Is DAAD WISE different from DAAD RISE?

Yes. DAAD RISE (Research Internships in Science and Engineering) is for undergraduates from North America, Australia, and a select few other countries. DAAD WISE (Working Internships in Science and Engineering) is specifically for Indian and other South Asian students and includes a broader range of host organisations including private sector companies, not just universities. The stipend structure is also slightly different: WISE pays €934/month versus RISE's €800/month.

Can students from private engineering colleges apply for DAAD WISE?

Yes. DAAD WISE does not restrict applications to IITs, NITs, or government-funded institutions. Students from private engineering colleges (VIT, Manipal, BITS Pilani, SRM, Amity, etc.) are eligible as long as they meet the CGPA threshold (typically 8.0 or above on a 10-point scale) and are enrolled in an accredited B.Tech, M.Tech, B.Sc, or M.Sc programme in engineering or natural sciences.

What is the DAAD WISE stipend in Indian rupees for 2026?

The DAAD WISE stipend is €934 per month. At the June 2026 exchange rate of approximately INR 88 per euro, this equals roughly INR 82,200 per month. Additionally, DAAD provides a one-time travel grant of €500 (approximately INR 44,000) and covers health insurance for the duration of the internship.

Do I need a visa for a 3-month DAAD WISE internship in Germany as an Indian student?

Yes. Indian nationals require a visa for Germany regardless of duration. For a WISE internship of up to 3 months, you apply for a short-stay national visa (Visum D) at the German Embassy or Consulate General in India. DAAD provides an official acceptance letter that satisfies the consulate's requirement. Processing time is typically 4 to 8 weeks. Apply well in advance of your start date.

What happens if no host professor accepts my DAAD WISE application?

DAAD requires you to secure a host lab or company before the fellowship application deadline. If no host accepts you, you cannot apply. Expand your outreach: contact at least 20 to 30 professors or research group leaders, personalise each email with reference to their specific published work, and target institutes with active Indian alumni networks (Max Planck, Fraunhofer, TU Munich, KIT). DAAD's official host database lists participating organisations.

When does the DAAD WISE application window open for 2027?

Applications for the 2027 DAAD WISE cohort typically open in October 2026 and close in November or December 2026. Results are communicated in February or March 2027, with internships starting between June and August 2027. Students planning ahead should begin contacting potential host professors in August or September 2026, well before the official window opens.

DAAD WISE Internship 2026 for Indian Students: Stipend, Eligibility and Application Guide

DAAD WISE (Working Internships in Science and Engineering) pays Indian students €934 per month (approximately INR 82,200 at June 2026 rates) plus a one-time travel grant of €500 for a summer internship at a German university, research institute, or company. The programme is exclusively for B.Tech, M.Tech, B.Sc, and M.Sc students in engineering and natural sciences. Applications for the 2027 cohort open in October 2026, making June and July the right time to identify host labs and build your application.

This guide covers everything specific to engineering and science students: eligibility rules, the stipend breakdown in INR, how to find a host professor, required documents, and the visa process. It is the companion to our DAAD RISE guide which covers the parallel programme for undergraduates.

WISE vs RISE: what Indian engineering students need to know

DAAD runs two distinct summer internship programmes for Indian STEM students. They are often confused:

Feature	DAAD WISE	DAAD RISE
Open to Indian students?	Yes, specifically designed for them	No, RISE is for North American and Australian students
Degree level	B.Tech, M.Tech, B.Sc, M.Sc	Undergraduate only (no Masters)
Host type	Universities, Fraunhofer, Max Planck, private companies	Universities and publicly funded institutes
Monthly stipend	€934	€800
Duration	2 to 6 months	6 to 12 weeks

If you are an Indian B.Tech or M.Tech student, WISE is your programme. RISE is not available to you.

