International Max Planck Research School Scholarship 2025/2026

Max Planck Research School is offering scholarship to international students from countries around the world who are interested in pursuing doctorate studies at the higher institution in Germany.

The International Max Planck Research School for Cell, Developmental and Systems Biology trains talented young doctoral researchers based in three locations in Dresden, incorporating Biology, Physics, Chemistry and Computer Science and working with top scientists from over 50 countries to ask: How do cells form tissues and organisms?

IMPRS PhD Program in Science is a fully funded scholarship which provides health insurance, pension contribution, and other social benefits in the contract presented to successful candidates. The net take-home pay for PhD students (after taxes and deductions) is a minimum of 1,700 Euro per month.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicant must hold a university degree or have a scheduled graduation date before starting your thesis work.
• Distinctive proficiency in textbook scientific knowledge is essential. Enthusiasm and collegiality are also vital.
• Include TOEFL or IELTS results with your application if available.
• Admission is based solely on prior scientific qualifications and future potential. This ensures the recruitment of only the highest qualified candidates in a fair and transparent manner.
• Applicants must hold, or anticipate receiving, a Master’s degree in these fields;
• Life Sciences
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Physics
• Applied Mathematics
• Engineering

As English is the working language of the program, applicants should demonstrate a high level of spoken and written English proficiency.

Selection Process

When a candidate’s applications is completed they’ill proceed to evaluation. The first evaluation takes into account the applicants’ national education system, and is carried out by internal experts of the respective educational system.

Additionally, we may conduct phone or Skype interviews during the evaluation process. Qualified applications are recommended to faculty members for further assessment. They jointly short-list the candidates to be invited for the interview week in Dresden.

Scholarship Benefits

International Max Planck Research School PhD Scholarship provides the recipient with full financial support for the entire duration of the PhD work (4 years). Financial support is granted via an employment contract according to 65% TvöD E13 (German tariff for employees in civil service).
Health insurance, pension contribution, and other social benefits are included in the contract. The net take-home pay for PhD students (after taxes and deductions) is a minimum of 1,700 Euro per month.

Application Procedure

• Applications open May 1, 2025
• Visit the program’s website
• Request an account to register via email
• Fill and complete online application
• Upload relevant University certificates and official transcripts.
• Providing TOEFL/IELTS and GRE examination results is encouraged, but not mandatory.
• Submit two letters of recommendation. For your reference, generate a PDF file of your application.
• Once your online application form is complete, and two recommendations have been received, you’ll be able to submit. You will receive an email confirming the successful submission of your application.