The IIT Kanpur RISE Winter Internship 2026 is a four-week virtual research internship for international students who want to work with faculty at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur. Applications are currently open for the December 2026 winter internship, with the application deadline set for 7 October2026.
RISE, or Research Internships in Science & Engineering, gives eligible international students an opportunity to work on research projects under IIT Kanpur faculty mentorship. Students can apply for up to two available projects based on their academic background and research interests.
The RISE programme has two modules. The current IIT Kanpur Winter Internship is conducted virtually for four weeks in December 2026. It is followed by a six to eight-week offline summer internship at IIT Kanpur between May and July (next year).
About IIT Kanpur RISE Internship
RISE at IIT Kanpur is a research internship programme for international students. RISE stands for Research Internships in Science & Engineering and enables eligible students from universities outside India to undertake research under the mentorship of IIT Kanpur faculty.
The programme is organised by the Office of International Relations, IIT Kanpur. It is structured around two internship modules: a virtual winter internship and an in-person summer internship at IIT Kanpur.
For the current cycle, the RISE Winter Virtual Internship 2026 will run for four weeks in December 2026. The second module is a six to eight-week in-person summer internship scheduled between May and July (next year).
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IITK RISE Winter Internship 2026 Overview
| Programme | Research Internships in Science & Engineering (RISE) |
| Institute | Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur) |
| Internship | RISE Winter Virtual Internship 2026 |
| Duration | 4 weeks |
| Internship Period | December 2026 |
| Mode | Virtual |
| Eligible Students | International students enrolled in Bachelor’s or Master’s programmes |
| Maximum Projects | Up to 2 projects |
| Winter Internship Stipend | No stipend |
| Application Deadline | 7 October 2026 |
| Summer Module | 6 to 8 weeks, offline at IIT Kanpur between May and July 2027 |
Eligibility Criteria for IIT Kanpur RISE Internship
The IIT Kanpur RISE Internship is specifically intended for international students. Applicants should check both the general RISE requirements and the eligibility conditions attached to the research project they want to apply for.
- Nationality: Applicants should be non-Indian nationals.
- Current enrolment: Students must be enrolled in a Bachelor’s or Master’s programme at their home university.
- Academic standing: Applicants should have a strong academic record and an interest in research.
- Remaining study period: Students should have at least one semester remaining in their academic programme after completing the internship.
- Project eligibility: Applicants must meet any academic, technical or subject-specific requirements specified for their selected research project.
- Language: Applicants should be comfortable communicating in English.
Meeting the general eligibility criteria does not automatically qualify a student for every available project. Individual IIT Kanpur faculty members may specify additional academic or project-specific requirements for the research opportunities they offer.
Students can apply for a maximum of two RISE research projects. Applicants should therefore select projects that closely match their academic background, technical skills and research interests.
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Duration and Internship Mode
The IIT Kanpur RISE programme has two research internship modules. The winter internship is conducted virtually, while the summer internship provides an in-person research experience at the IIT Kanpur campus.
| Internship Module | Duration | Period | Mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| RISE Winter Internship | 4 weeks | December 2026 | Virtual |
| RISE Summer Internship | 6 to 8 weeks | May to July 2027 | In-person at IIT Kanpur |
Students selected for the RISE Winter Virtual Internship 2026 do not need to travel to IIT Kanpur. Since research meetings and project work take place online, participants are required to have access to reliable high-speed internet.
The winter internship does not carry a stipend. However, students who successfully complete the winter module may receive preference during selection for the subsequent RISE Summer Internship.
Important: Preference for the summer internship does not mean automatic selection. The summer module has its own selection process and project-specific requirements.
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Research Projects and Faculty Mentorship
Research projects are at the centre of the IIT Kanpur RISE Internship. When applications open, IIT Kanpur publishes a list of available research projects and faculty members for the internship cycle.
Applicants can review the available projects and choose those that match their academic background, research interests and project-specific eligibility requirements. Each student can apply for a maximum of two projects through the RISE application form.
Selected students work under the mentorship of IIT Kanpur faculty members. The exact research work, technical requirements and expected outcomes depend on the project and faculty supervisor selected for that internship cycle.
This makes it important to read the individual project description before applying rather than selecting a project only by its broader research area. Faculty members review applications for their projects and may also conduct an online interview or additional screening before selection.
Application Tip: You can select up to two projects, so compare the project eligibility, required skills and research focus before submitting your choices. IIT Kanpur states that multiple applications from the same student may be rejected.
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Documents Required for IIT Kanpur RISE Internship
Applicants need to submit academic and supporting documents with the IIT Kanpur RISE Internship application. Prepare these documents before starting the online form so that the information can be checked carefully before submission.
- Statement of Purpose: A maximum 400-word SOP explaining your research interests and motivation for participating in the RISE internship.
- Updated CV: A current curriculum vitae outlining your education, skills, research exposure and other relevant experience.
- Academic Transcripts: Official academic records or transcripts from your home university. Documents should be translated into English where applicable.
- Proof of Nationality: A document establishing the applicant’s nationality.
- Letter of Recommendation: A recommendation from a faculty member or supervisor.
- Passport-size Photograph: A recent photograph for the application.
