Max Planck Schools, a joint graduate programme of German universities and research institutes · Application cycle 2027/2028

Max Planck Schools Doctoral Programmes in Germany 2027/2028

Applications open Varies by track?

About this scholarship

Four funded doctoral programmes in Germany: Biomedical AI, Cognition, Matter to Life and Photonics. They are open to all nationalities, and three of them also take bachelor's graduates, who start with a master's phase or, in Cognition, an orientation year.

Funding type

Covers: funding for up to five years. In the first phase, which is the master's phase in Matter to Life and Photonics and the orientation year in Cognition, a net stipend of EUR 1,565 a month, plus up to EUR 100 a month for health insurance if needed. After that, a doctoral employment contract on the German public sector pay scale (TV-L or TVöD, E 13). In Biomedical AI this contract covers all 3 years of the PhD. The Max Planck Schools say there are no tuition fees. But the Photonics pages say non-EU students in the master's phase pay tuition of EUR 2,000 a semester at Erlangen or EUR 1,500 a semester at Karlsruhe, and Matter to Life says its monthly stipend covers living costs and fees together. In Photonics the supervisor pays a share of the PhD salary, and the amount is agreed with them.

Tuition fees: Partially covered
Living costs: Covered
Travel: Not specified
Insurance: Partially covered

Eligibility requirements

Nationalities: All nationalities
Residence condition: No residence condition

Open to all nationalities. The School of Cognition says it welcomes applications from every country, and that visa checks for applicants from embargoed countries may take longer Biomedical AI: a master's in computer science, mathematics, statistics, engineering or physics, or in life sciences with strong computational training, completed before the programme starts Cognition: a bachelor's or master's with at least 60 ECTS in fields such as AI, biology, neuroscience, linguistics, mathematics, philosophy, physics or psychology. Successful applicants usually have a German grade of 1.3 or better Matter to Life: a bachelor's of at least six semesters in natural sciences or engineering, with a German grade of 1.7 or better or a place in the top 5% of your class. Entry is at the master's phase only Photonics: a bachelor's or master's with substantial coursework in physics, engineering or a related field You can apply before you finish your current degree

Minimum grade: Not stated
Work experience asked for: Not stated
Return condition: Return condition not stated
How to apply: Straight to the provider

Language requirements and exemptions

Language test required IELTS TOEFL iBT Cambridge English PTE Academic Other test Waiver possible

English at B2 level or higher, unless you are exempt. Cognition accepts IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL iBT 72 among other tests. Photonics accepts TOEFL or IELTS at B2, or Cambridge CAE or CPE. Matter to Life and Biomedical AI ask for TOEFL iBT 90, IELTS 6.5 or Cambridge CAE at C1, among other tests, and the result can come by 15 July 2027. Most schools accept proof that your previous degree was taught in English. Check your school's FAQ.

University admission details

Admission included in application?

Apply through the Max Planck Schools application portal between 1 September and 1 December 2026, 23:59 German time. The Cognition FAQ gives the time as 24:00 CEST. Each school runs its own application and selection. Referees: Cognition needs two, with letters due by 1 December. Photonics needs two, invited by 1 December, with replies by 15 December. Biomedical AI needs two, with letters due by 10 December. Matter to Life does not accept reference letters. Selection has several rounds. Photonics invites shortlisted applicants to an online test and then an interview. Matter to Life holds two video interviews. Cognition holds online interviews on 23 and 24 February 2027. Biomedical AI interviews from January to March and decides by April. Programmes start in September or October 2027. Matter to Life selects 20 students and Cognition up to 25. Applying to Matter to Life is free.

Required documents

Certificates and transcripts of all university studies, in English or German or with certified translations Motivation letter or personal statement Proof of English CV and a copy of your passport or ID card, for Cognition, Photonics and Biomedical AI Cognition: the names of three possible supervisors among the school's fellows. Biomedical AI: up to three The list differs a little between schools, so check your school's application page

Application steps

Choose one of the four schools and read its application page and FAQ. Register on the application portal and choose the programme. If your school asks for referees, invite them early. Upload your documents and apply before 1 December 2026, 23:59 German time.

Requirement checklist

Application on the Max Planck Schools portal Required

You choose the school and programme, and apply between 1 September and 1 December 2026.

Certificates and transcripts Required

In English or German, or with certified translations.

Motivation letter Required

Matter to Life uses a template in the portal, and Photonics asks for up to 500 words.

Two referees Conditional?

Needed for Cognition, Photonics and Biomedical AI. Matter to Life does not accept reference letters.

Proof of English Required

At least B2 level, unless you are exempt.

Test and interviews Conditional?

For shortlisted applicants only. Photonics adds an online test before the interview.

Scholarship contacts

Matter to Life coordination team: [email protected]

Photonics coordination team: [email protected]

Biomedical AI coordination team: [email protected]

Application page of the School of Cognition: Contact form (opens in a new tab)

Universities and contacts