Max Planck Society

Partially funded

International Max Planck Research Schools (IMPRS) Doctoral Programmes

Max Planck Society, Germany

Scholarship overview

International Max Planck Research Schools have been part of the Max Planck Society's doctoral funding since 2000. Each school is set up by one or more Max Planck Institutes, usually with partner universities or research institutions, some abroad. There are 68 programmes as of January 2026, with about 80 Max Planck Institutes taking part.

Programmes usually train roughly equal numbers of German and international early-career researchers, and the working language is English. Doctoral study typically takes three years and centres on independent, often interdisciplinary, research leading to a dissertation.

In Germany only universities award doctoral degrees, so students are supervised by university and Max Planck faculty and the dissertation is examined jointly. Certificates carry the Max Planck logo.

Award Information

  • Programmes aim to train gifted students, with roughly equal numbers of German and international researchers.
  • Requirements are set by each school.
  • Structured programme with supervision, thesis committee, research seminars, soft-skill workshops, summer schools and conferences.

How to apply

  1. Identify an IMPRS that matches your research interests.
  2. Contact that programme's coordinator directly and follow its application steps.
  3. Most Max Planck Institutes also advertise PhD positions outside the IMPRS framework on institute websites and the MPG job board.

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