CaCTuS Internship 2027 in Germany | Fully Funded

CaCTuS Internship 2027 is a fully-funded three-month research internship for Bachelor and Master students focused on machine learning, neuroscience, and cognition. The CaCTuS Internship provides paid summer placements in Tübingen where successful applicants work on research projects with leading scientists.

The program is run by the Max Planck Institutes in Tübingen (Biological Cybernetics and Intelligent Systems) together with the Tübingen AI Center and partners. It aims to support students — especially those from low- and middle-income countries or underrepresented backgrounds — with funding, travel support, and mentorship.

CaCTuS Internship Benefits

• Fully funded internship.
• Monthly salary of approximately €1,350 to cover living expenses, accommodation, and health insurance.
• Accommodation arranged by the Internship Coordination Office.
• Compensation for travel costs.
• Health insurance coverage.

CaCTuS Internship Eligibility Criteria

• Must be a motivated student facing personal, financial, regional, or societal barriers to accessing high-quality higher education.
• Must not have started a PhD degree before the internship.
• Undergraduate students who have not completed their Bachelor’s degree must have completed at least four semesters (two years) of study before the internship begins.
• Applicants for Projects 1–4 must remain enrolled at an academic institution from January to October 2027. Applicants for other projects must be enrolled or hold at least a Bachelor’s degree and provide proof of qualification by March 2027.
• Must have a strong academic record.
• Must have an academic background relevant to the selected project, such as computer science, mathematics, physics, engineering, psychology, cognitive science, or neuroscience.
• Must have a good command of English and be able to express their motivation.
• Must demonstrate strong reasons why access to high-quality higher education is constrained.
• Must be available for the full 90-day internship between July 1 and September 30, 2027.
• Must undertake the internship voluntarily; applicants who require course credits as a mandatory course requirement are not eligible.
• Applications from students in underrepresented low- and middle-income countries are particularly encouraged.
• Women are explicitly encouraged to apply.

How to Apply for CaCTuS Internship

• Visit the Official Application Portal and submit your application online.
• Prepare a motivational statement explaining your interest in science and the internship, your previous project experience, your motivation for up to two preferred projects, and the personal, financial, regional, or societal factors that limit your access to higher education.
• Prepare the required documents: CV (maximum 2 pages), academic transcripts from all university studies, degree certificates, if available, one reference letter (optional).
• Review the Application Guide and Example CV before submitting your application.
• Explore the Available Projects for 2027 and select up to two projects in order of preference.
• Submit your complete application through the official online portal before the deadline. Applications sent by email or through third-party providers will not be considered.
• Check your email for an automatic confirmation from the application portal. If you do not receive the confirmation, your application has not been fully submitted and must be completed before the deadline.
• Note: AI tools may be used to improve the clarity, grammar, and style of your writing, but they must not generate your ideas, concepts, or original intellectual contributions. All substantive content must be your own.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are the most frequently asked questions about the CaCTuS Internship scholarship. These answers cover eligibility, benefits, key dates, and how to apply based on the official program information.