International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) PhD Fellowship Documents Required 2026
Required Documents Checklist
- Cover letter or Statement of Motivation (in English, outlining research interests and reasons for applying)
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) (in English, including academic training and professional experience)
- Official transcripts/records of studies from all colleges/universities attended (Bachelor's and Master's degrees, in English or German, or certified translation)
- Copies of Bachelor's and Master's degree certificates/diplomas (if available, in English or German, or certified translation)
- Master's thesis (full thesis, abstract, summary, or preliminary chapters, in English or German) or an example of scholarly work (up to 20 pages)
- Short research proposal (up to 5 pages, in English, describing one or two possible dissertation topics or research interests)
- Names and contact details (email, phone) of two or three academic referees (senior researchers familiar with your academic work, who will be contacted directly by the application system for recommendation letters)
- Certificate of proficiency in English (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge ESOL) for non-native speakers, or official confirmation that studies were conducted in English
- List of publications (if applicable, typically titles and abstracts)
- GRE General Test or GATE scores (optional, but recommended for non-EU applicants and can strengthen the application)
- School leaving certificate/high-school diploma (or equivalent document proving eligibility to study at a university)
- Copy of passport (recommended for international candidates not residing in the EU)
DBT Bank Seeding Warning
Your primary bank account must be active, seeded with your Aadhaar card, and mapped on the NPCI mapper. The government disbursements are made exclusively via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
FAQs for International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) PhD Fellowship
Q.Is the IMPRS PhD Fellowship a scholarship or an employment contract?
The IMPRS PhD Fellowship is primarily an employment contract with the Max Planck Society or an affiliated university/institute. This means PhD students are considered employees and receive a gross monthly salary based on the Collective Wage Agreement for the Civil Service (TVöD), which includes social benefits like health insurance, pension contributions, and unemployment insurance. In rare cases, a tax-free stipend might be offered depending on the funding source, but the general model is an employment contract.
Q.Are there tuition fees for the IMPRS PhD program?
No, there are generally no tuition fees for the IMPRS PhD program. However, students are usually required to pay a semester contribution (Sozialbeitrag/Semesterbeitrag) to the university where they are enrolled. This fee is typically around €350 per semester and often includes a public transportation ticket valid throughout Germany.
Q.Can I contact a potential supervisor directly before applying to an IMPRS?
It is generally not necessary or helpful to contact individual research group leaders or potential supervisors directly before submitting your application. Most IMPRS programs operate a centralized online application and recruitment process. All applications are evaluated through this system to ensure fairness. Any prior contact might even complicate the application process. You will typically indicate your preferred supervisors or research groups within the application form.
Q.Do I need to have my Master's degree completed before applying?
You do not necessarily need to have completed your Master's degree at the time of application. Many IMPRS programs allow candidates to apply if they are in the final stages of their Master's program. However, you must have successfully completed your studies and received your qualifying degree before you can officially start your doctoral studies with the IMPRS.