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RISE Germany 2027 Research Internships: Funding, Eligibility & Application
14 min read
Updated
NBy Naman Kumar
Page Summary⌄
Funding: €992 per full month for DAAD-funded U.S., UK and Irish participants; CAD 7,000 for eligible Canadian participants funded through Mitacs.
Who can apply: Eligible Bachelor's students studying at universities in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom or Ireland.
Subjects: Biology, chemistry, computer science, physics, earth sciences, engineering and closely related fields.
Internship duration: Minimum 10 weeks and maximum 90 days, starting between 15 May and 15 July 2027.
Deadline:30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET; academic references can be submitted until 15 December 2026.
Table of Contents
RISE Germany 2027 offers funded summer research internships at universities and research institutions across Germany for undergraduate students studying in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom or Ireland.
The programme is run by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and focuses on research in biology, chemistry, computer science, physics, earth sciences, engineering and closely related fields.
For students studying in the United States, United Kingdom and Ireland, DAAD provides €992 per full month, insurance and an international travel subsidy. Eligible students studying at Canadian universities are considered for the joint Mitacs RISE-Globalink Research Internship, which currently provides CAD 7,000 for travel and living expenses.
Internships last between 10 weeks and 90 days and must begin between 15 May and 15 July 2027.
Applications for RISE Germany 2027 are open from 15 October to 30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET.
RISE Germany 2027 at a Glance
Information
Details
Programme
Research Internships in Science and Engineering — RISE Germany
Provider
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RISE Germany 2027: €992/Month Funded Research Internships
German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
Canadian partner
Mitacs
Location
Germany
Host institutions
Participating German universities and research institutions
Study level
Undergraduate / Bachelor's
Eligible study countries
United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Ireland
Subjects
Biology, chemistry, computer science, physics, earth sciences, engineering and related fields
DAAD funding
€992 per full month
Canadian funding
CAD 7,000 through Mitacs
Insurance
Health, accident and personal-liability insurance
Travel support
Yes; structure differs for DAAD and Mitacs recipients
Internship duration
10 weeks to 90 days
Earliest start
15 May 2027
Latest start
15 July 2027
RISE meeting
Heidelberg, July 2027
Application opens
15 October 2026
Application deadline
30 November 2026, 23:59 CET
Reference deadline
15 December 2026, 23:59 CET
Results
February/March 2027
DAAD says that about 300 RISE Germany scholarships are available each year.
What is RISE Germany?
RISE stands for: Research Internships in Science and Engineering
RISE Germany connects undergraduate students studying in North America, the United Kingdom and Ireland with researchers at universities and research institutions in Germany.
Participants work on an existing research project and are normally mentored by a doctoral researcher. At universities of applied sciences, other researchers may also serve as supervisors.
The programme is designed to give undergraduates direct experience of research in Germany while exposing them to the German academic and research environment.
RISE Germany began in 2005 for applicants from the United States and Canada, expanded to the United Kingdom in 2009 and added Ireland in 2018.
Is RISE Germany a scholarship or an internship?
It is both a research internship and a funded mobility programme.
You apply to individual research projects offered by German universities and research institutions.
If selected, you conduct the internship in Germany and receive financial support through either DAAD, or Mitacs for eligible Canadian participants.
This is not a conventional university scholarship where you simply receive funding for your existing degree.
The funding is specifically tied to the RISE research internship.
Which subjects are eligible?
You must currently be studying in one of the following fields:
- biology
- chemistry
- computer science
- physics
- earth sciences
- engineering
or a closely related field.
Because research projects can be interdisciplinary, you should not automatically exclude yourself just because your degree title differs slightly from one of the main subject categories.
The individual research-project description remains important when determining whether your academic background fits a specific internship.
Who can apply for RISE Germany 2027?
To apply for the Summer 2027 programme, you must currently be enrolled in a Bachelor's degree programme at a university or college in:
- United States
- Canada
- United Kingdom
- Ireland.
You must also:
- study an eligible subject
- have completed at least two years of your degree by the time your internship begins
- remain an undergraduate after the internship is completed.
The continuing-undergraduate requirement is important because RISE Germany is specifically designed for undergraduate students rather than graduates.
Do I need to be a citizen of the US, Canada, UK or Ireland?
No. Nationality is not the main eligibility criterion.
International students can apply if they are studying at a university or college in the:
- United States
- Canada
- United Kingdom
- Ireland
and have been studying there for more than 12 months by the application deadline.
So, for example, an Indian, Chinese, Brazilian or other international student studying for a Bachelor's degree in one of these four countries may potentially qualify.
You still need to meet all other RISE programme requirements.
Can an Indian student apply for RISE Germany?
Yes, potentially. Your nationality does not automatically exclude you.
If you are an Indian citizen studying at an eligible university in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom or Ireland and you have studied there for more than 12 months by the deadline, you can potentially apply.
If you are studying at a university in India, however, you are not eligible for RISE Germany under the current rules.
The programme is based on where you are studying, not simply your nationality.
Can German citizens apply?
Yes, but an additional restriction applies. German citizens can apply only if they can prove that they have lived outside Germany for at least six years.
