Max Planck Computer Science Internships (Fully Funded)
The Max Planck Institutes for Informatics, Software Systems, and Security and Privacy offer fully funded research internships in all areas of Computer Science. Interns work directly with an assigned faculty mentor, receive support for living costs, housing, and round-trip travel, and usually complete internships lasting 12 to 14 weeks.
Quick Overview
Programme: Internships at Max Planck Institutes in Computer Science
Opportunity Type: Research Internship
Host Institutions: Max Planck Institute for Informatics, Max Planck Institute for Software Systems, and Max Planck Institute for Security and Privacy
Location: Saarbruecken, Kaiserslautern, and Bochum
Programme Format: Research internship with an assigned faculty mentor
Duration: Typically 12 to 14 weeks; longer internships are possible
Funding: Fully funded, covering living costs, housing, and round-trip travel costs
Eligibility: Exceptional Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral students worldwide, as well as exceptional individuals from industry
About the Max Planck Computer Science Internships
The Max Planck Computer Science Internships give selected applicants the opportunity to pursue research at participating Max Planck Institutes. The internships are available in all areas of Computer Science.
Each intern works directly with an assigned faculty mentor. Internship projects are based on the intern’s academic interests, maturity, and prior experience.
The programme is also suitable for students who want to explore research or new research areas for the first time.
Participating Institutes
The official page lists three participating institutes:
• Max Planck Institute for Informatics in Saarbruecken
• Max Planck Institute for Software Systems in Kaiserslautern and Saarbruecken
• Max Planck Institute for Security and Privacy in Bochum
Applicants may specify preferred faculty members or research groups in the application. However, the application may also be considered by other research groups.
What the Internship Offers
Interns gain hands-on experience in academic Computer Science research. They work closely with research groups and may be mentored by faculty members, doctoral students, and postdocs.
Internship projects are not listed in advance. Instead, the mentor and intern decide on a suitable project after selection.
Successful internships often result in coauthored publications at academic conferences.
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Benefits and Financial Coverage
All admitted interns receive financial support during the programme.
Confirmed benefits include:
✓ Monthly stipend sufficient to cover living costs
✓ Housing costs covered during the internship
✓ Round-trip travel costs covered from the intern’s habitual residence to the hosting institute and back
✓ Direct mentorship by an assigned faculty mentor
✓ English-speaking, multicultural, and diverse working environment
The official page states that all internships are fully funded.
Eligibility Criteria
The internships are open to applicants with strong Computer Science backgrounds and an interest in academic research.
Eligible applicants include:
• Exceptional Bachelor’s students
• Exceptional Master’s students
• Exceptional Doctoral students
• Exceptional individuals from industry interested in academic Computer Science research
• Students looking for Bachelor’s or Master’s thesis projects
• Pre-doctoral students exploring Computer Science research
Applicants are expected to have a basic background in Computer Science. This means roughly the first three years of a standard Computer Science Bachelor’s programme by the start of the internship.
Applicants with interdisciplinary interests may apply if their primary internship focus is the application of those areas to Computer Science.
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Academic and Language Requirements
Applicants are expected to have an excellent academic record, regardless of its length. The selection process is merit-based and highly competitive.
Professional fluency in English is required. Proof of English fluency is not required, but applicants may be interviewed in English before a decision is made.
Knowledge of German is not required. The participating institutes use English as their working language.
Internship Duration and Start Dates
A typical internship lasts 12 to 14 weeks. Longer internships are also possible.
Internships can be completed at any time of the year. However, most interns start during the summer months.
The official page separates applications into two timing categories:
• Internships starting between May and August
• Internships starting between January and April or between September and December
For summer internships, the admissions process is strict. For internships outside summer, applications are reviewed based on project availability and the needs of research groups.
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Required Documents
Applicants must submit their application online and prepare the required materials.
The official page states that applicants need:
• CV
• Transcripts
• Contact information for at least one reference
• Optional motivation letter
Applicants may also optionally indicate faculty members they would like to work with and the period during which they would like to intern.
Unofficial transcripts and unofficial English translations are accepted. If transcripts are not written in English, applicants should upload the original transcript and an English translation together in a single PDF file.
Application Process
All applications must be submitted online. Application materials are not accepted by email.
The application process includes:
• Complete the online application form.
• Upload the required application materials.
• Provide contact information for at least one reference.
• Optionally indicate preferred faculty members and internship period.
• Wait for review by research groups at participating institutes.
• Complete a phone interview if contacted.
• Receive the outcome by email.
If selected, the intern is connected with the assigned faculty mentor. They then finalize the exact internship dates and project.
Selection Process
Research groups at participating institutes review applications. During the review period, applicants may be contacted for a phone interview.
Selection is merit-based and competitive. The official page states that merit is defined broadly and includes coursework, skills, reference letters, and prior research experience.
Prior research experience is not always required. The final selection depends on a match with research groups looking for interns.
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Application Deadlines
The application deadline depends on the intended internship start period.
For internships starting between May and August, applicants should apply by November 1 of the previous year.
For internships starting outside the summer months, there is no fixed deadline. Applicants should apply at least five months before their intended start date.
For summer internship applications, successful applicants should hear back before February 1. For other internship periods, applicants who do not hear back within four months should assume they were not selected.
Official Link
Submit your application through the official application link below.
Apply for Internships at Max Planck Institutes in Computer Science
