What is the DAAD WISE stipend amount for 2026?

The DAAD WISE stipend for 2026 is 934 EUR per month for Master's students. PhD candidates receive 1,200 EUR per month. DAAD also provides a one-time travel allowance of 500 EUR, and health insurance is included for the duration of the internship in Germany.

Can arts or commerce students apply for DAAD WISE?

No. DAAD WISE (Working Internships in Science and Engineering) is restricted to students in STEM fields: engineering, natural sciences (physics, chemistry, biology, geology), mathematics, computer science, and related disciplines. Students from arts, commerce, social sciences, or humanities are not eligible for WISE. They may be eligible for other DAAD programs.

Do I need German language skills for DAAD WISE?

No. Research at German universities is conducted in English, and DAAD WISE does not require German proficiency. You need English proficiency instead, typically demonstrated through a university medium-of-instruction certificate or a TOEFL/IELTS score. Basic German (A1-A2 level) helps with daily life but is not evaluated during selection.

What is the difference between DAAD WISE and a DAAD scholarship?

DAAD WISE is a short-term research internship program (2-6 months) for STEM students from India, targeting summer research in German labs. A DAAD scholarship (such as the DAAD Research Grants or DAAD Study Scholarships) is a longer-term funding program for full Master's or PhD studies or research stays of 6-24 months. WISE is easier to access and has a higher acceptance rate than full DAAD scholarships.

Can I apply to DAAD WISE twice?

No. DAAD WISE can be received only once. Students who have previously received a DAAD WISE fellowship are not eligible to apply again. However, DAAD RISE Worldwide (for German students going abroad) and other DAAD programs are separate and do not conflict.

How competitive is DAAD WISE for Indian students?

India is one of the largest sender countries for DAAD WISE. Acceptance rates are estimated at 15-25%, making it more accessible than programs like Rhodes, Chevening, or IISMA. The key differentiator is the quality of the research proposal and finding a willing host professor before applying. Students who contact professors first and receive informal interest before submitting are significantly more likely to be selected.

Germany

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

934 EUR/month for a summer research internship in Germany. Here is exactly what DAAD WISE covers, what it takes to qualify, and what you need to submit before the November deadline.

June 20, 2026 10 min read

What is DAAD WISE and how is it different from a DAAD scholarship?

DAAD WISE (Working Internships in Science and Engineering) is a fully-funded research internship program run by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) specifically for students from India. Unlike a general DAAD scholarship for studies, WISE is a short-term placement (2 to 6 months) at a German university or research institute in an active research group.

The program was designed to build scientific bridges between India and Germany. German research institutes benefit from motivated STEM students from IITs, NITs, BITS Pilani, and top central universities. Indian students get lab access, a stipend of 934 EUR/month, and a German research reference that stands out on any CV or grad school application.

The key comparison most Indian students get wrong: DAAD scholarships for long-term study are for full Master's or PhD programs and are far more competitive (2-5% acceptance rates). DAAD WISE is specifically for summer research internships and is meaningfully more accessible, with estimated acceptance rates of 15-25% for well-prepared applicants.

DAAD WISE stipend and funding breakdown 2026

The DAAD WISE funding package for 2026 includes:

Component	Amount
Monthly stipend (Master's students)	934 EUR/month
Monthly stipend (PhD candidates)	1,200 EUR/month
Travel allowance (one-time)	500 EUR
Health insurance	Provided by DAAD for internship duration
Housing assistance	Some host institutes assist; not guaranteed

In Indian Rupees, 934 EUR is approximately INR 84,000-87,000 at current exchange rates (June 2026). In Germany, this covers rent in a shared flat (EUR 400-600 in most university cities outside Munich), food, transport, and still leaves a small buffer. Munich is tighter but still manageable with careful budgeting.

Eligibility for Indian students: the exact criteria

DAAD WISE has specific eligibility requirements that disqualify many applicants before they even start. Check these carefully:

Citizenship: Must be an Indian citizen enrolled at an Indian university. Students with OCI cards but non-Indian citizenship do not qualify.
Degree level: Bachelor's final year (6th semester or above), Master's students, or PhD candidates. Post-doctoral researchers do not qualify.
Field: STEM only. Engineering (all branches), natural sciences (physics, chemistry, biology, geology, materials science), mathematics, computer science. Biotechnology and pharmaceutical sciences qualify. Management, economics, and social sciences do not.
Academic performance: Minimum CGPA 7.5/10 or equivalent (60% marks). Top applicants have 8.5+/10.
Language: English medium of instruction certificate or TOEFL iBT 80+/IELTS 6.0+. No German required.
Once only: Cannot have received DAAD WISE funding previously.

The application process: step by step for WISE 2026-2027

Applications for DAAD WISE Summer 2027 open in September 2026 on the DAAD portal (daad.de). The typical deadline is November 30, 2026 for summer placements starting May-September 2027. Here is what you need to submit:

Step 1: Find a German host supervisor before applying

This is the most important step and the one most Indian students skip. DAAD WISE requires a letter of invitation from a German professor or research group leader confirming they are willing to host you. Without this, your application will not proceed.

How to approach this: identify 10-15 research groups in Germany working on a topic close to your own work. Write a 3-paragraph email to each professor: your research background, the specific project of theirs that interests you (reference a specific paper), and the DAAD WISE timeline. A response rate of 10-20% is realistic. One yes is all you need.

Step 2: Prepare your documents (the checklist)

Research proposal (1-2 pages): what you want to do and why at this specific lab
CV in tabular format (max 2 pages, European-style)
Official academic transcripts with CGPA
English medium of instruction certificate or language test results
Two letters of recommendation: one from your thesis supervisor or department head, one from another faculty member who knows your research ability
Host supervisor's letter of invitation (from Step 1)
Signed DAAD application form (from the portal)

Step 3: Submit through the DAAD portal

Create an account on daad.de, find the WISE program listing, and upload all documents before the November deadline. The portal closes at midnight German time. Applications submitted after this point are not considered regardless of extenuating circumstances.

Results are typically announced in February-March for summer placements. DAAD notifies both accepted and rejected applicants by email.

What DAAD WISE alumni say about the application process

Santhosh K., IIT Madras, Chemical Engineering (WISE, TU Berlin, Summer 2025): "I emailed 22 professors. Heard back from 4. Got one invitation. That letter made my application complete. Without it, there is nothing to submit."

Ananya R., BITS Pilani, Biotechnology (WISE, Helmholtz Munich, Summer 2025): "My research proposal was 1.5 pages. I wrote exactly what I would test, which lab technique I would use, and what result would be meaningful. Generic proposals that say 'I want to contribute to research' don't work."

To see how Indian STEM students present their profiles effectively for competitive European programs, look at how an engineering student builds their Living Profile for international placements.

DAAD WISE vs Netherlands, UK, and other European options

DAAD WISE is Germany-only. If your research interest points you toward the Netherlands (Delft, Eindhoven, Wageningen), the UK (Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial), or other European countries, you need different routes. The Netherlands has NWO-funded short-stay grants. The UK has self-arranged research visit visas. For a comparison of funded European internship routes for Indian students, see our Europe internship stipend guide.

Start building your application now

The DAAD WISE application window for Summer 2027 opens in September 2026 and closes in November 2026. Students who start identifying host professors in June-August are the ones who have a confirmed invitation letter in September when the portal opens.

Create your free Internship Abroad profile and get matched with Germany-based opportunities while you prepare your DAAD WISE application. Our network includes companies and research-adjacent organizations that take students who are actively building their German placement track.