scientists and peers and share your doubts and questions in an open and friendly environment?

If so, this program is for you!

The program includes four events spread throughout the academic year and will allow you to:

get to know ICFO researchers and experience the feeling of frontier research;
experience the daily life of an ICFOnian;
gain inspiration for your future career in STEM;
build a network with peers and ICFOnians;
become part of the ICFO family!

FOR WHOM

PROGRAM

TIMELINE

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

*FOR WHOM

The program is designed for undergraduate and master´s students who identify as women, non-binary, genderqueer, transgender, and anyone aligned with these identities.

It aims to connect participants with opportunities in STEM and bring them closer to the realities of careers in deep tech.

PROGRAM

Be an ICFOnian for a day is an annual program and consists of four dedicated events throughout the academic year.

Welcome to icfo
(September 2026)

During this event, we will introduce the program and connect you with your assigned team. You will also engage in an entertaining group activity to get to know ICFO and the research undertaken at the centre.

Be an ICFOnian for a day
(to be scheduled between October 2026 and July 2027)

This is the core activity of the program, from which it takes its name! In pairs or small teams, you will stay with an ICFO research group and have the opportunity to see the lab and offices, interact with the scientists, and experience their daily life.

Career development & networking
(February/March 2027)

During this event, you will have the opportunity to develop transferable skills that will be useful for your career progression and to expand your network with the ICFOnians and other participants of the program. This event will take place during the Women in Science month, an initiative by ICFO to increase the visibility of female scientists and inclusion at the workplace.

A bright future in photonics
(June 2027)

During the closing event of the program, you will have a sneak peak of the multitude of multidisciplinary prospects and career paths enabled by photonics. You will also visit some of ICFO spinoff companies to have a full overview of opportunities available in the field of photonics and STEM!

In addition to these events, participants will have the opportunity to join the career development and training programs hosted by ICFO during the duration of the program and beyond. We will also create an alumni community, enabling a network between the participants of different editions.

ICFO is a cutting-edge research center that attracts talent from all around the world. Being an ICFOnian means communicating primarily in English, therefore these events will be all in English!

Timeline

Application

Deadline for application submission: July 6, 2026
Communication of acceptance: by July 15, 2026
Student confirmation deadline: by July 30, 2026

Program

Welcome to ICFO event: Second half of September 2026 (date to be announced)
Be an ICFOnian for a day: Lab Visits to be scheduled between October 2026 and July 2027
Career development & networking event: February/March 2027 (date to be announced)
A bright future in photonics event: June/July 2027 (date to be announced)

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

Participation in the program is free of charge.

If you would like to be an ICFOnian for a day, please submit your application by filling this form by June 28, 2026. Through this questionnaire we will start to get to know you, your motivations and interests.

During the program you will be paired with at least another student for some of the program activities. Although applications are individual, feel free to engage your friends and let us know in the form who you would like to be paired with!

All participants are required to attend all the organized events in person.

Should you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact us at outreach@icfo.eu!

Apply now