To all international students with an interest in astronomy, do you want to have an immersive research experience in one of the world’s leading research centers in Germany, with all your finances covered? Well, if it’s a Yes! Here is an exciting opportunity. Applications are open for the Max Planck MPIA Summer Internship 2026. MPIA, also known as the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy, through its official portal, has announced applications for its flagship “Student Summer Internship“ and is seeking applications from talented and motivated students with an interest in Astronomy.
The MPIA internship is exclusively designed for students currently pursuing their Bachelor’s or master’s degree programs at recognized institutes in any part of the world, to experience cutting-edge research and instrumental development in Astronomy. Students enrolled in the PhD degree programs are not eligible for the internship. It’s a full-time in-person three-month internship, during which the selected students will be invitied to carry out a research project in various topics at MPIA, Heidelberg, Germany.
The student internship will be conducted in the English language, removing the language barrier for international students. The programme encourages applications from students from all countries and backgrounds; however, preference will be given to the students from underrepresented groups in astronomy, ethnic minority, applicants with disabilities, and college students. Read more details about the MPIA Internship below
Max Planck MPIA Summer Internship 2026 in Germany: Overview
| Host Country | Germany |
|---|---|
| Location | MPIA Heidelberg |
| Eligible Countries | All Nationals |
| Internship Dates | May – September 2026 |
| Duration | 3 Months |
| Coverage | Fully Funded |
| Application Deadline | January 15th, 2026 |
Also, Check: CERN Short Term Internship 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following criteria to be eligible for the MPIA summer internship:
- The Max Planck Institute is inviting applications from all nationalities
- Students currently pursuing Bachelor’s or Master’s degree programs in the areas related to physics, astronomy, engineering, computer science, or related fields
- Enrolled in the recognized accredited institutions
- Students in a Bachelor’s degree must have completed 4 semesters
- Students must remain enrolled throughout the internship
- Individuals graduated or are enrolled in a PhD program are not eligible
- Must hold excellent academic standing throughout the degree program
- Demonstrate research interest in Astronomy
- Commit to full-time participation in the internship duringthe programme dates
Internship Coverage
The Max Planck Institute offers generous support to its interns. The coverage includes:
- A monthly stipend of approx. €1,000 to cover living allowance.
- Air travel costs to/from Heidelberg for participation
- Administrative assistance for accommodation
Benefits
- Interns will recieve world-class mentorship from leading scientists
- Gain hands-on research experience while conducting real-time research
- Exposure to advanced research methodologies
- Hands-on training under the mentorship of experts and scientists
- High-quality research leads to publication at major conferences
Required Documents
- Current Resume/CV not exceeding three pages
- One Page Research Statement
- Unofficial Degree Transcript
- Transcript Attachment Form
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How to Apply for Max Planck MPIA Internship?
The application process is online via the official MPIA portal. Interested applicants meeting the required criteria can indicate the top 5 preferred research projects (Check the list), register on the MPIA application portal, fill out the details, attach the documents, and submit.
Deadline: Applications are due by Janaury 15th, 2026.
To apply and for more details, visit the official link below:
APPLY FOR MPIA STUDENT SUMMER INTERNSHIP 2026
For more exciting summer internship programmes, you can visit our internship category
