Fully Funded Max Planck Internship 2026 in Germany: Prestigious Research Opportunity for Global Students

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An internship at one of the Max Planck Institutes in computer science represents a rare opportunity to engage in world-class research, working closely with outstanding faculty, doctoral candidates, and postdoctoral researchers. The participating institutes — MPI for Informatics in Saarbrücken, MPI for Software Systems in Saarbrücken and Kaiserslautern, and MPI for Security and Privacy in Bochum — welcome exceptional candidates at various academic levels to contribute to cutting-edge projects across all domains of computer science.

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Who Can Apply?

Internships are open to exceptional Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral students worldwide, as well as highly qualified individuals from industry eager to gain exposure to academic research. Even students seeking to complete their Bachelor’s or Master’s thesis may opt to convert their internship into a thesis project, provided their home institution permits it. Pre-doctoral interns benefit from exploring the research career path before committing to a Ph.D.

Applications from students with interdisciplinary interests—spanning social sciences, economics, law, humanities, and related fields—are particularly encouraged. The Max Planck Society also welcomes applicants from underrepresented STEM groups, reflecting its commitment to diversity in research.

The Research Experience

Interns work directly with an assigned faculty mentor and become integral members of research teams. Rather than offering predefined project lists, the institutes tailor impactful, bespoke opportunities based on each candidate’s academic background, maturity, and interests. This adaptive approach maximizes learning and research outcomes.

The internship setting is English-speaking, multicultural, and collaborative, fostering an inclusive environment where interns become fully immersed in the scientific community. Furthermore, successful internships frequently culminate in coauthored publications in top-tier academic conferences—a fantastic stepping stone for pursuing a research career.

Funding & Duration

All internships are fully funded, covering:

A stipend for living expenses
Housing costs
Round-trip travel from the intern’s habitual residence to the institute and back

The standard duration ranges from 12 to 14 weeks, typically during the summer months, although longer internships may be arranged for candidates who wish to extend their involvement.

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Key Deadlines & Application Process

If aiming for a summer internship (starting between May and August), applicants must apply by November 1 of the preceding year. Successful candidates often receive notification by March 1. Internships planned for other times of the year require submission at least five months in advance, with decisions typically communicated within 3–4 months.

Applications are submitted online via the official portal. Required documents include:

Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Academic transcripts
Contact information for at least one reference (letters of recommendation may be requested later)
Optional motivation letter
Optional indication of preferred faculty or desired internship period

Once submitted, research groups review applications and may reach out for an interview. Upon selection, interns connect with their mentors to finalize project details and scheduling.

Why Choose a Max Planck Internship in Computer Science?

These internships offer a unique combination of research rigor, mentorship, and professional development, embedded within one of the world’s most prestigious non-university research organizations. Interns join a global network, access cutting-edge facilities, and are supported in a culturally enriching environment. Even though the Max Planck Institutes don’t confer degrees, they foster highly valuable research experiences and collaborations, often leading directly into doctoral studies or research careers.

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Summary Table

Feature	Details
Institutes	MPI Informatics; MPI Software Systems; MPI Security and Privacy
Eligibility	Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral, industry; interdisciplinary applicants
Duration	12–14 weeks (extensions possible)
Funding	Stipend, housing, travel fully covered
Application Deadline	November 1 for summer; 5 months ahead for other periods
Outcome Potential	Coauthored publications; strong pathway for academic research careers