Fully Funded Trip to Germany 2026 – Join the Merck Innovation Cup!

Are you ready to spend a fully funded week in Frankfurt, Germany, developing innovative ideas with top global experts? Applications are officially open for the Merck Innovation Cup Summer Camp 2026 — one of the world’s most competitive and prestigious innovation camps for young scientific talents.

This program gathers 42 outstanding international students for a week-long training and competition focused on innovation, entrepreneurship, and pharmaceutical research. Participants will collaborate with Merck professionals to develop solutions in fields such as:

Oncology
Neuroscience & Immunology
Drug Discovery
Green Chemistry
Digital Health
Smart Manufacturing
Neuroinspired AI inference acceleration

Merck will fully cover travel, accommodation, meals, and event participation. The 2026 camp will take place from 8–14 August 2026.

Program Details – Merck Innovation Cup 2026

Host Country: Germany
City: Frankfurt
Camp Dates: 8–14 August 2026
Duration: 7 days
Financial Coverage: Fully Funded
Number of Participants: 42
Application Deadline: 31 January 2026

Financial Benefits (Fully Funded)

All selected participants will receive:

Round-trip Airfare: Flight tickets to and from Frankfurt.
Accommodation Provided: Free stay for the entire duration of the summer camp.
Meals Included: Daily meals fully covered by Merck.
Cash Prizes
Career Opportunities: Top-performing participants may receive an offer for full-time employment at Merck.

What You Will Experience at the Summer Camp

During the 7-day program, participants will:

Work in teams to create innovative solutions in science and technology
Develop business plans and present them to Merck leaders
Learn directly from pharmaceutical R&D professionals
Build global networks with top students from around the world
Explore future career paths within Merck
Gain hands-on experience in innovation, entrepreneurship, and scientific problem-solving

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants from any country can apply. Eligible candidates include:

Postgraduate students pursuing a PhD in: