DAAD RISE Professional: Summer Research Internships in Germany
Who can apply for a DAAD RISE Professional internship in Germany, what it pays, the deadlines, and how to apply step by step.
RISE Professional is a DAAD program. It places master's and PhD students from North America, the UK and Ireland in summer research internships at German companies. The program is funded by the German Federal Foreign Office. This guide explains who can apply, what it pays, and how to apply.
Who can apply
You can apply to RISE Professional if you meet these rules:
- You are enrolled in a master's or PhD program at a university in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom or Ireland, at the time of the internship.
- Your field is biology, chemistry, computer science, physics, earth science, engineering, or a closely related field.
- You do not need citizenship in these countries. International students at these universities can apply too, but you must have been in the country for at least 12 months by the application deadline.
Undergraduates who are RISE Germany alumni can also apply. Recent graduates can apply as well, if they graduated no more than 7 months before the application date, but only for internships that pay the statutory minimum wage.
German citizens can apply only if they have lived outside Germany for 6 years or more.
You do not need German language skills for most placements. Some internship listings ask for intermediate German, so check each listing before you apply.
RISE Professional started in 2006 as a sister program to RISE Germany, which is for undergraduates. The program later opened to students from the United Kingdom and Ireland, in 2018.
What it pays
DAAD and the host company pay you together. The rules depend on the length of your internship.
| Internship length | Who pays | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 3 months (or a mandatory internship up to 6 months) | DAAD scholarship | About €492 a month for master's students, €900 a month for PhD students (check the current call) |
| Same case | Host company | About €500 net a month (check the current call) |
| Longer than 3 months, or a recent graduate | Host company only | Germany's statutory minimum wage per hour, before tax (the rate changes each year; check the official FAQ page for the current rate) |
For every scholarship holder, DAAD also pays:
- Travel costs, based on your home country.
- Health, accident and private liability insurance.
- 70% of the cost of a German language course, up to €250.
- Travel support to attend a RISE meeting for all interns.
Tip: These amounts are for a recent call year. Always check the official RISE Professional page for the current amounts before you apply.
Deadlines and timeline
- The online internship database usually opens between 15 October and 30 November.
- Submit your full application online by 30 November.
- Your referee must submit the letter of reference by 15 December.
- Companies review applications in January.
- DAAD tells you the result of the placement process at the end of February, or later.
- Internships run between 15 May and 1 October. You must stay for 10 weeks at a minimum, and up to 6 months.
Check the official RISE Professional page each year. Dates can move.
Documents you need
- A cover letter for each internship offer you apply to. Explain your motivation and relevant experience.
- A CV or resume.
- An official transcript of records.
- An official certificate of enrollment, with your expected graduation date.
- A letter of reference, uploaded online by a senior academic who holds a PhD.
A placeholder transcript is possible in your first semester, if you also upload your previous degree transcript. Send the official transcript as soon as you have grades.
How to apply, step by step
- Check that you meet the eligibility rules for RISE Professional.
- Register for the RISE Professional online database.
- Search the internship database. Do not limit your search to one field, since many projects combine fields.
- Choose internship offers that match your research interests. Companies notice withdrawals, so choose carefully.
- Write a cover letter for each offer.
- Upload your CV, transcript and certificate of enrollment.
- Ask your referee to submit a letter of reference online, before the 15 December deadline.
- Submit your full application online by 30 November.
- Wait for the company placement process in January and February.
- After you accept a placement, prepare your visa application early, if you need one.
Visa and practical matters
DAAD does not manage your visa application. DAAD gives you the scholarship documents you need, but the German authorities decide your visa. Apply for your visa as early as possible. Check the official website of the German Federal Foreign Office for the current rules in your country.
You will need a German bank account with an IBAN number, since DAAD pays your scholarship into this account. Open your account soon after you arrive in Germany.
Common mistakes
- Applying to internship offers outside your field, without reading the listing carefully.
- Asking for a letter of reference too close to the 15 December deadline.
- Forgetting to submit the official transcript after a placeholder upload.
- Assuming you can start the internship before 15 May. DAAD does not allow this.
- Waiting until after placement to start your visa research.
Where to find more opportunities
PhD Atlas lists internships and PhD positions in Germany. See also our guide on Erasmus+ traineeships and research internships for master's students. Sign up and PhD Atlas matches new, open positions to your CV.