JUNI Fellowship Program
A 12-month deepdive into the innovation ecosystem for STEM graduates.
JUNI Fellowship Program
12 months Traineeship → Starting November 2026 / Strictly Limited
JUNI Mitte, Berlin
Program details
Why become a JUNI Fellow?
The benefits of becoming a JUNI Fellow
- Talent-centric and tailor-made: Your journey is designed around you – including personalized preparation sessions and continuous expert mentoring.
- Vibrant community: Become part of an exclusive peer group of like-minded innovators.
- Fast track: Discover your “edge” and gain the opportunity for direct hiring or an extended placement at one of our partner companies.
- Competitive compensation: All partners provide a monthly salary and/or stipend in line with high-potential STEM traineeship standards.
Program details
Key facts
The JUNI Fellowship Program is a 12-month career orientation program designed specifically for outstanding STEM talent. We offer you the chance to dive deep into the most critical sectors of the modern innovation ecosystem. Experience the full spectrum of high-tech engineering, agile startup growth, and venture capital in one exclusive year.
Application deadline
Application is closed for our summer batch. Join the waitlist to not miss the next call!
Program details
Three program stages
In order for you to gain high-level practical experience, the JUNI fellowship program is made up of three consecutive stages — each stage lasting four month:
Stage 01
Innovation Leader
4 months
Start your fellowship at an Innovation Leader. Join a core engineering team and gain exclusive insights into the world’s most advanced production processes.
Stage 02
Startup
4 months
Experience the agility of a scaling company. In a high-impact role, apply your technical expertise in a lean, entrepreneurial environment
Stage 03
Venture Capital
4 months
Shift your perspective to the investment side. At a leading VC firm, you will evaluate deeptech startups and learn how capital is used to scale technological disruption.
Program details
Fellow profiles & selection
We are scouting for high-potential Bachelor or Master’s Graduates (soon to be or within the last 12 month) and Young Professionals with a passion for excellence.
Exceptional track record:
You are among the top tier of your class, but your value goes beyond the transcript. You have driven technical projects, demonstrated leadership in extracurricular initiatives, or proven your “grit” through practical work experience.
Maker mentality:
You have a strong technical background and a drive to create real impact.
Agile minds:
You thrive in fast-paced environments and constantly seek new challenges.
Join the waitlist
This is your springboard.
The JUNI Fellowship Program is a 12-month career orientation program designed specifically for outstanding STEM talent. We offer you the chance to dive deep into the most critical sectors of the modern innovation ecosystem.
FAQs
Program Content & Experience
What level of hands-on engineering work vs. strategy/business exposure should I expect in each rotation?
- It will be a mix of both worlds but always suitable for engineers:
- The Mix: While you will be deep in technical workflows (e.g., at Tesla), the fellowship specifically aims to show you why certain technical decisions are made from a business and scaling perspective.
- Engineer-Centric: Even during the Startup or VC rotation, the tasks remain technical or “techno-economic.” You won’t just do “admin” – you will evaluate tech-stacks, assess scaling feasibility, or work on product-market fit for deep-tech products.
- Core Message: It’s about becoming a “T-shaped” talent: Deep technical expertise plus a broad understanding of the innovation ecosystem.
Is it structured sessions with industry leaders or real guidance from people inside Tesla and VCs?
- Dual Mentorship System: You won’t be left alone. You get a Professional Mentor directly within the host organization (Tesla, Startup, or VC) for daily technical guidance and “unwritten rules” of the industry.
- JUNI Strategic Mentor: Additionally, JUNI provides a mentor focused on your long-term career path, helping you connect the dots between the three rotations.
Can we choose the startup where we do our rotation?
- no
- Input Welcome: However, we value your specific interests. You can submit suggestions or focus areas (e.g., “I am interested in Green Hydrogen or Robotics”), and we will try to align the matching process with your technical passion.
How much do we focus on ethics and the costs of scaling tech, rather than just the coding side?
- Interview Deep-Dive: Since every partner (Tesla vs. a VC) has a different approach to these topics, we encourage you to ask this specific question during your interviews. It shows the partners that you are thinking like a future leader, not just an executor.
- Curriculum: Throughout the 12 months, we will have specific “Reflection Sessions” where we discuss exactly these “Big Picture” topics.
Eligibility & Candidate Profile
Is this suitable for a recent PhD graduate (e.g., Chemistry, Bio-Med, Data Science) transitioning into scaling roles?
- Yes, absolutely: We explicitly welcome PhD graduates. However, the fellowship is not an academic research program; it is a “scaling” program.
- What we look for: We don’t just look at your thesis. We look for a “builder” mindset. Have you worked on hands-on projects? Did you lead extra-curricular initiatives? Have you tried to translate your research into a product?
- The Transition: If you want to move from the lab/data-model to the factory floor or the VC-boardroom, this is the perfect bridge.
Can first or second-year Master’s students apply? Do I need to be in my final year?
- Current Intake: For the upcoming cohort starting this year, we are looking for “Ready-to-Action” talents. This means you should either graduate this year (2026) or have graduated within the last 12 months.
- Future Opportunities: If you are in your 1st year, don’t lose heart! While this specific round might be too early for a full-time commitment, there will be future intakes. Stay connected with the JUNI community to be first in line for the next round.
Is the program open to fields like Urban Design, or is there a specific 'Main Domain'?
