IMPRS PhD Programs in Germany: Complete List of Max Planck Research Schools

Germany's Max Planck Society runs more than sixty International Max Planck Research Schools (IMPRS) — structured, English-language doctoral programs that pair a Max Planck Institute with partner universities. They are the most reliable route into German research for international students: fully funded TV-L E13 contracts or stipends, no tuition fees, and centralized annual calls with published deadlines. This list gathers the IMPRS opportunities currently listed on NextApply, with their live deadlines.

Why IMPRS instead of the traditional German route

• Funding is the default: doctoral researchers are paid employees (~€3,010–3,570/month gross at E13 65–75%), not self-funded students.
• English working language — no German certificate required for admission.
• Structured training: courses, retreats and an international cohort, closer to a US-style PhD than the lone-wolf German chair model.
• Worldwide eligibility: every IMPRS call below is open to all nationalities.

Live and upcoming IMPRS calls

Deadlines move slightly each year and some schools run two calls; always confirm on the school's official page before planning around a date. New listings appear on NextApply continuously — the table reflects what was live at the time of writing.

What an IMPRS application looks like

1. One online form per school — CV, transcripts, statement of purpose, two references.
2. Research statement tailored to the school's groups: name two or three whose papers you have actually read.
3. Interviews: usually two rounds, remote for international candidates, focused on your thesis work and a paper discussion.
4. No application fee — German public research does not charge for doctoral applications.

Salary: what you will be paid

IMPRS doctoral researchers are paid on the same public-sector scale as other Max Planck PhDs. The monthly gross at E13 step 1, by contract level:

Most IMPRS start at 65% (≈€3,094/month gross in 2026) and many move to 75% after the first-year evaluation. Net pay for a single person is typically around €2,100–2,300/month, and you accrue pension credits from day one.

Choosing between IMPRS schools

• Field first: an IMPRS is only as good as its groups — read the last two years of publications from the groups you would join.
• City costs matter: Munich and Frankfurt are the most expensive hosts; Potsdam, Jena and Dresden stretch a 65% contract much further.
• Call timing: astrophysics schools cluster calls in autumn for the following year's start; biophysics schools often call in winter.

Questions applicants often ask

Do I need a master's? Most IMPRS prefer a master's degree, but strong bachelor's holders are occasionally admitted — see our country rules for PhD study without a master's.

Is IELTS required? Generally not — English is assessed through your documents and interviews (a handful of schools ask for a certificate; check the individual call).

Can I apply to multiple IMPRS at once? Yes, and you should — applications are free and independent.

What reviewers look for (and what sinks applications)

IMPRS panels read hundreds of files in a few weeks; the statement decides everything at the shortlist stage. Spend an evening per school — our European motivation letter guide has the exact structure they respond to.

IMPRS vs a regular German university PhD

Both end with the same doctorate. The IMPRS route simply front-loads the competition into one application — which is exactly why it suits applicants outside the German system.

Relocation quick facts

• Visa: doctoral employment contracts qualify for the German researcher/employment route; Max Planck institutes handle the paperwork and issue contract documents within days of the offer.
• Health insurance: statutory insurance from day one of employment (~€120–150/month employee share, already inside the net figures above).
• Bringing family: spouse visas are standard for employed doctoral researchers — see our family visa comparison.