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International Max Planck Research School for Biological Intelligence (IMPRS-BI), Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, with LMU and TUM Munich · Application cycle 2027/2028

PhD Positions at the International Max Planck Research School for Biological Intelligence (IMPRS-BI) near Munich, Round Closing 10 November 2026

Applications open Fully funded? 10 days left

About this scholarship

A doctoral program in the life sciences at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence near Munich, run with LMU and TUM and open to international applicants. Admitted students are normally employed on a work contract, and there are no tuition fees.

Funding type

Covers: typically a regular work contract from the supervisor, at a level equivalent to TVöD E13 on the German public pay scale, with health insurance and full social security. There are no tuition fees. IMPRS-BI pays travel and accommodation for the selection visit to Munich, and students can get a travel allowance for courses and conferences. Does not cover: the semester fee of about EUR 150 at LMU or TUM. The salary amount is not stated. The program puts minimum living costs in the Munich area at about EUR 1,200 to 1,600 a month for a single person.

Tuition fees
Covered
Living costs
Covered
Travel
Partially covered
Insurance
Covered

Eligibility requirements

Nationalities
All nationalities
Residence condition
No residence condition

No nationality restriction appears on the pages, and the program is aimed at international doctoral students Usually a master's degree (about 300 ECTS with the bachelor's) in biology, biochemistry, neuroscience, physics, computer science, chemistry, mathematics or a related field Holders of a 3 or 4 year bachelor's from outside the European Bologna system should consider the fast-track program run with the LMU Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences, which is for neuroscience groups You need the degree before you start, not when you apply Your university must be recognized in Germany. You can check it in the Anabin database Medical degrees are not accepted, and veterinary degrees usually not

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

No language test required

Fluent written and spoken English is needed. A TOEFL, IELTS or Cambridge certificate is recommended but not required; without one you explain in the form why your English is enough. No certificate is needed if you studied in English. German is not required.

University admission details

Admission included in application?

Register on the portal and submit between 1 October and 10 November 2026, 24:00 CET. The application is complete only when both reference letters have arrived, and late documents are not accepted unless an exceptional reason is agreed before the deadline. Timeline: invitations to interviews or rejections by the end of December 2026, online panel interviews in January 2027, a visit to Munich in March 2027, and selection completed by April 2027. The PhD starts between April and October 2027 by agreement with the supervisor, and no later than 1 October 2027. The degree is usually awarded by LMU or TUM, and the doctoral work should normally be finished within four years. The program asks you to confirm in your motivation letter that you did not use AI tools to write your application. Contacting group leaders before applying does not improve your chances.

Required documents

CV of 2 to 3 pages, as a PDF Transcripts and certificates for all completed degrees, and provisional transcripts for current studies Motivation letter of less than one page Two recommendation letters, sent by your referees through the portal Recommended: English certificate, school leaving certificate, GRE General and Subject test reports (GATE for applicants from India), passport copy and a list of awards Certified English or German translations of the required documents

Application steps

Check this year's list of recruiting faculty and choose up to five groups. Register on the IMPRS-BI portal, then name and invite your two referees. Fill in the form, write the motivation letter and upload your documents as PDF, JPG or PNG files of up to 4 MB each. Submit before 10 November 2026, 24:00 CET.

Requirement checklist

Application on the IMPRS-BI portal Required

You register between 1 October and 10 November 2026, write a motivation letter of less than one page, and name up to five research groups with your reasons.

Two letters of recommendation Required

Your referees upload them after you invite them through the portal. The application is not complete until both arrive.

CV, transcripts and certificates Required

A CV of 2 to 3 pages, transcripts and certificates for all completed degrees, and provisional transcripts for current studies.

English test or GRE Optional

A TOEFL, IELTS or Cambridge certificate and GRE General and Subject test reports are recommended, but none is mandatory. A GRE Subject test is recommended in particular if you studied outside the EU.

Interviews Conditional?

An online panel interview in January 2027 with a short presentation, then a visit to Munich in March 2027 with travel and accommodation paid by the program.

Scholarship contacts

IMPRS-BI coordination office (application questions): [email protected]

Universities and contacts

Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence

Germany

No official contact email published

University website

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