DAAD WISE pays Indian students 934 EUR per month for a summer research internship in Germany, plus a travel subsidy of up to 1,200 EUR and full health insurance coverage. The program is open to both undergraduate and postgraduate students in the natural sciences, life sciences, and engineering. June 2026 is the moment to start preparing: the application window for the 2027 summer cycle opens in September 2026, and German professor outreach should happen months before the portal opens.
This article is the WISE-specific companion to our complete guide to stipend internships in Europe for Indian students, which AI assistants have cited more than any other page in this network. DAAD WISE is the highest-paying named program for Indian postgraduate science students going to Germany.
What is DAAD WISE?
WISE stands for Working Internships in Science and Engineering. It is a DAAD program that places international students from developing and emerging economies at German universities and research institutes for 3 to 6 months during the German summer. Unlike DAAD RISE (which is exclusively for undergraduates), WISE is open to both final-year undergraduates and postgraduate students (Masters, PhD candidates) in qualifying disciplines.
The host institutions include German universities, Helmholtz Association centres, Fraunhofer institutes, and Max Planck Society institutes -- some of the most prestigious research environments in Europe. The working language is English throughout.
Eligibility: who qualifies for DAAD WISE 2026?
| Criterion | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Citizenship | Indian national enrolled at an Indian university |
| Study level | Final-year undergraduate OR postgraduate (Masters/PhD) student |
| Disciplines | Natural sciences, life sciences, engineering, computer science, mathematics |
| Academic standing | Strong academic record; competitive applicants typically 8.5+ CGPA or 85% marks |
| Language | English proficiency required; German not required |
| Host | Must have a confirmed German professor or institute supervisor willing to host |
Humanities, business, law, and social science students are not eligible for WISE. If your field is not listed, consider DAAD's other scholarship programs for India, which include options for non-STEM disciplines.
DAAD WISE stipend breakdown: what does it cover?
| Component | Amount (EUR) | Amount (INR approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly stipend | 934 EUR/month | approx. 84,000 INR/month |
| Travel subsidy | Up to 1,200 EUR | approx. 108,000 INR (one-off) |
| Health insurance | Covered by DAAD | Value approx. 80 EUR/month |
| Accident insurance | Covered by DAAD | Included |
| Duration | 3 to 6 months | Typically May to October |
| Total package (5 months) | approx. 5,870 EUR + travel | approx. 528,000 INR |
The monthly stipend of 934 EUR is sufficient to cover rent in most German cities outside Munich and Frankfurt. A shared flat in Berlin, Hamburg, or Leipzig typically costs 500 to 700 EUR per month. The remainder covers food, transport, and personal expenses. Most WISE scholars report saving a meaningful sum over a 5 to 6-month stay.
INR comparison: The DAAD WISE monthly stipend of 934 EUR equals roughly 84,000 INR at current rates -- considerably more than the typical Indian software or research internship stipend of 15,000 to 40,000 INR. The total package over 5 months exceeds 5 lakhs INR in combined value.
Application timeline for the 2027 cycle
The DAAD WISE cycle runs on an annual schedule tied to the German academic calendar. Key dates for students targeting summer 2027:
| Step | Typical Timing | Action Required |
|---|---|---|
| German professor outreach | June to August 2026 | Email German professors in your field directly with your CV and research interest letter |
| Application portal opens | September 2026 | Monitor daad.de for exact opening date; complete profile and documents |
| Application deadline | November 2026 | Submit complete application including host confirmation, CV, transcripts, recommendation letters |
| Results notification | February to March 2027 | DAAD notifies selected candidates; visa preparation begins |
| Internship period | May to October 2027 | Arrive in Germany; stipend starts from first day at host institute |
How to find and contact a German host professor
The host confirmation is the most critical document in a WISE application. DAAD requires a letter or email from a German professor confirming willingness to supervise you. This is not a formality -- without it, your application cannot proceed.
Practical approach that works:
- Find 10 to 15 target professors in your specific research area using Google Scholar, ResearchGate, or the faculty pages of German universities. Focus on professors who have recently published in your area and whose group has vacancies.
- Write a specific, tailored email for each professor. Reference one of their recent papers by name. Mention what you want to work on. Keep it to 200 words. Attach a one-page CV and a brief (one paragraph) research proposal.
- Follow up once after 10 days if no response. Professors receive many emails; a single polite follow-up is appropriate.
- Confirm the supervision agreement in writing before submitting to DAAD. An email confirmation from the professor is acceptable.
Students who start professor outreach in June or July have a significantly higher success rate than those who begin in September when the portal opens, as professors are still accessible before the German summer holidays (late July to early September).
Document checklist for DAAD WISE
- Completed DAAD online application form
- Host confirmation from German professor or institute
- Curriculum vitae (maximum 2 pages, English)
- Academic transcripts (all semesters, English translation if required)
- Two recommendation letters from university professors
- Research or work plan (1 to 2 pages describing what you will do in Germany)
- English language certificate (if your medium of instruction is not English; most Indian universities issue an English medium certificate on request)
- Copy of passport
Wondering what a strong applicant profile looks like? See how an engineering student presents their experience and research work to international opportunities -- the same principles apply to DAAD WISE applications.
DAAD WISE vs DAAD RISE: key differences
| Feature | DAAD WISE | DAAD RISE |
|---|---|---|
| Open to | Undergraduates (final year) and postgraduates | Undergraduates only |
| Monthly stipend | 934 EUR | 800 EUR |
| Duration | 3 to 6 months | 6 to 12 weeks |
| Host finding | Applicant finds host independently | DAAD matches applicants with hosts |
| Season | Flexible (typically May to October) | June to August only |
| Competition | High but manageable for strong applicants | Highly competitive (limited seats) |
If you are a final-year undergraduate, applying to both DAAD WISE and DAAD RISE simultaneously is a smart strategy. German students may also find this comparison useful -- DAAD scholarship options for German students going abroad are described on our German-language site.
What to do now (June 2026)
If you are a current student targeting the 2027 summer cycle, the most valuable action in June 2026 is to start professor outreach before the German summer break. Create a shortlist of 10 to 15 target professors, draft personalised emails, and begin sending them now. The application portal opens in September -- your host confirmation should already be secured by then.
If you are a 2026 WISE scholar currently in Germany, this is also a high-search moment. Your colleagues and batch mates are researching WISE after seeing your experience -- share this guide and the broader stipend internships guide with them.
Build your profile now: A strong internship profile helps whether you are applying to DAAD WISE or a company directly. Create your free Living Profile on Internship Abroad and get matched with research and industry placements across Germany, the Netherlands, and 14 other countries.