DAAD asks German citizens to include the relevant information in their CV.
How many years of university do I need to complete?
You must have completed at least two years of your degree programme by the time the RISE internship begins.
This means you may be able to apply while still in your second year if you will have completed two full years before the internship starts.
Canadian applicants have additional Mitacs rules.
Mitacs generally requires applicants to have completed at least two years of a four- or five-year undergraduate programme.
For Quebec students enrolled in a three-year undergraduate degree, Mitacs states that at least one year must be completed.
Can I graduate immediately after the internship?
No. DAAD requires you to maintain undergraduate status after the internship has taken place.
Your certificate of enrolment must include your expected graduation date so that the German authorities can verify that you will continue your academic studies after returning from Germany.
If your degree will already be finished before or immediately upon completing the internship, you may not meet the RISE Germany undergraduate-status requirement.
Is there a minimum GPA?
DAAD's main RISE Germany applicant page does not publish a programme-wide minimum GPA for U.S., British or Irish applicants.
Your transcript is nevertheless part of the application and will be reviewed by internship providers.
For Canadian applicants, the current Mitacs RISE-GRI page also focuses on programme eligibility rather than publishing one universal RISE Germany GPA threshold applicable to all Canadian universities.
You should therefore not invent a fixed minimum GPA unless an official country-specific or project-specific source states one.
Do I need German language skills?
The main RISE Germany 2027 applicant requirements do not state a programme-wide German-language certificate or minimum German level.
Research projects are advertised individually, so applicants should check whether a particular host project has specific language expectations.
You should not assume that IELTS, TOEFL, TestDaF or a German certificate is automatically required unless your chosen project states otherwise.
How much does RISE Germany pay?
Funding depends on where you study.
Funding for US, UK and Irish Students
DAAD provides €992 per full month.
DAAD states that if you spend fewer than 23 days in a particular month, the scholarship amount for that month is calculated on a daily basis.
DAAD-funded participants also receive:
- health insurance
- accident insurance
- personal-liability insurance
- an international travel subsidy
- €160 travel support for attending the RISE Germany meeting.
Funding for Canadian Students
Eligible students at Canadian universities are considered through the RISE-Globalink Research Internship, a partnership between DAAD and Mitacs.
Can Canadian students receive both €992/month and CAD 7,000?
No. Mitacs explicitly states that its CAD 7,000 funding is provided instead of the DAAD monthly stipend and DAAD international travel subsidy.
Canadian recipients do not receive both funding models simultaneously.
They still receive DAAD insurance coverage.
How many Canadian RISE Germany awards are available?
DAAD states that Mitacs offers up to 100 positions for successfully matched Canadian candidates in RISE Germany.
Mitacs similarly states that eligible Canadian applicants are automatically considered for Mitacs funding when they apply through the RISE Germany system.
You do not submit a separate initial RISE-GRI application to Mitacs.
How long is a RISE Germany internship?
Your internship must last between minimum 10 weeks and maximum 90 days.
DAAD describes the standard internship period as approximately three months.
The exact start and end dates are agreed with your research host within the programme rules.
When can the internship start?
Your RISE Germany 2027 internship must begin between 15 May and 15 July 2027.
The dates listed on individual internship offers are generally treated as a timeframe and may have some flexibility.
If you need to adjust the dates, DAAD recommends discussing this with the internship provider.
What is the RISE Germany Meeting in Heidelberg?
All RISE Germany interns are invited to a programme meeting in Heidelberg in July 2027.
The meeting gives participants the opportunity to:
- meet other RISE interns
- exchange research experiences
- learn more about Germany
- build international academic connections.
DAAD-funded participants receive an additional €160 travel allowance for the RISE meeting.
Where will I do the internship?
RISE Germany projects are hosted by participating:
- German universities
- universities of applied sciences
- research institutions.
Your exact location depends on the research project you select and are matched with.
RISE Germany is therefore not limited to Berlin, Munich or another single city.
You should evaluate each project based on:
- research topic
- supervisor
- institution
- location
- project dates
- required skills.
How do I find RISE Germany projects?
All available projects are published in the RISE Germany internship database.
You need to register for a DAAD ID and then access the application database.
The applicant database is open from 15 October to 30 November 2026.
You then choose research projects and prepare project-specific applications.
Do I need a separate motivation letter for every project?
Yes. DAAD requires one motivation letter for every project you apply to.
Your motivation letter should explain:
- why you want the particular research internship
- how your academic or practical experience has prepared you for it
- how the project relates to your interests
- potentially, your future academic or career plans.
DAAD does not publish a fixed word or page limit for the motivation letter.
Avoid writing one generic motivation letter and reusing it unchanged for every project.
What documents do you need?
Your RISE Germany application includes several documents.
1. Project-specific motivation letter
You need a separate motivation letter for each research project.
2. Curriculum Vitae
Your CV should include information about:
- education
- work experience
- volunteer experience
- research interests
- relevant previous experience.
DAAD also says applicants may include political, cultural or social engagement and relevant special life circumstances.
3. List of courses
You must create a list of courses you will have completed by the time your internship begins.
