OUR PROGRAM
The Max Planck Schools are a joint graduate program of currently 27 universities and 35 institutes from non-university research organizations.
Ambitious and promising PhD candidates engage in cutting-edge interdisciplinary research in the fields of Cognition, Matter to Life, and Photonics and study in the context of a unique network, closely supervised by outstanding scientists, who are leaders in their respective field. The PhD candidates benefit from early access to a versatile, first-class research infrastructure and innovative teaching methods, as well as fully financed PhD positions for Bachelor and Master graduates.
Learn more about the Max Planck Schools and join our network of excellence!
OUR OFFER
Our PhD candidates benefit from:
-
cutting-edge interdisciplinary research in the fields of
Cognition, Matter to Life, and Photonics; - close supervision by outstanding scientists in their respective field;
- a unique network of leading German universities and non-university research organizations;
- An integrated MSc and PhD program (or standalone PhD program)
- early access to first-class research infrastructures and innovative teaching formats;
- an internationally competitive funding scheme without tuition fees.
Apply every fall to join our program the following year!
OUR FELLOWS
Embedded in a unique network of outstanding researchers across Germany, doctoral candidates at the Max Planck Schools pursue their PhDs within prestigious interdisciplinary faculties while conducting groundbreaking research.
Our Fellows are leading scientists who are keen to share their extensive knowledge and support international talents at an early stage of their careers. Through direct interaction, small group mentoring, and access to state-of-the-art infrastructures, they empower the next generation of researchers to excel.
Discover more about our remarkable Fellows and their inspiring research!
CALL FOR PROPOSALS
A NEW MAX PLANCK SCHOOL IN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)
The Max Planck Schools are seeking ambitious proposals for the establishment of a new Max Planck School in AI. The goal is to advance innovative AI models, methods, and tools—in a core scientific discipline outside of computer science—and to create synergies with the three existing Schools: Cognition, Matter to Life, and Photonics.
The new School will admit up to 25 doctoral candidates each year with additional funds for research, networking and administrative staff. Interdisciplinary, cross-institutional consortia with a strong research profile and innovative teaching concepts are invited to apply.
Deadline: August 25, 2025
