DAAD GSSP Scholarships 2027 at Max Planck Institute Application Process Guide

The International Max Planck Research School for Biology and Computation (IMPRS-BAC) has announced its 2027 doctoral recruitment timeline, with the application portal scheduled to open in October 2026. Successful applicants receive a funded doctoral position for at least three years at the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics or Freie Universität Berlin, but the programme does not publish one universal monthly stipend because funding conditions vary between research groups.

The programme is designed for researchers connecting molecular life sciences with computational science. Applicants should normally hold an above-average master’s or comparable degree.

What Does the IMPRS-BAC PhD Programme Offer?

Selected candidates receive at least three years of doctoral funding, structured supervision and a doctoral degree from Freie Universität Berlin. Research may cover genome biology, epigenetics, gene regulation, RNA biology, developmental biology, protein biochemistry, bioinformatics, artificial intelligence, statistics or molecular evolution.

Benefits include a thesis advisory committee, scientific and transferable-skills courses, conference support and assistance for learning German. Interview travel, within a set limit, and Berlin accommodation are covered for finalists. No fixed monthly stipend is published; funding conditions should be discussed during selection.

Important image warning: the downloadable poster presently linked on the page belongs to the previous 2026 recruitment cycle. Its January 7, 2026 deadline and May–November 2026 start dates must not be used for the new call.

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Who Can Apply for IMPRS-BAC 2027?

You should normally apply with an above-average master’s or comparable degree in molecular biology, biochemistry, mathematics, bioinformatics or a related subject. It should ordinarily be awarded by September 2027. You also need biological or computational research experience, willingness to learn across both fields and a proposal matching a participating faculty member.

A bachelor’s alone is generally insufficient. Exceptionally strong computational or mathematical graduates may request the preparatory programme: 18 months of coursework followed by an oral examination. Some German may be necessary, and this route is unavailable for biological-sciences graduates seeking a laboratory doctorate.

The programme publishes no age limit and evaluates candidates without regard to age or nationality. It is full-time and particularly encourages applications from women and qualified people with disabilities.

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Is IELTS Mandatory?

IELTS is not mandatory, but applicants must prove at least B2 English unless they are native speakers. Options include IELTS 5.5; TOEFL iBT 72; TOEFL PBT/ITP 543; Cambridge FCE, CAE or CPE; UNIcert II; Telc B2; PTE Academic 59; or TOEIC 785 Listening/Reading, 160 Speaking and 150 Writing. An English-taught degree with proper confirmation may also qualify.

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How to Apply for IMPRS-BAC 2027

1. Study the 2027 recruiting projects and identify a faculty member whose work fits your proposal.
2. When the call opens, register through the application link on the official IMPRS-BAC application page.
3. Complete the online form and name the faculty member or members you wish to work with. Prior supervisor contact is optional, not compulsory.
4. Upload certificates and transcripts in English or German. Non-certified copies are acceptable during application.
5. Enter the institutional email addresses of two referees who know your academic or research work well.
6. Review everything before submission because submitted applications cannot be edited. Applications by email or post are not accepted.

Referees receive an online form only after submission; other letter formats are invalid. AI may be used only sparingly for declared language correction, never to generate content. Violations can cause immediate disqualification.

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What Happens After Submission?

Complete applications are followed by a video-presentation round, online questioning and final interviews. Initial results arrive by the end of January 2027. Longlisted candidates upload a research presentation by February 2 before online Q&A sessions from February 15–18.

Shortlisted candidates will attend interviews in Berlin from March 15–17, 2027; video participation may be allowed when visa restrictions prevent travel. Final decisions are expected in April, and accepted researchers may start between May and November 2027.

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Application Deadline

The last date to apply for the IMPRS-BAC 2027 doctoral positions is December 7, 2026, at 23:59 CET. The two referees must submit their online references by December 14, 2026, at 23:59 CET. Late materials are not accepted, and a missing reference makes the application incomplete.

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