DAAD RISE Germany - Research Internships in Science and Engineering

Overview

DAAD RISE Germany places undergraduate students from North America, the UK and Ireland into summer research internships at German universities and research institutions. RISE stands for Research Internships in Science and Engineering, and it is built around science and engineering fields, with each student paired with a doctoral-student mentor who guides the project.

The internship runs over the summer and comes with a monthly stipend, insurance and travel support, so it covers the core costs of spending a few months doing real research in Germany. The working language is English, which means you do not need German to take part, although picking up some basics helps day to day.

RISE is a good fit if you are partway through an undergraduate degree and want hands-on lab or field experience abroad before you commit to graduate study. You apply online, choose projects that match your interests, and are then matched with a host based on mutual interest.

Key Facts at a Glance

Eligibility Criteria

Academic Requirements

You should be an undergraduate enrolled at a university in an eligible country, studying biology, chemistry, physics, earth sciences, engineering, computer science or a closely related field, and you generally need to have completed at least two years of undergraduate study. You should still be an undergraduate during the internship, so students graduating before the summer are usually not eligible.

Nationality Requirements

Eligibility is based on where you study rather than your citizenship. You need to be enrolled at a university in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom or Ireland.

Language Requirements

German is not required. The working language is English, so you apply and work in English.

Age & Other Requirements

There is no fixed age limit; the main gate is your stage in an undergraduate degree. Confirm the exact requirements on the RISE Germany site, since some specifics are published with each cycle.

What the Scholarship Covers

• Monthly stipend of EUR 992
• Health, accident and personal liability insurance
• A lump sum toward international travel
• EUR 160 toward travel within Germany
• Help with housing arranged by the host institution
• A doctoral-student mentor who supervises your project

How to Apply

1. Create your RISE profile: register on the RISE Germany platform when applications open.
2. Browse the project offers: search the database of internship projects and shortlist ones that match your field and interests.
3. Prepare your application: write your motivation, list your relevant coursework and lab experience, and select your preferred projects.
4. Arrange a reference letter: ask a professor to submit a reference within the reference window.
5. Submit and wait for matching: send your application, then take part in the ranking and matching process that pairs you with a host.

Required Documents

• Online application form with your project preferences
• Letter of motivation
• Curriculum vitae
• Transcript or record of your undergraduate coursework
• One letter of reference from a professor
• Proof of enrolment at an eligible university

Key Dates & Deadlines

Check daad.de/rise for the exact dates of the current cycle.

Tips for a Strong Application

What helps

• Pick projects that genuinely match your coursework and skills, not just well-known cities
• Write a motivation letter that connects your background to the specific project
• Line up your professor's reference early so it lands within the window
• Highlight any lab, fieldwork or coding experience relevant to the field

Common mistakes to avoid

• Applying when you will have already graduated before the summer
• Choosing projects outside your field where you cannot show fit
• Missing the reference deadline because you asked too late
• A generic motivation letter that ignores the specific project

Frequently Asked Questions

What is DAAD RISE Germany?

It is a programme that places undergraduates from North America, the UK and Ireland into summer research internships at German universities and institutes, each with a doctoral-student mentor.

Who is eligible for DAAD RISE Germany?

Undergraduates enrolled at universities in the US, Canada, the UK or Ireland, studying science, engineering or computer science, who have usually completed at least two years of study.

How much does DAAD RISE Germany pay?

You receive EUR 992 a month, plus insurance, a lump sum toward international travel and EUR 160 for travel within Germany.

Do I need to speak German for DAAD RISE Germany?

No. German is not required and the working language is English.

How long is a DAAD RISE Germany internship?

Internships run over the summer, lasting roughly 10 weeks to 3 months.

What fields does DAAD RISE Germany cover?

Biology, chemistry, physics, earth sciences, engineering, computer science and closely related fields.

When is the DAAD RISE Germany deadline?

Applications usually open around 15 October and close around 30 November at 11:59 pm CET, for internships the following summer.

Does DAAD RISE Germany help with housing?

Yes. Host institutions help arrange accommodation for interns.

Will I have a mentor on DAAD RISE Germany?

Yes. Each intern is paired with a doctoral-student mentor who supervises the research project.

Can graduate students apply for DAAD RISE Germany?

No. RISE Germany is for undergraduates; there are separate RISE programmes aimed at other stages.

How are students matched in DAAD RISE Germany?

You select preferred projects, hosts rank applicants, and you are matched to a host based on mutual interest before positions are announced.