The document should be no longer than one page.
This helps German research supervisors understand your academic preparation, especially when transcripts use abbreviations or do not yet include current courses.
4. Transcript
Submit your university Transcript of Records.
DAAD accepts a digital official transcript showing the university name/logo, student name and print date, or a copy of a certified hard-copy transcript.
5. Certificate of enrolment
Your certificate needs to confirm that you are enrolled and should show your expected graduation date.
This is used to prove that you will remain a student after the RISE internship.
6. Academic reference
You need an academic reference from someone at your university who can assess your ability to complete an international research internship successfully.
Who can write my reference letter?
Your referee must hold at least a PhD degree.
A suitable referee might be:
- a professor who taught you in a smaller class
- an academic who supervised you in a laboratory
- a research supervisor from a university-based research internship.
DAAD does not accept recommendation letters from companies.
If your referee supervised you during a previous research internship, that internship must have taken place in a university setting and lasted at least two months.
How does my professor submit the reference?
Your referee uploads the recommendation directly through the online RISE system.
After you save your application, you create an individual reference link using your professor's name and email address.
Your professor receives the link and uploads the letter online.
The recommendation must use official university letterhead and include the referee's signature.
What is the reference-letter deadline?
Your main application must be submitted by 30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET but your professor has until: 15 December 2026 at 23:59 CET to upload the academic reference.
Do not wait until December to complete the rest of your application.
The extended deadline applies specifically to the recommendation letter.
How to apply for RISE Germany 2027
Step 1 — Check your eligibility
Confirm that you:
- are enrolled in an eligible Bachelor's programme
- study in the US, Canada, UK or Ireland
- study an eligible subject
- will have completed the required university study period
- will remain an undergraduate after your internship.
Step 2 — Create a DAAD ID
You need a DAAD account to access the RISE Germany application system.
Step 3 — Search the internship database
Review the available research projects carefully.
Choose projects that genuinely match your:
- courses
- research experience
- laboratory skills
- programming skills
- scientific interests.
Step 4 — Write a separate motivation letter for each project
Explain exactly why your background matches that research opportunity.
Step 5 — Prepare your general application documents
Prepare your:
- CV
- one-page course list
- transcript
- certificate of enrolment.
Step 6 — Invite your academic referee
Generate the reference link in the RISE application portal and send it to your referee early.
Step 7 — Submit your application
Complete your application online by 30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET.
Step 8 — Ensure the reference arrives
Your professor must upload the recommendation by 15 December 2026 at 23:59 CET.
Application Timeline for RISE Germany 2027
Stage
Date
Application portal opens
15 October 2026
Student application deadline
30 November 2026, 23:59 CET
Academic reference deadline
15 December 2026, 23:59 CET
Provider ranking period
14–27 January 2027
RISE results announced
February/March 2027
Earliest internship start
15 May 2027
Latest internship start
15 July 2027
RISE Germany meeting
July 2027
Maximum internship duration
90 days
The official RISE application portal confirms that internship providers rank applicants between 14 and 27 January 2027, with placement results expected in February or March 2027.
How are students selected?
The programme is competitive.
Your application is first checked by DAAD for completeness and eligibility.
Only complete applications are forwarded to internship providers.
Research supervisors then evaluate applicants for their specific projects.
Your academic preparation, motivation, research fit, transcript, relevant experience and academic reference can therefore all matter.
The public RISE page does not publish one universal numerical scoring formula.
Do I need previous research experience?
DAAD does not state a fixed minimum duration of previous research or work experience.
However, your motivation letter asks you to explain how your previous experience has prepared you for the research project.
Research experience can therefore strengthen your application, but applicants should not assume that a prior formal research internship is mandatory unless the individual project says so.
Relevant preparation can also come from:
- university laboratory courses
- programming projects
- technical coursework
- academic projects
- volunteer research experience.
Can I apply if I have no work experience?
Yes, potentially. RISE Germany is designed for undergraduate students, and the official programme does not publish a general professional work-experience requirement.
Your academic preparation and fit for the specific research project are more important.
Can I apply for more than one project?
RISE Germany allows project-specific applications within the online system.
Because each project requires its own motivation letter, you should apply selectively rather than submitting weak generic applications.
The current public applicant page does not state a simple universal number in the material reviewed here, so follow the limits displayed in the live RISE application database.
Do I need to contact professors before applying?
The official RISE application process is conducted through the central database.
You should use the project descriptions and portal instructions rather than assuming that you need to secure a supervisor independently before applying.
DAAD notes that internship providers may contact applicants to discuss questions related to their application.
Does RISE Germany provide accommodation?
The programme does not provide free accommodation as a standard scholarship component.
However, DAAD states that participating host universities and research institutions provide housing assistance, and Mitacs also notes that DAAD provides logistical support, including accommodation guidance in cooperation with mentors.
Your living expenses are expected to be covered using your scholarship and personal financial planning.
Does RISE Germany provide health insurance?
Yes. DAAD-funded interns receive:
- health insurance
- accident insurance
- personal-liability insurance.
Canadian Mitacs-funded participants also receive these insurance benefits through DAAD.
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