Most students check their grades before they apply for a research internship. For this one you should check your status first.
The CaCTüS Internship 2027 is a paid research internship at the Max Planck Institutes in Tübingen or Stuttgart in Germany. It pays about €1350 a month for three months. That is about 4050 euros in total. It is open to bachelor and master students worldwide who want hands on research experience in artificial intelligence and neuroscience.
Three rules matter most and none of them is about marks. You must not have started a PhD. The internship must be voluntary and not a course requirement. You must be free for the whole period from 1 July to 30 September 2027. Applications close on Monday 16 November 2026. No time zone is stated so send yours early.
Last Information Checked: 29 October 2026
At a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Programme | CaCTüS (Computation and Cognition Tübingen Summer Internship) |
| Type | Paid research internship |
| Place | Tübingen or Stuttgart Germany (full time and in person) |
| Dates | 1 July to 30 September 2027 |
| Pay | About 1350 euros a month |
| Travel | Travel costs are compensated |
| Places | Up to 12 a year |
| Who can apply | Bachelor and master students worldwide and some graduates |
| Language test | Not required |
| Application fee | Not stated |
| Deadline | Monday 16 November 2026 (time zone not stated) |
About the CaCTüS Programme
CaCTüS has three partners. They are
- Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics
- Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems
- Tübingen AI Center.
The goal is not only to pick top scorers. The programme looks for talented students whose access to research is blocked by personal or financial or regional or social reasons. It says it wants more applicants from low and middle income countries. Students without big barriers can apply too. But if two candidates are equal on paper then the one who shows real barriers gets preference.
This changes how you should write. A normal internship letter says why you are good. This one also needs a plain account of what held you back. Say what you could not learn or do. You may have had no lab or no research group at your university. Keep it true and specific. There are only up to 12 places so a clear story helps.
Also Read: LPI Summer Internship 2027: $13,639 in Support
The Role and Daily Work
Interns join a research project and work with experienced scientists. Topics cover behavioural experiments, machine learning, theoretical neuroscience, data analysis and electrical engineering.
The advert does not describe daily tasks in more detail. Read each project on the official project list before you rank it. You can rank up to two projects. You do not need a supervisor to accept you first. Do not email supervisors to push your case.
Duration and Placement
The internship lasts three months. It is full time and in person in Tübingen or Stuttgart. It runs from 1 July to 30 September 2027. You must attend the whole period. The coordination office helps arrange affordable accommodation.
Enrolment rule for Projects 1 to 4: You must remain enrolled at a university from January to October 2027. If you complete your degree before this period, you may not be eligible for these projects. Master’s graduates who have not started a PhD can still apply in general. Check the eligibility requirements for each project carefully before choosing one.
Skills Wanted
- A background in computing or mathematics or physics or engineering
- Or a background in psychology or cognitive science or neuroscience
- Skills that fit the project you choose
- A strong academic record
- English good enough for research talks and scientific reading
No IELTS or TOEFL certificate is required. Your English is judged through your application and interview.
Internship Benefits
- A monthly salary of about 1350 euros meant to cover living costs, housing and health insurance
- Compensation for your travel costs
Who Can Apply
- You are a bachelor or master student anywhere in the world. Graduates can apply too.
- You have not started a PhD by the time the internship takes place.
- If you have not finished your bachelor degree you must complete at least 4 semesters (two years) before the internship begins.
- You have a strong academic record in a relevant field.
- You can attend the full period from 1 July to 30 September 2027.
- Your internship is voluntary. Placements that need course credits are not eligible.
Required Documents
- An academic CV of two pages
- Transcripts from all your university studies and degree certificates if you have them. Add English translations. Your own translation is accepted at first.
- Answers on your scientific motivation and your past project work.
- One reference letter. This is optional. If you add one then send your referee the upload link from your registration email.
Key Dates
- 21 October 2026: Applications opened
- Monday 16 November 2026: Application deadline (time zone not stated)
- January 2027: Interviews with personal and technical questions
- February 2027: Acceptance notifications
- 1 July 2027: Internship starts
- 30 September 2027: Internship ends
How To Apply
- Read the guide and project list on the official CaCTüS site.
- Choose your projects first. Rank up to two.
- Create an account in the CaCTüS 2027 application portal.
- Prepare your documents as PDFs.
- Write your own ideas and analysis. AI can help polish language only.
- Submit before Monday 16 November 2026. The portal sends a confirmation email when your file is complete. If it does not arrive then treat your application as unfinished.
