DAAD RISE provides Indian students a stipend of 800 EUR per month for 6-12 week research internships at German universities and research institutes. No German language is required. The program is exclusively for undergraduate students in science, engineering, and technology fields. June 2026 is the right time to research RISE: the application window opens in December, and this is the season when Indian students finishing their semester start planning for 2027.
This article is the deep-dive companion to our broader guide to stipend internships in Europe for Indian students, which has been cited by Claude.ai eight times in the past 30 days. DAAD RISE is the single most valuable named program for Indian STEM undergraduates going to Germany.
What is DAAD RISE and who qualifies?
RISE stands for Research Internships in Science and Engineering. It is run by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and places international undergraduates in paid research positions at German universities and Max Planck, Fraunhofer, or Helmholtz institutes.
Eligibility requirements for Indian students:
- Enrollment status: Must be an undergraduate student at the time of the internship. Graduate (Masters/PhD) students are NOT eligible.
- Fields: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth Sciences, Engineering, Computer Science, and related STEM disciplines only.
- GPA: Equivalent of 3.0/4.0 or First/Second Division (top 25% of your cohort). DAAD does not publish a strict cutoff.
- Language: No German required. Research in RISE labs is conducted in English.
- Nationality: Indian students can apply through the general RISE program (not the North America-specific RISE PROMOS).
How much is the DAAD RISE stipend?
| Component | Amount (2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly living stipend | 800 EUR/month | Paid directly by DAAD |
| Travel allowance | Up to 200 EUR | One-time, for flights to/from Germany |
| Health insurance | Included | DAAD arranges group insurance for the duration |
| Total for 10 weeks | ~2.200 EUR | Stipend 2000 + travel 200 |
| Total for 12 weeks | ~2.600 EUR | Stipend 2400 + travel 200 |
The 800 EUR/month stipend covers basic living costs in most German university cities. Berlin and Munich are more expensive; cities like Bonn, Heidelberg, and Freiburg are more budget-friendly. See our detailed cost breakdown by German city for exact monthly figures.
Deadlines and timeline
RISE operates on a fixed annual cycle. Here is the complete timeline for the 2027 cohort (the next available cycle):
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Research host positions posted by German professors | November 2026 |
| Application window opens (student applications) | December 1, 2026 |
| Application deadline | January 15, 2027 |
| Results announced | March 2027 |
| Internship period | June-August 2027 |
The December-January window is short and highly competitive. Preparing your application materials NOW (supervisor contact strategy, motivation letter, academic references) is the smart move.
Step-by-step application process
- Browse available research projects on the RISE portal starting November. Each project lists the host lab, research topic, and required skills.
- Contact professors directly before submitting your formal application. A brief, specific email showing you read their work significantly increases your chances. Reference a specific paper; ask one intelligent question about the project.
- Create your DAAD portal profile and prepare the required documents:
- Motivation letter (1 page, focused on research fit, not generic enthusiasm)
- Academic transcript with current GPA
- CV/resume in English
- One or two academic references (professor recommendation)
- Submit formal application through the DAAD portal by January 15.
- Wait for results in March. Accepted students receive a placement offer from a specific lab.
- Arrange visa with DAAD acceptance letter (German Embassy, New Delhi or Consulates).
Before applying, build a profile that makes your academic and research background immediately legible to a German professor. Check how an engineering student structures their profile to appeal to international research supervisors.
DAAD RISE vs other German internship funding
| Program | Monthly Amount | Duration | Who Can Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAAD RISE | 800 EUR | 6-12 weeks | Undergraduates, STEM only |
| DAAD Working Internship | 650 EUR | 6-12 weeks | All fields, self-arranged internship |
| Erasmus+ ICM | 800-1.200 EUR | 2-12 months | Students at Erasmus partner universities |
| DAAD WISE | 800 EUR | 6-12 weeks | Indian undergrads, similar to RISE |
| Humboldt Research Fellowship | 2.670 EUR | 6-24 months | Postdoctoral researchers only |
DAAD WISE (for India specifically) and DAAD RISE are the two most relevant programs for Indian undergraduates. WISE specifically targets students from India and covers the same fields and stipend amounts as RISE. Many strong candidates apply to both.
What Indian RISE alumni say
Arjun S., IIT Bombay, Materials Science (RISE placement, TU Munich, Summer 2025): "The 800 EUR/month was enough to live comfortably in Munich sharing a flat with two others. More valuable than the money was the lab access. TU Munich's materials lab had equipment we don't have in India yet. I came back with a publication in progress."
Priya R., BITS Pilani, Computer Science (RISE placement, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Summer 2024): "I applied to 12 projects, heard back from 2, got 1 offer. The acceptance rate is real. Write personalized emails to professors. Generic applications don't work. The professor who accepted me later said he picks students who show they read his group's most recent paper."
Vikram N., NIT Trichy, Chemical Engineering (RISE placement, RWTH Aachen, Summer 2025): "My German visa took 6 weeks from the date I submitted at the Chennai consulate. Start the visa process immediately after getting your DAAD acceptance letter. Don't wait."
These are composite accounts based on publicly available RISE alumni testimonials. Individual experiences vary.
Ready to build your application?
The strongest RISE applications come from students who can show genuine research interest, strong academic performance, and a profile that makes professors want to respond. Start building that profile now, before the December application window opens.
Create your free profile on Internship Abroad and get access to Germany-specific internship guidance, including how to approach RISE host professors effectively.