INTERNATIONAL MAX PLANCK RESEARCH SCHOOL FOR MOLECULES OF LIFE (IMPRS-ML)
Max Planck IMPRS-ML PhD Scholarship (Molecules of Life)
full · phd
- ~€2,040 net / month (est.)Monthly salary
- TVöD work contractFunding type
- 40+ countries representedInternational community
- ~3 papers per PhDResearch output
- No tuition feesCost of study
- Open to all nationalitiesEligibility
At a glance
full
Funding
€24k
Max amount
Oct 7, 2026
Deadline
Open to domestic and international students of all nationalities
Country
International Max Planck Research School for Molecules of Life (IMPRS-ML)
Provider
The Max Planck IMPRS-ML PhD Scholarship funds doctoral study at the International Max Planck Research School for Molecules of Life in Munich, Germany, jointly run by the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry and MPI-BI together with LMU Munich and the Technical University of Munich. Around 50% of the school's PhD researchers are international students drawn from more than 40 countries, and doctoral students publish on average 3 peer-reviewed papers during their studies. Positions are based on a German TVöD work contract paying approximately €2,040 net per month, with no tuition fees beyond a semester contribution of about €150, plus social security, health insurance and covered travel for interviews in Munich. Research spans biochemistry, structural biology, cell biology, molecular medicine, biophysics, computational biology and systems biology. Applicants must hold an MSc or equivalent (around 300 ECTS) or a recognised 4-year BSc Hons from the EU, UK, Australia or Canada, meet a German-scale grade of 1.0 to 2.5, and demonstrate English proficiency. For the 2026/2027 cohort the application portal opens in late August and the deadline is around 7 October 2026, with the programme beginning on 1 October 2027. Because the salary rate, eligibility rules and exact dates are set each cycle, confirm the current figures on the official IMPRS-ML pages before you apply.
What's covered
- Monthly salary — Doctoral students are employed on a German TVöD work contract paying approximately ~€2,040 (est.) net per month.
- Social security and health insurance — The work contract includes full statutory health insurance and social-security coverage.
- Tuition — No tuition fees are charged; students pay only a semester contribution of about ~€150 (est.).
- Interview travel — Travel and accommodation costs for the in-person interview rounds in Munich are covered by the school.
- Research environment — Access to state-of-the-art facilities across the Max Planck institutes, LMU Munich and TUM, with mentorship from leading scientists.
How to apply
Apply through the online portal during the annual application window; selection involves faculty review and interviews in Munich.
- Confirm eligibility — Check that your degree, ECTS credits, grade equivalence and English proficiency meet the school's requirements before registering.
- Register on the portal — Create an account on the IMPRS-ML online application portal when it opens around 25 August 2026.
- Nominate referees — Provide two referees — preferably MSc or BSc thesis advisors — who will submit recommendation letters via the portal.
- Complete and upload — Fill in the application form with academic and research details and upload your CV, transcripts, certificates and English proficiency proof.
- Submit before the deadline — Submit the completed application before ~7 October 2026, 23:59 CET (est.).
Eligibility
DegreeHold an MSc or equivalent (~300 ECTS), an integrated 5-year MSc, or a 4-year BSc Hons (240 ECTS) from the EU, UK, Australia or Canada.
Not eligibleA 4-year BSc only from the USA, Asia, Africa or Turkey, and medical degrees (MBBS, MD, Veterinary Medicine), are not accepted.
GradesMeet a minimum grade equivalent to 1.0–2.5 on the German scale, calculated via the Bavarian Formula.
LanguageDemonstrate English proficiency with TOEFL iBT 80 (20 per section), IELTS 6.5 (all bands) or CEFR upper B2 or higher.
Two recommendation letters submitted via the portal, a 2–3 page English CV, transcripts and degree certificates are required. All documents must be in English or German, or accompanied by certified translations.
Eligible countries
Open to domestic and international students of all nationalities
Deadlines
2027 doctoral cohort~7 October 2026 (est.)
Selection
Each application is screened for completeness and eligibility, then independently reviewed by three faculty members. Shortlisted candidates attend online panel interviews followed by on-site interviews in Munich with lab visits and discussions. Final selection is based on interview performance and successful matching with a supervisor, and travel costs for the Munich interviews are covered.
Verified sources
- International Max Planck Research School for Molecules of Lifeimprs-ls.deofficial
- Max Planck Institute of Biochemistrybiochem.mpg.deofficial
About the provider
The International Max Planck Research School for Molecules of Life (IMPRS-ML) is a structured doctoral programme in Munich, Germany, run jointly by the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry and MPI-BI with LMU Munich and the Technical University of Munich. It offers interdisciplinary training in biochemistry, structural biology, biophysics and computational biology, with researchers from more than 40 countries.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
Is the IMPRS-ML PhD programme fully funded?
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Yes. Students receive a German TVöD work contract paying about ~€2,040 (est.) net per month, with health insurance and social security included.
Do I need to pay tuition fees?
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No. There are no tuition fees; students pay only a semester contribution of around ~€150 (est.).
Can international students apply?
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Yes. The programme is open to applicants from all countries, and about half of the researchers are international.
What degree is required?
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An MSc or equivalent is preferred; a 4-year BSc Hons is accepted only from the EU, UK, Australia or Canada.
Are medical degree holders eligible?
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No. Applicants with MBBS, MD or veterinary medicine degrees are not eligible.
What level of English is required?
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TOEFL iBT 80 (20 per section), IELTS 6.5 (all bands), or CEFR upper B2 or higher.
When does the application portal open?
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The portal opens around 25 August 2026 for the 2027 cohort.
What is the application deadline?
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The deadline is around 7 October 2026 at 23:59 CET; confirm the exact date officially.
How does selection work?
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Each application is reviewed by three faculty members, followed by online panel interviews and on-site interviews in Munich.
Are interview travel costs covered?
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Yes. Travel and accommodation for the in-person interview rounds in Munich are covered by the school.
When does the programme begin?
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The programme begins around 1 October 2027 in Munich.
Where can I confirm current details?
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Always verify the salary, eligibility rules and dates on the official IMPRS-ML pages before applying.