DAAD RISE Germany is one of the most established funded summer research programmes for undergraduates, placing students from the United States, Canada, the UK and Ireland into research groups across Germany for two to three months each summer. RISE stands for Research Internships in Science and Engineering, and it is run by DAAD, the German Academic Exchange Service, on behalf of the German Federal Foreign Office. Since the programme began, thousands of bachelor's students have worked alongside doctoral mentors in university laboratories and research institutes connected to the Max Planck, Helmholtz, Fraunhofer and Leibniz networks.

This guide covers who is eligible, what the funding includes, how the matching process works, and how to write an application that stands out. If you are an undergraduate in a STEM subject who wants genuine research experience in Europe with your main costs covered, DAAD RISE Germany deserves a close look.

Key takeaways

What is DAAD RISE Germany?

RISE Germany is a matching programme rather than a single internship. German doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers advertise real research projects in the RISE database, and eligible undergraduates apply directly to the projects that interest them. Hosts then review applications and select the student they want to work with, so every placement is a genuine collaboration instead of a general traineeship.

Internships last roughly ten weeks to three months between late spring and early autumn, usually starting between mid-May and mid-July. Interns work on a defined research question, assist with experiments, data analysis or simulations, and present their results, all under the supervision of a PhD-level mentor.

Who is eligible?

To apply, you must be currently enrolled as a full-time undergraduate at a university or college in the United States, Canada, the UK or Ireland, in the field of biology, chemistry, computer science, physics, earth sciences or engineering, or a closely related STEM field. You also need to have completed at least two years of your degree programme before the internship, and you must still hold undergraduate status after it finishes. Recent graduates and master's students are generally not eligible for RISE Germany.

There is no strict grade cut-off published by DAAD, but selection is competitive and hosts tend to favour students with strong academic records and clear research motivation. German language skills are not required for most projects, though a few everyday phrases help outside the laboratory.

What does the funding cover?

DAAD RISE Germany is not a job, so there is no salary. Instead, DAAD provides a monthly stipend designed to cover living costs in Germany, and the amount is updated periodically, so check the official RISE page for the current figure. In addition, the programme usually includes health, accident and liability insurance, a travel allowance toward your transatlantic flight, and a contribution toward the expenses of the mid-programme meeting for interns.

Housing is arranged with the help of the host institution, which typically helps you find a place in a student dormitory or a shared flat. Because the stipend is calibrated to German living costs rather than to your home country's economy, most interns find that the package covers their core expenses for the summer.

How does the matching process work?

Each autumn, DAAD opens the RISE project database at daad.de/rise. You create a profile, upload your documents, and apply to a selection of advertised projects that match your field and interests. Applications usually open around mid-October and close at the end of November, with recommendation letters due a couple of weeks later.

After you apply

Host researchers review the applications they receive and rank their preferred candidates. DAAD then works through the rankings to assign placements, and offers are typically announced between February and March. If you are selected, you receive instructions on paperwork, insurance and your start date, and your host helps you settle in when you arrive.

How to build a strong application

Because hosts select their own interns, project fit matters more than a generic impressive CV. Read each project description carefully, apply only to projects you can genuinely contribute to, and say exactly why that project interests you in your motivation letter. Strong applications usually include a clear CV, academic transcripts, a motivation letter, and one or two recommendation letters from professors who know your work.

It also pays to mention any coursework, projects or laboratory experience that connects to the research topic. A student who can point to a specific technique or course that relates to the project is far more convincing than one who simply says they love science. If you are still building your profile, our guide to building a competitive scholarship profile has practical advice that transfers directly to internship applications.

What if you are not eligible?

If you study outside the four eligible countries, RISE Germany is not open to you, but DAAD runs related programmes. Indian undergraduates can apply through DAAD WISE, and students from many other countries can apply to DAAD RISE Worldwide, which follows a similar model. For a broader view of what DAAD offers, see our guide to DAAD scholarships explained.

How to apply: next steps

Start by confirming your eligibility, then mark the opening of the RISE database in your calendar for October. Prepare your transcripts, CV and a motivation letter template in advance so you can customise it quickly once projects are live. Decide which projects best match your background, ask your referees for letters early, and submit before the November deadline.

Finally, always confirm current dates, eligibility and stipend amounts on the official RISE Germany page at daad.de, because details change each year. For more funded summer options, browse our internships hub and our broader guide to funded summer research internships abroad.