BECOME PART OF THE MAX PLANCK SCHOOLS
Apply anually between September 1 and December 1 for a program start the following year!
Joint the Max Planck Schools for an innovative graduate program in interdisciplinary research. Benefit from a unique network of leading scientists and funding for up to five years. Candidates with Bachelor’s or Master’s degrees are encouraged to apply.
Embedded in a unique scientific network of currently 27 universities and 35 institutes from non-university research organizations the Max Planck Schools bring together Germany's leading scientists within a single doctoral program. As a PhD candidate of our joint graduate program you will have the opportunity to pursue topics at the forefront of fundamental and applied research.
WHY CHOOSE OUR PROGAM
🎯 Cutting-edge interdisciplinary research in the fields of Cognition, Matter to Life, and Photonics
👩🔬 Close supervision by outstanding scientists from leading German universities and research organizations
🎓 Integrated MSc & PhD programs – or standalone PhD program
🏛 Early access to first-class research infrastructure and innovative teaching formats
💰 Internationally competitive funding scheme – no tuition fees
FUNDING
Admission to a Max Planck School includes full funding for up to five years. This funding allows you to focus entirely on your scientific work. During the initial program phase (typically for those with a Bachelor’s degree), our PhD candidates receive an attractive scholarship and, if applicable, a subsidy for health insurance and material costs. Upon successful completion of the first phase, our candidates receive a contract in the second phase in accordance with the local Wage Agreement for Public Service (TVöD/TV-L, E 13), ensuring both academic freedom and financial security.
WHO CAN APPLY
The Max Planck Schools invite highly ambitious and promising candidates from around the world to apply to their distinguished PhD programs. The Schools’ various PhD programs are open not only to Master’s graduates but also to talented Bachelor’s graduates seeking to establish a foundation for their scientific careers within the unique scientific network of the Max Planck Schools.
APPLY HERE
To begin studying at a Max Planck School in the fall of a given year, applications must be submitted from September 1 to December 1 of the preceding year. Each School selects its candidates through a competitive multi-stage process. Applications must be submitted to the respective Max Planck School based on their specific requirements—see below for more information on these requirements.
Applications are accepted exclusively through our APPLICATION PORTAL.
Details regarding the recruitment process for each School can be found here:
Please ensure to check the individual FAQ sections as well.
Exceptional research requires outstanding scientists.
If you aspire to be one of them, join the Max Planck Schools!