The Statement of Purpose is particularly relevant because RISE selection considers the applicant’s academic background, research motivation and fit with the selected project. Keep the SOP within the prescribed 400-word limit and connect your research interests directly with the project you are applying for.
Before submitting: Review the completed application carefully. IIT Kanpur’s RISE application guidance states that students should submit only one application, and multiple applications from the same applicant may be rejected.
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IIT Kanpur RISE Internship Selection Process
Selection for the IIT Kanpur RISE Winter Internship is based on the applicant’s academic profile, research interests and suitability for the selected research project. Applications are evaluated in coordination with the IIT Kanpur faculty members offering the projects.
- Application screening: Submitted applications and supporting documents are reviewed for eligibility and completeness.
- Faculty review: IIT Kanpur faculty members review applications received for their respective research projects.
- Online interview: Faculty members may conduct an online interview with shortlisted applicants where required.
- Final selection: After the faculty evaluation, the Office of International Relations communicates the final selection results to successful applicants.
Applicants should therefore make sure that their CV, academic records and Statement of Purpose clearly demonstrate their research interests and relevance to the projects they select.
Read Also: IIT Guwahati Summer Internship 2026
How to Apply for IIT Kanpur RISE Internship
Applications for the IIT Kanpur RISE Winter Internship 2026 are submitted online. Before applying, students should review the available research projects and check the eligibility requirements specified for their preferred projects.
- Check your eligibility: Confirm that you meet the general RISE eligibility requirements as well as any requirements specified for your preferred research project.
- Explore the available projects: Review the research projects and faculty members listed for the current RISE cycle.
- Select your projects: Applicants can choose a maximum of two research projects.
- Prepare the documents: Keep your Statement of Purpose, updated CV, academic transcripts, proof of nationality, recommendation letter and passport-size photograph ready.
- Complete the application form: Enter your academic and personal details accurately and select your preferred research projects.
- Review the application: Check the information and uploaded documents before submitting the form.
- Submit before the deadline: Complete the application by 7 October 2026.
Important: Submit only one application. IIT Kanpur states that multiple applications from the same student may be rejected. Within that single application, you can select up to two research projects.
IIT Kanpur RISE Internship Stipend and Financial Support
The IIT Kanpur RISE Winter Internship 2026 does not offer a stipend. Since the four-week winter internship is conducted virtually, selected students participate remotely and do not need to travel to the IIT Kanpur campus for this module.
The financial support structure is different for the RISE Summer Internship. According to IIT Kanpur, selected summer interns receive a stipend of INR 10,000 per month during the six to eight-week internship.
| RISE Module | Stipend | Other Support |
|---|---|---|
| Winter Internship | No stipend | Virtual internship, so no travel to IIT Kanpur is required |
| Summer Internship | INR 10,000 per month | On-campus accommodation and meals are provided |
For the summer module, IIT Kanpur states that accommodation and meals are provided on campus. However, international travel expenses and visa-related costs are not covered by the institute.
Students selected for the winter internship should therefore treat the December 2026 module as an unpaid virtual research internship. The INR 10,000 monthly stipend applies to the separate in-person summer module.
IIT Kanpur RISE Winter vs Summer Internship
The IIT Kanpur RISE programme includes both winter and summer research internships, but the duration, mode and financial support differ. The winter module is virtual, while the summer module requires selected students to undertake research in person at IIT Kanpur.
| Feature | Winter Internship 2026 | Summer Internship 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 4 weeks | 6 to 8 weeks |
| Period | December 2026 | May to July 2027 |
| Mode | Virtual | In-person at IIT Kanpur |
| Stipend | No stipend | INR 10,000 per month |
| Accommodation | Not applicable | Provided on campus |
| Meals | Not applicable | Provided |
| International Travel | Not required for the virtual module | Not covered by IIT Kanpur |
| Visa Costs | Not applicable for virtual participation | Not covered by IIT Kanpur |
Successful completion of the winter internship can also be relevant for students interested in the next stage of RISE. IIT Kanpur states that successful winter interns may receive preference during selection for the subsequent summer internship.
This preference should not be interpreted as automatic admission to the summer programme. Selection remains subject to the RISE process and the requirements of the available research projects.
FAQs
RISE stands for Research Internships in Science & Engineering. It is an IIT Kanpur research internship programme for international students, where selected participants work on research projects under the mentorship of IIT Kanpur faculty members.
The RISE Winter Internship is scheduled for December 2026. It is a four-week virtual research internship.
The application deadline is 7 October 2026 at 11:59 PM IST. Applications must be submitted through the official RISE online application form.
No. IIT Kanpur does not provide a stipend for the four-week virtual winter internship.
RISE is open to eligible non-Indian students enrolled in Bachelor's or Master's programmes. Applicants should have a strong academic record, an interest in research and at least one semester remaining in their programme after the internship. Project-specific requirements may also apply.
An applicant can select a maximum of two research projects in a single application. IIT Kanpur states that multiple applications from the same student may be rejected.
No. IIT Kanpur states that successful winter interns may receive preference during selection for the subsequent summer internship, but this does not guarantee selection.
Yes. IIT Kanpur lists a stipend of INR 10,000 per month for the summer internship. Accommodation and meals are also provided on campus, while international travel and visa-related expenses are not covered.
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