Max Planck Schools Application 2027: Eligibility, Funding, Documents and How to Apply

A Max Planck Schools application gives you a shot at a fully funded PhD, or an integrated MSc and PhD, inside one of Germany’s strongest research networks. This guide explains the four Schools open for the autumn 2027 intake, who can apply to each, what the funding pays, which documents you need and how selection works before the 1 December 2026 deadline. The key facts are also on our Max Planck Schools PhD 2027 listing.

We checked every detail on 26 October 2026 against the official Max Planck Schools website and the application pages and FAQs of each School. Where a School does not give a detail, we say so.

Max Planck Schools at a glance

What it is	Joint graduate programme of 30 universities and 33 non-university research institutes in Germany
Schools	Biomedical AI (first cohort), Cognition, Matter to Life, Photonics
Level	Integrated MSc/PhD or PhD, depending on the School and your degree
Funding	Up to five years: 1,565 euros net a month in the first phase, then an E 13 employment contract; no tuition fees
Who can apply	Candidates from around the world with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree (Biomedical AI: Master’s)
Language	English
Deadline	1 December 2026
Start	Autumn 2027 (Cognition and Biomedical AI: September 2027)

What the funding covers

• Up to five years of funding. The Max Planck Schools say admission includes full funding for up to five years, so you can focus on research.
• A stipend in the first phase. Students who start with a Bachelor’s degree (and Cognition students in their orientation year) receive 1,565 euros net a month, plus up to 100 euros towards health insurance where applicable.
• A salary in the doctoral phase. After the first phase you get an employment contract under the public-sector wage agreement (TVöD/TV-L, E 13), which the Photonics School says is considerably higher than the stipend.
• No tuition fees at the Schools. One exception to note: the Photonics FAQ says its Master’s-phase universities charge semester fees (about 82 to 350 euros), and FAU Erlangen and KIT also charge non-EU students tuition (about 2,000 and 1,500 euros).

Cognition reimburses travel costs for invited interview candidates. Students arrange their own housing, and the Photonics School says the stipend or salary is enough for living costs in Germany.

The four Schools and who can apply

School	Structure	You need
Biomedical AI	3-year funded PhD; site depends on your supervisor	Master’s in computer science, mathematics, statistics, engineering, physics or computational life sciences
Cognition	Orientation year + 3 research years	Bachelor’s (fast-track) and/or Master’s in a cognition-related field, such as psychology, neuroscience, AI, linguistics, philosophy or physics
Matter to Life	2-year joint Master’s (Göttingen and Heidelberg) + 3-year PhD	Bachelor’s (180 ECTS) in natural sciences or engineering, GPA 1.7 or top 5%
Photonics	Master’s study phase and/or 3-year PhD research phase	Bachelor’s and/or Master’s with strong physics or engineering coursework

All Schools welcome applicants from every country. Final-year students can apply with a current transcript and send the final certificate before starting. Cognition says successful applicants usually have a German GPA of about 1.3 or better, though strong research or references can make up for a lower grade. Photonics says applicants from embargoed countries may face extra visa checks.

Max Planck Schools application deadlines for 2026-27

Step	Date
Portals open	1 September 2026
Application deadline (all four Schools)	1 December 2026 (Matter to Life: 11:59 pm)
Referee deadline	1 December 2026 at Cognition and Biomedical AI; responses by 15 December 2026 at Photonics
Biomedical AI selection symposium	1-5 February 2027, online
Cognition interviews	23-24 February 2027, online
English test (if not yet sent)	By 15 July 2027 at Matter to Life and Biomedical AI
Start	Autumn 2027

The deadline is set in German time, which is four hours behind Pakistan (PKT) in December. Submit at least a day early, because late or incomplete applications are not considered.

Documents checklist

• Certificates and transcripts for your Bachelor’s and, if you have one, your Master’s (or proof of current enrolment). Documents must be in English or German, or translated.
• Academic CV, listing all stages of your education in order.
• Motivation letter or personal statement. Matter to Life requires its template in the portal; Photonics asks for no more than 500 words.
• Passport or ID copy.
• Two referees, invited through the portal.
• Potential supervisors. Cognition and Biomedical AI ask for the names of up to three Fellows; Photonics research-phase applicants list topics.
• Proof of English for non-native speakers. Minimum scores vary: Cognition IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL iBT 72; Matter to Life and Biomedical AI IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 90; Photonics IELTS above 6.0 or TOEFL above 70. Nationals of the USA, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and Canada are exempt at several Schools.
• GRE scores are optional at Cognition.

How to apply to the Max Planck Schools, step by step

1. Pick one School that matches your degree and interests, and for Photonics choose the study or research phase carefully.
2. Read that School’s FAQ for its grade, credit and English rules.
3. Register on the application portal.
4. Invite your referees first. Photonics will not let you continue until two referees are invited.
5. Upload your documents and write your motivation letter or personal statement.
6. Name supervisors or topics if your School asks for them, but do not contact Cognition Fellows before admission.
7. Submit by 1 December 2026.
8. Prepare for selection. Expect online interviews, a test on a research article (Photonics) or a selection symposium (Biomedical AI).

How candidates are selected

Each School runs a competitive multi-stage process. At Matter to Life, the committee reviews grades and motivation, then holds a 15-minute video interview and a 30-minute second interview on one or two Fellows’ papers. Photonics shortlists applicants for an online test on a research article, followed by a Zoom interview. Biomedical AI Fellows shortlist candidates, who present their research at an online symposium, interview with interested Fellows and are matched to a project in March and April.

Tips for a strong application

• Explain the fit. Show why this School’s interdisciplinary focus suits you; our motivation letter template can help you structure it.
• Brief your referees early. Deadlines for references are tight; see how to get strong recommendation letters.
• Name realistic supervisors. Read the Fellows’ recent papers before you list them.
• Book your English test now if your School needs it with the application.

Other funding in Germany

If you want a shorter research stay first, look at the Max Planck computer science summer internships. For other routes, see the DAAD Scholarships, the University of Erfurt Doctoral Scholarships and our overview of scholarships in Germany.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Max Planck Schools programme fully funded?

Yes. Funding lasts up to five years: a stipend of 1,565 euros net a month in the first phase, then an E 13 employment contract, with no tuition fees at the Schools.

What is the Max Planck Schools deadline?

1 December 2026 for the autumn 2027 intake, at all four Schools.

Can I apply with only a Bachelor’s degree?

Yes, for Matter to Life, the Photonics study phase and the Cognition fast-track. Biomedical AI requires a Master’s degree.

Can international students apply?

Yes. The Schools invite candidates from around the world, and all programmes are taught in English.

Can I apply to more than one School?

The official pages say applications go to the respective School and its own requirements; check each School’s FAQ before applying to more than one.

What English score do I need?

It depends on the School, from IELTS 5.5 (Cognition) to IELTS 6.5 (Matter to Life and Biomedical AI). Some Schools accept the test after selection, by 15 July 2027.

Is the GRE required?

No. Cognition says the GRE is welcome but optional, and the other Schools do not list it.

Where will I study?

It depends on the School and your supervisor. Matter to Life’s Master’s phase is at Göttingen and Heidelberg, and Photonics teaches at Erlangen, Jena and Karlsruhe.

Where to apply

Start on the official Max Planck Schools application page, which links to the portal and each School’s rules. For funding details see the Cognition costs and financial support FAQ and the Matter to Life FAQ. Our Max Planck Schools PhD listing keeps the key facts in one place.