Are you a science student looking for internships outside India? Foreign internships are a great way to explore a field and experience the culture of a country. Getting a foreign internship is prestigious and enhances your resume along with your skills. If you are looking for such internships, you might also be worried about the scholarships and the eligibility criteria for these internships. If so, then this blog is for you.
In this blog, we will discuss:
- Popular internships
- Steps to secure an internship
DAAD WISE (Germany):
This program is for Indian students pursuing Basic Science and Engineering. It provides excellent opportunities to students who wish to research at a publicly funded German higher education institution or a research institute. Students in the third or fourth year of the five-year and third year of their four-year degrees are eligible for this. There is also a minimum CGPA requirement, which you can check on their official website for your respective field.
Search for the guides/professors under whom you want to intern, but your guide must not be from a private institution. The program is of 60-90 days. It is necessary to obtain a “No Objection Certificate” for the entire duration of the internship from the home institute, a Letter of Recommendation (LOR), a research proposal, a passport, an approval form by your German Host, and proficiency in the English language are some essential things required for the program.
A monthly scholarship of Rs.76,304.40 (860 Euros), travel subsidy, and health and accident insurance are covered by DAAD. The application procedure starts six weeks before the application deadline.
MITACS Globalink Research Internship (Germany):
The Globalink internship by Mitacs offers internships to undergraduate students or students of joint bachelor’s and master’s programs. The students applying to this internship need to be fluent in English or French language. The students applying should have at least 3 semesters to complete their current studies. This is considered a good foreign internship for Indian engineering and science students.
The student needs to apply for the internship between August and September. A stipend of CAD 6575 + health insurance, round-trip airfare to Canada, and housing are provided. The internship is for 12 weeks.
Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship(SURF), Caltech:
This program is one of the most salient features of Caltech. It provides incredible opportunities for students to work under top researchers in their fields of choice. SURF offers internships in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Engineering, Earth & Climate Science, and Mathematics. Students at a second or higher level in their degree and with an excellent academic record can apply for this program.
The application process for this 10-week-long program closes in February. Applicants need to contact a mentor/researcher who can agree to guide them before submitting their application. A research proposal and two letters of recommendation are required while submitting the application form.
Fellows receive about Rs.6.5 lacs ($7740) for a period of 10 weeks. The selected students get the chance to interact with scientists of JPL(Jet Propulsion Laboratory, NASA), work on a research project, and have other social interactions with the top researchers and students from various communities worldwide.
CHARPAK (France):
Charpak is the French government scholarship program in India. The scholarship program is divided into three sub-programs: Bachelor, Master, and Lab. It allows Indian students to study at undergraduate or postgraduate levels in public and private institutions in France. You can apply for any subject under this program.
The application process starts in February and ends in April. Though the letter of recommendation is optional, it is advantageous if you get one. There is no minimum CGPA requirement, and the selection is based on the candidate’s application. The selected students get a maximum allowance of about Rs. 62,874 (700 euros), a student visa, and assistance in accommodation.
Khorana Program for Scholars, Indo-US Science & Technology Forum:-
The program is named in honour of Dr Har Gobind Khorana, who won the Nobel Prize for his work at the interface of Chemistry and Biology. It aims to provide research opportunities to Indian students at leading U.S. universities, like MIT, over summers for 10-12 weeks.
The application process usually closes in January. Pre-final year students of B.Tech./M.Tech./B.Sc./M.Sc./B.E./M.E./M.S./Integrated BS-M.S./MBBS.at recognised institutions of higher education in India in Biotechnology and allied areas are eligible to apply.
The Khorana scholarship covers a stipend along with health insurance and round-trip airfare costs for applicants. The stipend is US$3,000 for the whole internship duration of 10-12 weeks. A temporary bank account has to be opened by the scholar in proximity to the host institution in the US. If you are interested in advancing Bio-technology, you must consider applying for this program.
Steps to Secure an Internship:
- Research and Shortlist: Identify programs that align with your academic interests and career goals. Make a list of potential internships, noting their application deadlines and requirements.
- Prepare Your Application: Gather necessary documents such as your resume, academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a statement of purpose. Tailor your application to highlight relevant skills and experiences.
- Apply: Submit your application well before the deadline. Ensure all required documents are included and properly formatted.
- Follow-Up: After submitting your application, follow up with the program coordinators to confirm receipt and check for any additional requirements.
Check out this blog to know more about paid internship opportunities.
Conclusion:
Getting a foreign internship in science opens door to awesome research opportunities, global networking, and enhanced career goals. With numerous programs offering funding and a range of research areas, you as an Indian students have ample opportunities to explore. You must go through the official websites of these programs to understand the details of the program and analyse which one would be the best for you; then apply to the program accordingly.
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