- The STEM Umbrella: Our primary requirement is a STEM background (MINT). Whether it’s Robotics, Chemistry, Data Science, or specialized Engineering fields like Urban Design (with a technical focus) – if you can solve complex technical problems, you fit.
- Interdisciplinary Power: We actually want a diverse cohort. A mix of an AI expert, a Mechanical Engineer, and a Biotech PhD creates the best innovation sparks during the fellowship.
What is the expected GPA? Does previous work experience count more than grades?
- High Competition: We are selecting a very elite group (only 5–7 fellows per cohort). Therefore, we naturally see very strong academic records.
- We keep the cohort small (5-7 people) intentionally to ensure that every single fellow gets high-level access to mentors and partners that wouldn’t be possible in a mass-program.
- The “Whole Person” Approach: A perfect GPA is great, but it’s not enough. We look at:
- Academic Excellence (Grades)
- Practical Proof (Internships & Work Experience)
- Drive & Initiative (Personal projects, hackathons, or volunteering).
Commitment, Logistics & Finance
Is it possible to participate while working a full-time job or writing a Master’s thesis?
- Focus is Key: The JUNI Fellowship is designed as a high-intensity, full-time program for graduates. To truly benefit from the rotations at Tesla, startups, and VCs, you need to be fully immersed in their daily operations.
- The Verdict: Therefore, it is not possible to maintain another full-time job or a demanding Master’s thesis project simultaneously. We are looking for fellows who can dedicate 100% of their professional energy to this journey.
- Core Message: Think of this as your “First High-Impact Role” rather than a side-curriculum.
Can I start the fellowship later (e.g., June instead of April) or do I need a drop year/leave of absence?
- The “Summer Cohort”: Our official kickoff is in June. This allows the cohort to start as a team and build a strong community from day one.
- Limited Flexibility: While we have a little bit of wiggle room for individual cases (e.g., finishing exams a week later), the program is built as a synchronized experience. You should be ready to join the “Summer Cohort” in June.
- Let us know in your application!
Is the fellowship remote-friendly or strictly based in Berlin?
- The Berlin Hub: The fellowship is strictly based in Berlin & Brandenburg (Giga Berlin). Innovation happens where people meet – especially in fast-paced environments like Tesla or early-stage startups.
- Physical Presence: While some partners might have flexible “home office” days, the core value of the program lies in the on-site experience, the factory floor visits, and the face-to-face networking within the Berlin ecosystem.
- On a site note: Berlin-Brandenburg is currently the most exciting place in Europe for Deep-Tech and Scale-ups. To really ‘feel’ the speed of Tesla or a startup, you have to be in the room where it happens.
Does the fellowship provide financial support/stipends?
- Full Financial Support: Yes! We want the best talents, regardless of their financial background. You will receive a monthly fellowship salary and/or grant (scholarship).
- The Benchmark: The grant is closely aligned with competitive Berlin standards for high-potential STEM trainees.
- The “Net” Advantage: Since this is a scholarship, we ensure that your monthly payout mirrors the net income of a top-tier industrial entry-level position. This allows you to live in Berlin and focus 100% on the program without financial pressure.
The Selection Process
We are looking for people who are ready to go ‘all-in’ for 12 months, because they realize that this program will put them in a completely different professional league afterwards. This leads us directly to our next topic: What does a standout candidate look like, and how can you prove that you have that ‘JUNI-DNA’?“
What traits do you look for in applicants? How can I prove myself to you?
- Beyond the Resume: We are looking for “High-Agency” individuals. This means people who don’t just wait for instructions but see a problem and start building a solution.
- The “JUNI DNA”: We value a combination of deep technical curiosity and an entrepreneurial spirit.
- How to prove it: In your application, don’t just list your tasks. Show us results. Tell us about a project where you went above and beyond, a hackathon you won, or a complex technical challenge you solved outside of your mandatory curriculum. We want to see your “Drive.”
Is it okay to upload a transcript if I only have one semester finished?
- The program is for graduates! You can certainly upload a transcript in case you are currently finishing studies in your last year.
- In case you are still in the first year, this is not the program for you.
What are the chances of a permanent position after the 12-month program?
- The Goal is Impact: The JUNI Fellowship is designed to be a career-accelerator. While the fellowship itself is limited to 12 months, the goal of our partners (Tesla, Startups, VCs) is to find and cultivate top-tier talent.
- Networking Advantage: After 12 months, you will have a network that usually takes years to build. You will have “insider” experience in three different worlds.
- High Probability: While there is no “automatic” contract, the fellowship puts you in the absolute pole position for high-level roles within the Tesla ecosystem or our partner startups. You are not just another applicant; you are a proven Fellow.
Does the fellowship provide financial support/stipends?
- Full Financial Support: Yes! We want the best talents, regardless of their financial background. You will receive a monthly fellowship salary and/or grant (scholarship).
- The Benchmark: The grant is closely aligned with competitive Berlin standards for high-potential STEM trainees.
- The “Net” Advantage: Since this is a scholarship, we ensure that your monthly payout mirrors the net income of a top-tier industrial entry-level position. This allows you to live in Berlin and focus 100% on the program without financial pressure.
Your Programs & Ventures contact
Let’s shape your journey together.
JUNI programs are built to support you from talent discovery to venture scaling. As our main contact for program design, Corinna ensures our formats create real value. Whether you want to join a cohort or explore a new collaboration – reach out to Corinna to get started on your journey with us.
