CaCTüS Summer Internship Program 2027 in Germany

Overview

The Computation and Cognition Tübingen Summer Internship, known as CaCTüS, is an international research programme offered jointly by the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems and the Tübingen AI Center in Germany.

The programme gives selected university students the opportunity to take part in a three-month research internship in the fields of biological and artificial intelligence. Participants work on research projects under the supervision of experienced scientists and become part of a scientific environment in Tübingen or Stuttgart.

CaCTüS is designed to support talented students who experience personal, financial, regional or societal barriers affecting their access to higher education and scientific research. The programme aims to widen access to research opportunities and encourage students from backgrounds that are underrepresented in the scientific community.

About the CaCTüS Programme

The programme brings together research institutions working on questions related to intelligence, learning, perception, cognition and computational systems. It connects biological research with artificial intelligence and provides participants with an opportunity to understand how scientific questions are investigated in a professional research environment.

Rather than functioning as a conventional classroom course, CaCTüS is centred on practical research. Each selected intern joins a research project and works with the relevant research team. The specific activities depend on the project, its scientific objectives and the methods used by the supervising laboratory.

In addition to research work, the programme includes opportunities to meet scientists and other interns. Complementary activities can include scientific presentation training, application-related workshops, career counselling, visits to research institutes and social events. At the end of the internship, participants have the opportunity to present their work to the scientific community on campus.

Research Areas

The programme covers several areas connected to biological and artificial intelligence. The available projects may involve subjects such as:

• Machine Learning: Computational approaches that allow systems to identify patterns, learn from data and solve research problems.
• Electrical Engineering: Technical methods and systems relevant to intelligent technologies and scientific experiments.
• Theoretical Neuroscience: Mathematical and computational approaches to understanding the brain and neural processes.
• Behavioural Experiments: Research involving behaviour, experimental design, observation and interpretation of results.
• Data Analysis: Methods for processing, analysing and interpreting scientific datasets.
• Cognition and Related Disciplines: Research questions involving learning, perception, decision-making and other aspects of intelligent behaviour.

These areas describe the programme's broad research interests. They should not be treated as a promise that every subject will have a separate internship position in 2027. Applicants should read the actual project descriptions published by the organisers before choosing their preferences.

Understanding the Research Project Selection

Choosing a suitable research project is an important part of the application. Applicants should not select projects only because the topic sounds interesting. They should examine the research question, methods, expected background and skills described for each project.

For example, a student with programming, mathematics or data-analysis experience may be interested in a computational research project. Someone with a background in psychology, neuroscience or cognitive science may find a project involving cognition or behavioural experiments more relevant. These are only examples; the requirements of each advertised project determine whether an applicant is a suitable match.

The application allows candidates to express their motivation for up to two specific projects, arranged in order of preference. Applicants should explain why they are interested in each selected project and identify relevant knowledge or experience they can contribute.

Before making a choice, applicants should read the official project descriptions carefully. A well-considered project preference can help demonstrate that the applicant understands the research and has a genuine reason for applying.

Who Is This Internship Most Suitable For?

The CaCTüS Internship may be particularly relevant to undergraduate and master's students who want practical experience in scientific research but have faced barriers to accessing advanced research environments.

Students studying computer science, mathematics, engineering, neuroscience, psychology, cognitive science and related disciplines may find suitable projects, depending on the research opportunities available for the 2027 cohort.

This programme is especially worth considering for students who:

• Want to pursue a future career in scientific research or continue to postgraduate study.
• Have academic, technical or project experience related to one of the advertised research topics.
• Want to learn how research teams investigate scientific questions and analyse results.
• Are interested in working in an international research environment.
• Have experienced financial, geographical, personal or societal barriers to accessing higher education or research opportunities.

Applicants should assess their own background against the official eligibility conditions and the requirements of their preferred projects. Being interested in the programme does not automatically mean that an applicant qualifies.

Preparing a Strong Application

Applicants should prepare an accurate account of their academic background, previous projects and research interests. Their CV should make it easy for reviewers to understand their education, relevant skills, achievements and experience. The official application guide recommends a CV of no more than two pages.

The motivational statement is an important part of the application. It asks applicants to explain their general interest in a scientific career, describe a previous project, discuss their preferred research projects and explain circumstances that constrain their access to higher education at an internationally recognised institution.

When describing previous work, applicants should focus on their actual contribution. They can explain the problem they worked on, the methods or tools they used, what they learned and how the experience relates to their research interests. Applicants should avoid claiming skills or achievements they cannot demonstrate.

The statement about educational barriers should be truthful and specific. Applicants do not need to invent difficulties or use dramatic language. They should explain their own circumstances clearly and describe how those circumstances have affected their access to education or research opportunities.

Selection Process

The programme uses a selection process that includes an initial review of applications, evaluation by relevant research project teams and interviews for shortlisted candidates.

Shortlisted applicants may be invited to a virtual interview covering personal motivation and technical questions. Candidates who are selected after the interview receive an official internship offer by email.

Submitting an application does not guarantee an interview or a placement. Selection depends on the quality and completeness of the application, the suitability of the candidate for the selected research projects and the programme's assessment process.

Visa and Practical Planning

Applicants who are selected and need a visa to travel to Germany should begin considering the visa process as early as possible. The organisers state that they can provide support to accepted students who require a visa, but they cannot guarantee that a visa will be issued in time for the internship.

Visa processing times can vary depending on the applicant's circumstances and the relevant authorities. Applicants should therefore avoid making non-refundable travel arrangements before receiving the necessary approval and official instructions.

2027 Application Timeline

The official programme timeline lists the following key dates for the 2027 cohort:

• Application portal opens: 21 October 2026.
• Application deadline: 16 November 2026.
• Interviews: January 2027.
• Acceptance notifications: February 2027.
• Internship begins: 1 July 2027.
• Internship ends: 30 September 2027.

The internship runs for 90 days. The organisers state that the dates and duration are not flexible because of visa-related restrictions.

Important Information for Applicants

Applications must be submitted through the official CaCTüS application portal. The organisers do not assess applications sent by email or through third-party providers. Applicants should also avoid contacting individual supervisors or laboratories to promote their applications.

Completing registration is not the same as submitting a complete application. Applicants must fill in all required information, upload the requested documents and complete the final submission process. The application portal sends an automatic confirmation email when the application is complete. If that email does not arrive, applicants should check their application because it may still be incomplete.

The organisers allow AI tools to help improve the clarity, grammar and style of written language. However, applicants must not use AI to generate their ideas, develop concepts or produce the original intellectual contributions in their application. Their motivation, analysis and substantive content must be their own.

Applicants should always use the official programme website and application portal for the latest instructions, project descriptions and application updates.

Official programme information: CaCTüS official programme website

Available research projects: View the project list on the official programme page

Application portal: CaCTüS 2027 online application