A graphic design showing a person typing on a laptop. In the upper left corner, there is an illustration of a rocket and a ladder. In the center, the text "KICKSTART YOUR CAREER" appears on a white bar, and at the bottom right, there is a yellow circle with the text "APPLY NOW".

APPLY NOW – until DECEMBER 1

NEW: APPLY NOW FOR THE FIRST COHORT OF THE MAX PLANCK SCHOOL OF BIOMEDICAL AI!

Applications for the fall 2027 intake have officially opened, and our application portals are now live. Apply to one of our four interdisciplinary PhD programs: Biomedical AI, Cognition, Matter to Life, or Photonics. For more information on how to apply and which School is right for you, please visit our application page. Join the Max Planck Schools and take the next step in your scientific career – apply by December 1.

Graphic featuring a person in a lab coat alongside text encouraging applications to become a fellow at the Max Planck School of Cognition or Photonics, highlighted by a prominent "Apply Now" button.

BECOME A FELLOW – APPLY NOW

Fellows Call 2026: August 11 – November 2

Become a Fellow of the Max Planck Schools Cognition or Photonics. As a Fellow, you are among Germany’s leading scientists in your respective field. Together with our PhD candidates, you form the foundation of the Max Planck Schools and mentor outstanding young researchers throughout their PhD studies – through close personal exchange and access to excellent research infrastructure.

Apply now to become a Fellow →

Graphic showing three interlocking gears on a blue background. Each gear is labeled with a topic area: “Photonics” (top left, yellow highlight), “Matter to Life” (bottom left, light blue), and “Cognition” (right, white). The gears represent the connection and interaction between these scientific fields.

OUR PROGRAM

The Max Planck Schools are a joint graduate program of currently 30 universities and 33 institutes from non-university research organizations.

Ambitious and promising PhD candidates engage in cutting-edge interdisciplinary research in the fields of Biomedical Artificial Intelligence, Cognition, Matter to Life, and Photonics, and study within a unique network, closely supervised by outstanding scientists who are leaders in their respective fields. PhD candidates benefit from early access to a versatile, first-class research infrastructure and innovative teaching methods, as well as fully funded PhD positions for Bachelor's and Master's graduates.

Learn more about the Max Planck Schools and join our network of excellence!

OUR OFFER

Our PhD candidates benefit from:

cutting-edge interdisciplinary research in the fields of
Biomedical Artificial Intelligence, Cognition, Matter to Life, and Photonics;
close supervision by outstanding scientists in their respective field;
a unique network of leading German universities and non-university research organizations;
An integrated MSc and PhD program (or standalone PhD program)
early access to first-class research infrastructures and innovative teaching formats;
an internationally competitive funding scheme without tuition fees.

Apply every fall to join our program the following year!

Ein stilisiertes Bild zeigt eine Wissenschaftlerin im Laborkittel, die sich auf eine Aufgabe konzentriert.

OUR FELLOWS

Embedded in a unique network of outstanding researchers across Germany, doctoral candidates at the Max Planck Schools pursue their PhDs within prestigious interdisciplinary faculties while conducting groundbreaking research.

Our Fellows are leading scientists who are keen to share their extensive knowledge and support international talents at an early stage of their careers. Through direct interaction, small group mentoring, and access to state-of-the-art infrastructures, they empower the next generation of researchers to excel.

Discover more about our remarkable Fellows and their inspiring research!

THE FOUR MAX PLANCK SCHOOLS

Max Planck School of Biomedical Artificial Intelligence

The Max Planck of Biomedical Artificial Intelligence will investigate fundamental scientific questions at the interface between biomedicine and artificial intelligence.

Max Planck School of Cognition

Cognition research covers topics from disciplines as diverse as psychology, physics, computer science, philosophy, biology and medicine. In this rapidly developing research field scientists with using methods and approaches of the various disciplines, are in high demand.

Max Planck School Matter to Life

What, exactly, is life? Can processes, functions and objects related to life be simulated and recreated in the laboratory? These are the overarching questions addressed in the curriculum and research training of the Max Planck School Matter to Life.

Max Planck School of Photonics

Photonics is the science of light, enabling numerous modern technologies such as non-contact sensors, quantum computers and energy and information carriers. The Max Planck School of Photonics unites research in many subdisciplines to light up the world.

NEWS AND EVENTS

A researcher and a colleague work together in front of several computer monitors displaying data and code in a laboratory setting.

APPLY NOW – by DECEMBER 1

APPLY NOW FOR THE FIRST COHORT OF THE MAX PLANCK SCHOOL OF BIOMEDICAL AI

Are you ready to shape the future of Biomedical AI? Join the newly established Max Planck School of Biomedical AI and pursue your PhD at the intersection of artificial intelligence and biomedicine. We invite outstanding and highly motivated graduates from AI, computer science, mathematics, engineering, physics, and computational life sciences to apply. Applications are open from September 1 to December 1.

Fellow Open Call: APPLY NOW

August 10, 2026

Become a Fellow of the Max Planck Schools Cognition or Photonics. As a Fellow, you are among Germany’s leading scientists in your respective field. Together with our PhD candidates, you form the foundation of the Max Planck Schools and mentor outstanding young researchers throughout their PhD studies – through close personal exchange and access to excellent research infrastructure. We are looking for outstanding researchers who would like to contribute to the unique scientific network of the Schools and train ambitious international PhD candidates.

Become part of an innovative and inspiring network!

Apply now to become a Fellow →

"A place to grow, collaborate, and belong"

July 02, 2026

Looking back at the second Max Planck Schools Graduation Ceremony: On June 19, 2026, Deans, Fellows, coordination teams, families, and friends gathered at the FORUM on the Bildungscampus Heilbronn to celebrate the newest alumni of the Max Planck Schools – Cognition, Matter to Life, and Photonics. What began as an inaugural event last year is now becoming a permanent fixture in the calendar of the Schools.

Fourth Max Planck School ready to go

March 12, 2026

The new Max Planck School will investigate fundamental scientific questions at the interface between biomedicine and artificial intelligence. Karsten Borgwardt, director at the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry in Martinsried near Munich and speaker for the new school, will be responsible for coordinating the school.

Science in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

December 17, 2025

Max Planck School Matter to Life Max Planck School of Cognition Max Planck School of Photonics

A Look Back at the Max Planck Schools Day 2025: As in previous years, PhD candidates, Fellows, representatives from partner organizations, and the new cohorts of the three Max Planck Schools came together at the Harnack House in Berlin. The day was once again dedicated to fostering personal exchanges, cross-school networking, and a collaborative, engaging atmosphere. Central to the discussions was the topic of responsibility and opportunity in the age of artificial intelligence.

Call for Proposals: A New Max Planck School in AI

June 27, 2025

The Max Planck Schools are seeking ambitious proposals for the establishment of a new Max Planck School in Artificial Intelligence (AI). The goal is to advance innovative AI models, methods, and tools – in a core scientific discipline outside of computer science – and to create synergies with the three existing Schools Cognition, Matter to Life, and Photonics. Propose a vision, collaborate with leading scientists and become part of an exceptional graduate program. Submit your concept proposal by August 25, 2025.