DAAD RISE Scholarship: Opportunities for Undergraduate Research in Germany

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers a remarkable opportunity for undergraduate students from the United States, Canada, the UK, and Ireland to immerse themselves in cutting-edge research through the Research Internships in Science and Engineering (RISE) program. This program provides a platform for students in the fields of natural science, engineering, and life sciences to gain invaluable experience in Germany's vibrant research landscape. The DAAD RISE scholarship aims to promote student exchange to Germany, motivating undergraduate students to explore Germany’s research landscape and study opportunities.

Program Overview

RISE is a summer internship program designed for second- and third-year undergraduates enrolled at universities in the US, Canada, Ireland, and the UK. It caters specifically to students pursuing degrees in biology, chemistry, physics, earth sciences, engineering, and closely related fields. The program offers unique opportunities for undergraduate students to work with research groups at universities and top research institutions across Germany for a period of 2 to 3 months during the summer.

Internship Structure and Mentorship

RISE interns are carefully matched with doctoral students, whom they assist and who serve as their mentors. This mentorship provides invaluable guidance and support throughout the internship, fostering a collaborative and enriching research experience.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the RISE program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Be currently enrolled at a university/college in the United States, Canada, the UK or Ireland as a full-time student in the field of biology, chemistry, computer science, physics, earth sciences or engineering (or a closely related field).
Be an undergraduate who will have completed at least 2 years of a degree program by the time of the internship placement.
Prove that you will maintain undergraduate status after the internship has taken place.
US and Canadian Citizens.
RISE research internship recipients must return to a full-time enrollment status at their home university after the experience.

While German language skills are not required for most positions, they can be helpful in managing everyday life outside of the laboratory. The working language within the research environment is generally English.

Award Benefits

Recipients of the RISE scholarship receive a comprehensive package of benefits, including:

A monthly scholarship of 992 Euros to cover living expenses. The amount will be calculated on a daily basis if a recipient stays less than 23 days in a month.
DAAD provides health insurance, accident and personal liability insurance.
Travel costs coverage for award winners in the US and Canada to and from Germany through additional funding.

Application Procedure

The application process for the RISE program is conducted entirely online through the RISE database. Interested applicants should follow these steps:

Register and log in to access the internship database, starting October 15, 2024.
Fill in the online application form and upload all necessary documents.
Check the list of application documents you must submit at the Application portal.
Note: applicants must request an enrollment confirmation from the University Registrar, which is provided by the National Student Clearninghouse.

The DAAD Rise deadline for Summer 2026 is 11/30/25. The Pitt application deadline is 11/24/25.

Selection Process and Competition

The RISE program is highly competitive. In the Summer of 2024, there were 2,358 applications for 527 offers. Approximately 300 scholarships are awarded annually.

German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)

The DAAD is a publicly funded independent organization of higher education institutions in Germany. The DAAD supports more than 100,000 German and international students and researchers around the globe each year.

Read also: High Rise 5 Overview

Key Program Features

Research Focus: Internships are focused on scientific research projects at top research institutions in Germany. Awardees may choose from among 500+ research projects.
Duration: The program typically lasts for six to twelve weeks.
Support: Participants receive a monthly stipend, health insurance, and assistance arranging housing.
Nationality: Sophomores and juniors of any nationality studying biology, chemistry, physics, earth sciences, or engineering in the US or Canada may apply.
University Nomination: This scholarship does not require a nomination from the University of Minnesota.
Agreement Meeting: Please be prepared to attend ONE agreement meeting for this program; attendance at meeting is required in order to participate on this program.
Academic Credit: If you want to receive credit for research abroad, please consult with your academic advisor. DAAD RISE applicants must be a student studying: biology, chemistry, computer science, physics, earth sciences or engineering. You can’t move forward without completing both applications by their respective deadlines. Reach out to your Pitt GEO Advisor with any questions.

Additional Opportunities

Study scholarships are awarded to graduating seniors and graduate students for a full master’s degree program study at a German university. RISE internships for undergraduate students majoring in science and engineering to work with German doctoral students at German universities and institutes.

Read also: Understanding the Rise Scholarship

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