RISE is a summer internship program for undergraduate students from the United States, Canada and the UK in the fields of biology, chemistry, physics, earth sciences and engineering. It 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. RISE interns are matched with doctoral students whom they assist and who serve as their mentors. The working language will be English. All scholarship holders receive stipends from the DAAD to help cover living expenses, while partner universities and research institutes provide housing assistance.

RISE internships were first offered in 2005 to applicants from the US and Canada. In 2009 the program has been extended to the UK. Following the first intake of around 100 students in 2005, the number of participants has increased steadily. In 2010 as many as 304 candidates (out of 1,300 applicants) were awarded an internship.

RISE hopes to accept as many students as possible for a summer internship in Germany. However this is a scholarship program and there are only limited funds available. Each year we have to turn away many students that apply to this program. In 2011 we hope to have 300 interns. The online database for applicants will be opened on December 6th, 2010.