DAAD WISE eligibility: checklist for Indian students

Indian national currently enrolled at an Indian university or college
B.Tech, M.Tech, B.Sc (Hons), or M.Sc in engineering, computer science, chemistry, physics, biology, or related natural sciences
CGPA of 8.0 or above on a 10-point scale (7.5 minimum at some institutes)
Not enrolled in a PhD programme (WISE is for undergraduate and taught postgraduate students)
English proficiency (IELTS or TOEFL not always required, but your application must be written in good English)
A confirmed host supervisor at a German institution before applying

Students from private engineering colleges (BITS Pilani, VIT, Manipal, Amity, SRM) are fully eligible. DAAD does not restrict WISE to IITs or NITs.

DAAD WISE stipend 2026: full breakdown in EUR and INR

Component	Amount (EUR)	Amount (INR approx.)
Monthly living allowance	€934/month	INR 82,200/month
Travel grant (one-time)	€500	INR 44,000
Health insurance	Covered by DAAD	Covered by DAAD
Total for 3-month internship	€3,302	approx. INR 2,90,600
Total for 6-month internship	€6,104	approx. INR 5,37,100

This covers rent in cities like Munich (student housing: €500 to €800/month), food, and transport. Germany is not cheap, but the stipend makes a 3-month stay financially viable with modest additional savings from home.

Application timeline: when to start for the 2027 cohort

August to September 2026: Begin contacting host professors and research group leaders. This is the most important step and takes the longest.
October 2026: DAAD opens the official application portal for the 2027 cohort.
November to December 2026: Application deadline (check the official DAAD WISE page for the exact date each cycle).
February to March 2027: DAAD communicates results.
June to August 2027: Internship takes place.

Current 2026 WISE interns are mid-programme right now in June. If you are planning for 2027, start your host outreach in August 2026. Most successful applicants take 3 to 4 months to secure a host, which means starting after September is risky.

Required documents for the DAAD WISE application

Online application form via the DAAD portal (completed in English)
Curriculum vitae (2 pages maximum, academic format with publications or projects listed)
Motivation letter (1 to 2 pages explaining your research interest and why this specific host lab)
Official transcripts with CGPA clearly stated (get them stamped by your registrar)
Two recommendation letters from professors who have taught or supervised you (not from industry supervisors)
Host supervisor acceptance letter confirming they will supervise you during the internship
English proficiency evidence (IELTS/TOEFL or a letter from your English-medium institution)

The motivation letter is where most applications are won or lost. Be specific about the host lab's research, name the papers you have read, and explain what you will contribute. Generic letters about "wanting to experience German culture" are rejected at first screening.

How to find a host professor for DAAD WISE

Securing a host supervisor is the hardest part of the WISE application. Practical steps that work:

Search the DAAD WISE host database for registered labs in your field
Cross-reference with Google Scholar: find professors whose papers you have read, then check if their institute is DAAD-registered
Email at least 20 to 30 professors. Most will not reply. A 10 to 15% response rate is normal.
Personalise each email: one specific paper, one question about their current project, one sentence about what you can contribute
Contact Indian alumni at the target institute through LinkedIn. They often pass your name to the professor directly.

The best fields for finding WISE hosts in 2026: materials science, computational biology, mechanical engineering, AI/ML applied to science, and renewable energy.

Once you have a WISE offer in hand, see how an engineering student builds an international internship profile to complement your fellowship application with industry visibility.

Germany visa for Indian WISE interns

Indian nationals need a German national visa (Category D) regardless of the internship length. Steps:

Book an appointment at the German Embassy in New Delhi or Consulate General in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, or Bangalore (4 to 8 weeks before your start date)
Required documents: passport, visa application form, DAAD acceptance letter, proof of accommodation in Germany, travel insurance, proof of return
Processing time: 4 to 8 weeks. Apply at least 10 weeks before your start date to be safe.
Visa fee: €75 (approximately INR 6,600)

DAAD's acceptance letter is a strong supporting document. German consulates in India are familiar with WISE applicants and rarely reject them if the DAAD letter is present.

Start building your profile

Create a free profile on Internship Abroad to get matched with German companies that take Indian engineering interns outside the formal DAAD window. Many WISE alumni return for a second internship through direct company channels, and a strong Living Profile accelerates that path.