Ready to join us for an exciting summer of research in robotics? Below you will find everything you need to know to apply for the RIGI program, including the timeline, portal, documents, selection process, and a list of available projects.
Timeline
The RIGI application portal is open between October 20 to November 20, 2025.
Here’s what the application cycle looks like:
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Call opens
October 20
The online application portal becomes available, and project descriptions are published.
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Application deadline
November 20
All application materials must be submitted by the deadline in November through the application portal for consideration.
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Interviews
December-January
Shortlisted candidates are invited to virtual interviews with potential mentors.
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Final decisions
February
Selected applicants receive their offers and confirm participation.
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Internships begin
Flexible start and end dates, with July as the core month
Start and end dates vary by project and availability, but all interns are expected to be on-site during July for core program activities.
Required Documents
Please follow the steps in the application form. You will need to upload the following documents as part of your application:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Academic transcripts and certificates
Optional: You may also include reference letters, other certificates, proof of student status or other materials that support your application. All documents must be submitted in English or accompanied by an English translation.
Note on use of AI tools: Applicants may use language tools or AI systems to improve clarity and grammar in their application materials, but the content and ideas must be their own. The use of AI to generate or compose full application texts is not permitted.
Application process: All applications must be submitted through the official RIGI application portal. Please do not contact supervisors or mentors to promote your application or send applications by email. Once you have completed your application through the portal, rest assured that the relevant project teams will review it. If you have questions about the program or the application process, reach out to the RIGI Coordination Team at rigi@is.mpg.de.
List of Available Projects
For summer 2026, RIGI is offering 18 exciting projects across diverse fields, including biomechanics, biomedical, mechanical and electrical engineering, haptics, human–computer interaction, materials science, medical imaging, and robotics, among many others. Please review the projects carefully and select up to two on the application portal, with your top choice first. You must apply to at least one project, and may optionally select a second. In the application form, you will also need to write a short motivation for each project you are applying to (Motivation, 80 words), as well as describe how your background matches the technical skills required for the project (Requirements, 80 words). You can access the list of available projects below.