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We are happy to announce: After two successful runs of RISE in 2024 and 2025, the program is back and in-person for 2026!

*** Unlock your talent and explore the forefront of technology and innovation! ***

RISE –
Realizing Innovative Science and Engineering Opportunities for Young Talents from Ukraine at Thermo Fisher Scientific in Bremen, Germany

Thermo Fisher Scientific partners up with AFS and InterCultur to offer a unique 1-week, full scholarship*, internship program for students from Ukraine interested in the field of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) for a renewed in-person run in the summer of 2026.

Set yourself up for success and take a big step towards becoming an innovator and problem solver!

Hands-on Experience with Experts

You will take your passion for science to the next level by

  • experiencing the thrill of turning theory into practice,
  • working with scientists, engineers, software developers and application chemists at Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Mass Spectrometry Research and Development Center in Bremen, Germany,
  • building a professional network in the field of science.

Cutting-Edge Technology and Research

You will learn how to develop and integrate advanced technologies into scientific products while

  • using mass spectrometry equipment in studies,
  • contributing to research,
  • participating in the development of scientific instruments that promote global health, safety and environmental sustainability.

Intercultural Learning and Competence

You will cultivate intercultural competency and necessary leadership skills by

  • fully immersing yourself in an international environment,
  • participating in intercultural workshops.
The RISE Program at a Glance
Scholarship

Getting into this program means receiving a full scholarship* – with all expenses covered.

*Only the journey from Ukraine to the program starting point in Poland is exempt from it. This part needs to be organized and covered by you and your legal guardians (see more under Travel).

Program Dates

4 July – 12 July 2026*

These dates include:

• Arrival weekend program

• Departure weekend program

• Internship dates with the experts on site are
6 July – 10 July 2026

* Additional days for travel before and after will apply

Eligibility

You can apply if:

  • You are currently attending the 11th grade in high school.
  • You are not yet 18 years old in July 2026.
  • You currently live and attend a school in Ukraine.
  • You are strongly interested in chemistry and other STEM disciplines.
  • You are academically successful in chemistry/STEM disciplines.
  • You are interested in a career in natural and engineering sciences or related fields.
  • Your English is good enough for communication.
  • You are open-minded and enthusiastic about working in an intercultural environment.
  • You are able to fund and organize your arrival to the program starting point in Poland and back (see sections Scholarship and Travel).
Travel

Due to the war in Ukraine, the program starting and end point is in Poland. We take over and organize everything from here. The exact location will be communicated closer to the program date.

While you and your parents will be asked to fund and organize the arrival to the program starting point yourselves, we will be in continuous contact with you, your parents, and all other participants to provide guidance and tips in the self-organization of this part of the journey.

Intercultural Learning

In addition to working with experts in their fields, you will experience a different cultural context. We will heighten your intercultural competence while offering:

• Guidance in preparation for the experience,

• Arrival & Departure weekends,

• Support throughout the time of the internship in Bremen.

Accommodation

Participants will be accommodated in a hotel/hostel in Bremen. Girls will share a room with one or more other girls from the program. Boys will share a room with one or more other boys from the program. There will be a responsible adult contact person staying at the same hotel/hostel.

Application Process
  1. Make sure your profile fits the eligibility criteria.
  2. Download and thoroughly read the document “Application Process Description”. This document will guide you through everything you need to prepare before you click on “Start Application Process” and begin filling out the online application form.
  3. Once all documents and prepared statements are at hand, click on “Start Application Process” and fill out the online application form.
  4. Send the documents named in the “Application Process Description” under points 3 and 4 to RISE@afs.de to complete your application.
     Application Deadline:
     09 May 2026

Documents for Download

RISE-Internship-Project_EN_2026

RISE-Internship-Project_UA_2026

RISE_Application Process Description

Medical and Dietary FORM_2026

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Support

If you have any questions, please contact us at:

RISE@afs.de

About the Program Organizers
InterCultur

Since 2012, InterCultur gGmbH has been offering seminars, training courses and events for organisations, companies, educational institutions and individuals who have a need and interest in developing their understanding of other cultures and improving the way they deal with cultural differences. The basis of our intercultural work is experience-orientated learning. As a subsidiary of AFS Interkulturelle Begegnungen e. V., InterCultur is part of one of the world’s oldest and largest organisations for intercultural exchange. Over 70 years of experience in the implementation of exchange programmes form the basis of our expertise in the pedagogical support of intercultural experiences and situations as well as intercultural qualification. We see our offer as an important contribution to promoting intercultural competence for people from all areas of society, from educational institutions as well as from companies, administration, associations and other organisations.

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE: TMO) is the world leader in serving science, with annual revenue over $40 billion. Our Mission is to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. Whether our customers are accelerating life sciences research, solving complex analytical challenges, increasing productivity in their laboratories, improving patient health through diagnostics or the development and manufacture of life-changing therapies, we are here to support them. Our global team delivers an unrivaled combination of innovative technologies, purchasing convenience and pharmaceutical services through our industry-leading brands, including Thermo Scientific, Applied Biosystems, Invitrogen, Fisher Scientific, Unity Lab Services, Patheon and PPD.

AFS Interkulturelle Begegnungen e.V.

AFS Interkulturelle Begegnungen e. V. is a nonprofit organization for youth exchange and intercultural learning. The organization has been working on a volunteer basis for more than 75 years and is an independent youth welfare organization. In addition to the student and host family program, AFS provides intercultural learning opportunities to help people develop the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to create a more just and peaceful world. Through our international exchange programs, education initiatives, volunteerism and advocacy, we empower young people from all backgrounds with essential global skills — and the passion for making a difference. Together with our subsidiary InterCultur gGmbH we provide intercultural competence learning in Germany and across borders globally. AFS is financed by participation and association fees, donations, foundation funds and public funds. AFS is part of the worldwide AFS network and works with equal partners in about 50 countries on all continents. Around 2,500 volunteers are involved with AFS throughout Germany.

Your contact: RISE@afs.de
Impressions from the 2024 program
Your Project Contact