- Up to 5 yearsMaximum funding duration
- 3 graduate schoolsCognition, Matter to Life, Photonics
- ~1,300 euros / month (est.)Phase 1 scholarship
- TVoeD / TV-L E 13 contractPhD phase employment
- 27+ universities, 35+ institutesPartner network
- All nationalitiesWho can apply
At a glance
full
Funding
€4k
Max amount
Dec 1, 2026
Deadline
All nationalities
Country
Max Planck Schools
Provider
The Max Planck Schools Graduate Scholarships fund graduate study and doctoral research across 3 interdisciplinary graduate schools in Germany - Cognition, Matter to Life and Photonics. The Max Planck Schools were launched in 2018 as a joint initiative that pools the expertise of more than 27 universities and around 35 research institutes, connecting students with several hundred top scientists known as Fellows. Funding is provided for up to 5 years and is split into 2 phases. Students who enter with a bachelor's degree first receive a scholarship of roughly 1,300 euros a month (est.) during the qualifying phase, with additional subsidies toward health insurance and material costs where eligible. After successfully completing the first phase, students move into the PhD phase on a formal employment contract under the German public-service pay agreement (TVoeD / TV-L, grade E 13), which typically pays in the region of 3,000 to 3,600 euros a month (est.) gross. The programme is tuition-free and applications are submitted only through the official online portal; emailed applications are not accepted. Because stipend rates and the exact deadline are set fresh each cycle, confirm the current-cycle figures and dates on the official Max Planck Schools website before you apply.
What's covered
- Phase 1 scholarship — A monthly scholarship of roughly 1,300 euros (est.) during the qualifying MSc/PhD phase for students who enter with a bachelor's degree, so they can focus fully on coursework and early research.
- PhD phase salary — On entering the doctoral phase, students receive a formal employment contract under the public-service pay agreement (TVoeD / TV-L, grade E 13), typically around 3,000 to 3,600 euros a month (est.) gross.
- Tuition-free study — The graduate programme charges no tuition fees, so the full value of the scholarship and salary supports living and research costs.
- Health insurance subsidy — Additional subsidies toward health insurance contributions during the first phase, for students who qualify.
- Materials and research costs — Support toward material and research costs during the qualifying phase, plus access to state-of-the-art laboratories and facilities across the partner institutes.
- Research and mentoring — Supervision and mentoring by leading Max Planck and university scientists (Fellows), with structured training in interdisciplinary research methods.
How to apply
Applications are made through the single official online portal of the Max Planck Schools; applications sent by email are not accepted.
- Choose your school — Decide which of the 3 schools - Cognition, Matter to Life or Photonics - matches your background and research interests.
- Check requirements — Read the eligibility rules and FAQ of your chosen school and confirm you meet the degree, language and track conditions for the 2026/2027 intake.
- Prepare documents — Assemble your transcripts, degree certificates, CV, statement of motivation, proof of English and contact details for academic referees.
- Apply online — Create an account on the official Max Planck Schools application portal and complete the online form for your chosen school.
- Submit before the deadline — Submit the full application before the closing date (the fall intake deadline has historically fallen around 1 December) and await the multi-stage selection outcome.
Eligibility
Academic qualificationA master's degree, or an exceptional bachelor's degree, in a field relevant to the chosen school (Cognition, Matter to Life or Photonics).
NationalityOpen to international and domestic students of all nationalities.
Track choiceBachelor's holders normally enter the combined MSc and PhD track; master's holders may apply directly to the PhD track.
LanguageStrong English proficiency, as the schools teach and research in English; specific language evidence requirements are set per school.
Research motivationA clear motivation for interdisciplinary scientific research and a fit with the school's research areas.
Each of the 3 schools runs its own multi-stage recruitment and publishes its own FAQ; check the requirements of the school you apply to before submitting.
Eligible countries
All nationalities
Deadlines
Fall 2027 intake~1 December 2026 (est.)
Selection
Each of the 3 Max Planck Schools runs its own competitive, multi-stage selection process. Applications are first screened against the academic and eligibility requirements, shortlisted candidates are assessed by a committee of school Fellows, and final candidates are usually invited to interviews or a selection symposium before offers are made.
Verified sources
- Max Planck Schools - official websitemaxplanckschools.orgofficial
- Max Planck Schools - Applicationmaxplanckschools.orgofficial
About the provider
The Max Planck Schools are a joint German initiative launched in 2018 that brings together universities, Max Planck Institutes and other research organisations into 3 interdisciplinary graduate schools - Cognition, Matter to Life and Photonics - to train outstanding young scientists alongside the country's leading researchers.
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.
Who can apply for the Max Planck Schools Graduate Scholarships?
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Highly motivated students of all nationalities who hold (or are completing) a master's degree, or an exceptional bachelor's degree, in a field relevant to one of the 3 schools.
Which subjects are covered?
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The scholarships fund study in the 3 graduate schools: Cognition, Matter to Life and Photonics, spanning interdisciplinary natural and life sciences, physics and engineering.
How long is the funding?
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Funding is provided for up to 5 years, split into a qualifying first phase and a PhD phase.
How much is the scholarship?
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First-phase students receive roughly 1,300 euros a month (est.), and in the PhD phase they move onto a TVoeD / TV-L E 13 employment contract, typically around 3,000 to 3,600 euros a month (est.) gross. Confirm exact rates on the official site.
Is there a tuition fee?
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No. The graduate programme is tuition-free, so the scholarship and salary support living and research costs.
Can bachelor's graduates apply?
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Yes. Exceptional bachelor's holders can apply and normally enter the combined MSc and PhD track, while master's holders may apply directly to the PhD track.
Do I need to choose a school?
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Yes. You apply to one specific school - Cognition, Matter to Life or Photonics - and meet that school's particular requirements.
What is the application deadline?
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The fall intake deadline has historically fallen around 1 December; confirm the exact 2026 date on the official portal before applying.
How do I apply?
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Through the single official online application portal of the Max Planck Schools. Applications sent by email are not accepted.
Is the programme in English?
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Yes, the schools teach and research in English, so strong English proficiency is required; check each school's specific evidence requirements.
What is the TVoeD / TV-L E 13 contract?
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It is the German public-service pay agreement at grade E 13; once you enter the PhD phase you are employed on this contract, which provides a salary plus social benefits.
Where can I confirm the latest figures?
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On the official Max Planck Schools website and the FAQ pages of your chosen school, which publish the current stipend rates, deadlines and selection details each cycle.