International Max Planck Research Schools

A state-of-the-art degree in research

Currently, there are more than 60 IMPRS in different areas. The research schools are established by one or several Max Planck Institutes, working in close cooperation with universities and other research institutions. This provides an extraordinary framework for the graduate students to work in, and is a great advantage in interdisciplinary research projects, or in projects that require special equipment. Currently, 80 Max Planck Institutes are associated with an IMPRS.

Innovative training programs

In general, about half of the junior researchers who receive their training at an IMPRS are from Germany and the other half from around the world. The principal component of the 3-year study programme is the doctoral thesis representing a major piece of independent research, mainly in an interdisciplinary topic. Doctoral students also benefit from regular workshops, which facilitate exchange of information and provide students with the opportunity to see their research topic from different perspectives. The right to confer degrees remains with the respective university. However, supervising tutors at both the universities and the Max Planck Institutes look after the students, instruct them and test them.