Fully Funded PhD Scholarships for International Students in Germany 2026

Scholarships for International

The International Max Planck Research School for Molecules of Life (IMPRS-ML) in Munich, Germany, offers up to 30 fully funded PhD Scholarships for outstanding students from all over the world, in advanced fields of life sciences, chemistry, and computer science.

Scholarship Details

Program type: Full PhD.
Duration: 4 years.
Language of instruction: English.
Location: Munich, Germany.
Available positions: 30.
Program start date: March 1, 2026 (with the possibility of starting research projects between March and October 2026).
Application deadline: October 7, 2025.
Funding: Fully funded (monthly stipend, no tuition fees, additional support for training and conferences).

Available Fields of Study

Biochemistry
Biology
Biophysics
Human Biology
Biomedicine
Molecular Biology
Chemistry
Physical Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Bioinformatics
Computer Science
Statistics

What Does the Program Offer?

A structured PhD program in partnership with Max Planck Institutes (MPIB and MPI-BI) and the universities LMU and TUM in Munich.
Individual supervision by world-leading scientists.
Full financial support and monthly stipends for both international and German students, with no tuition fees.
Professional development programs and diverse training courses (research methodologies, soft skills, workshops).
Comprehensive administrative support for international students in all aspects of living and studying.
Broad opportunities for academic development and participation in international conferences, summer schools, and research retreats.
A vibrant international research community including over 250 PhD students from 40+ countries and 38 internationally recognized faculty members.

Curriculum and Training

The program requires students to earn 25 ECTS credits through participation in various educational activities, such as:

Seminars
Summer Schools
International Conferences
Elective Courses
Research activities in advanced laboratories

Who Can Apply?

Applicants holding a Master’s degree (MSc) or equivalent in biological sciences, biochemistry, biophysics, biotechnology, or related disciplines.
Applicants with a 4-year honors Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) may also be eligible, depending on the education system of their country.

Required Documents

Motivation Letter
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Academic Certificates
Transcripts
List of Publications (if available)
Reference Letters
Proof of English language proficiency

How to Apply

Register on the online application portal (it is recommended to browse the website via mobile).
Log in to the portal and invite two referees to upload letters of recommendation.
Fill out the online application form.
Upload all required documents.
Submit your application before the deadline of 7 October 2025.

Important Notes:

You will receive a confirmation e-mail as soon as a referee uploads a recommendation letter.
Applications can only be submitted after both recommendation letters have been uploaded.
Once your application has been successfully submitted, you will receive a confirmation e-mail.
Only complete applications submitted through the online application portal will be accepted; applications sent via post or e-mail will not be considered.

*After submission, applications will be reviewed, and admitted students may begin their research between March and October 2026.