Research Internship Program
You are a motivated international student interested in gaining research experience in Germany? Then the Research Internship Program (RI Program) is perfect for you! It offers you the opportunity to become part of a THA research group and contribute to a project. You’ll work full-time for 1–3 months in an English-speaking environment, and if you wish—and with the approval of your home institution—you can have your internship recognized, for example, in the form of ECTS.
Program Overview
- Open to international students (enrolled outside of Germany) in a master’s program or in a bachelor’s program beyond the second semester
- Workload of 40 hours per week
- Many exciting projects from the various departments at THA are available to choose from
- Internship duration of 1, 2, or 3 months
- Flexible start date
- Internship completely in English (no German required)
- Enrollment at THA possible
- Funding through scholarship (STIBET) possible
- Internship may be recognized as academic credit (depending on sending university)
Research Projects - Overview
Two options: With or without enrollment at THA
To register or not to register—that is the question! The RI program allows for both options! You can find the differences between the two options in the table below.
| With enrollment at THA | Without enrollment at THA |
|---|---|
| Academic record available in the form of a ToR (Transcript of Records) | A ToR cannot be issued, but other documents such as letters of recommendation or confirmation of the internship can be provided |
| Student benefits such as public transportation passes, library access, reduced prices in the cafeteria, discounts, etc. | No student benefits |
| Payment of the semester fee (~€200) required | No semester fee required |
| Application deadlines: January 18 for the summer semester (March 15–September 30) or August 1 for the winter semester (October 1–March 14) | Applications accepted at any time (please note processing time) |
If you're unsure which option to choose, we recommend selecting the “With enrollment at THA” option, provided there is still time to do so.
How can I apply?
Has a project caught your interest and you'd like to apply? Here's how!
Step 1: Choose a project and time slot
Before you contact us, think carefully about which project from the list you’d like to apply for and what time frame (start and end dates) you have in mind for your internship. Typically, an internship can last one, two, or three months. After consulting with us, you can also choose a different internship duration, as long as it doesn’t exceed 90 days. If you’re not sure which project to choose, or if you’re worried that a project might already be taken, you can also send us a list (preferably with your preferences) of the projects you’re interested in.
Step 2: One email is all it takes!
Once you’ve made your decision and want to apply, simply send an email to the RI coordinator, Frederic Wagner (luiz.frederic.wagner(at)tha.de), as well as to the project supervisor (only if you’ve chosen just one project). The email should include the following:
- Information about yourself, i.e., your name, country of birth, place of residence, home university (+ location), field of study, and your current semester or academic year
- your project or a list of your projects
- Planned start and end dates
- Whether or not you’d like to be enrolled at THA
The RI coordinator and the project supervisor will then decide whether we can offer you an internship. To make this decision, you may be asked for your resume or transcripts, so it’s best to have both ready or include them directly in your email.
Step 3: Time for the Details
If we can offer you an internship, we—the RI coordinator, the project supervisor, and you—will schedule a Zoom meeting to clarify the organizational details and the next steps. And don’t worry: there isn’t much paperwork, and you’re welcome to ask questions about any document.
How long before my internship is scheduled to begin should I apply?
That depends largely on whether you want to enroll at THA and whether you are an EU citizen. The following table provides an overview:
| With enrollment at THA | Without enrollment at THA | |
|---|---|---|
| EU citizen | At least 3 months before the start of the internship, but always before the application deadline (January 18 for summer and August 1 for winter) | At least 3 months before the start of the internship |
| Non-EU citizen | At least 4 months before the start of the internship, but always before the application deadline (January 18 for summer and August 1 for winter) | At least 4 months before the internship begins |
How can I pay for my internship?
Let's get the bad news out of the way first: As an intern, you'll be working for us without pay.
But now for the good news: There are still ways to finance your internship. For example, you can check the DAAD’s scholarship database to see if there are any scholarships that suit you and your situation. In addition, as part of the DAAD’s STIBET program, we offer scholarships specifically for participants in the RI program. The scholarship amounts to between €250 and €500 per month for a period of 1 to 3 months. You can find more information in the following call for applications:
Call for Applications: STIBET Scholarships for RI Program Participants
Scholarships for Research Interns in the 2026 Calendar Year
The International Office (IO) at the Technical University of Applied Sciences Augsburg (THA) awards scholarships to participants in the Research Internship (RI) program, subject to the availability of funding. Please note: The scholarships offered generally exclude simultaneous dual funding through scholarships or similar programs from Erasmus or the DAAD!
Funding
The scholarships are awarded as part of the DAAD program “STIBET I - Stipendien- und Betreuungsprogramm für internationale Studierende und Doktoranden” and are funded by the German Federal Foreign Office.
Type of Scholarship
The scholarships offered are partial scholarships amounting to a maximum of 500 € per month for a maximum duration of 3 months. A selection committee at THA determines the duration and amount of funding, taking into account the respective eligibility criteria.
Eligible applicants are participants in the RI program of THA whose home university is a THA partner or with which a partnership is being considered.
Eligibility Criteria
- Personal qualifications
- Financial need
- Academic performance
Documentation supporting the respective funding criteria must be kept on hand and submitted upon request, if necessary. In cases of comparable qualifications, preference will be given to students who have not yet received funding from the Technical University of Applied Sciences Augsburg at the time of application.
Application
A prerequisite is a successful application to the RI program of THA. Applications for the scholarships offered are submitted using a separate application form, which is available upon request from the RI Program Coordinator, Frederic Wagner. This form must be filled out and sent to the RI Program Coordinator. During the application process, applicants may be asked to fill out additional forms or submit supporting documents (e.g., regarding the eligibility criteria). Applicants are urged to be prepared for this and to remain available on short notice.
Selection Process
A selection committee at THA decides on the award of scholarships, taking into account the funding criteria as well as the requirements of the funding agency. This committee determines the duration and amount of the funding. The selection committee consists of representatives from the International Office.
Preliminary selection is generally based on the application materials. The final selection may be made on the basis of personal interviews. Selection interviews will not be conducted if it is evident from the written materials submitted that a particular person is clearly the most suitable applicant.
Scholarships are awarded subject to the availability of funds—there is no legal entitlement to them! Students will be notified of the results via email.
Application Deadline
Applications may be submitted at any time until October 1, 2026, as long as funds are available.
RI coordinator: Frederic Wagner
How do I find an apartment in Germany, and how do I get a visa?
Unfortunately, the housing market in Augsburg is quite challenging. On top of that, the THA does not own any apartments that we could offer you for rent. We therefore advise you to start looking for housing as early and thoroughly as possible. You can find general information as well as tips and tricks on housing here.
An important note: If you’re staying in Germany for less than 90 days—which applies to participants in the RI program—you don’t need to register your residence with the citizens’ office or pay the public broadcasting fee.
If you’re coming from outside the EU, you should also start thinking about your visa well in advance. You can find general information on visas and studying here.
The visa requirements for a stay of up to 90 days may differ from those for a regular exchange semester in Germany. A student visa may not be required for citizens of certain countries. Depending on the country, a tourist visa issued with a visa stamp is considered sufficient or no visa at all is required and a valid passport suffices. Please also note that these regulations change starting on the 91st day of your stay.
Please contact your study abroad advisor to clarify whether, based on your nationality, you need a student visa to participate in the RI program.
For more information on visa-free entry, see the overview of visa requirements and exemptions for entry into the Federal Republic of Germany.