Max Planck Institute Global Science Scholars Fellowship 2026

The Global Science Scholars Fellowship supports cutting-edge research in bioengineering, biomedical research, biophysics, molecular and cell biology, mathematics, and computer science, including projects that bridge experimental and theoretical approaches. The program is structured as a transatlantic exchange between research environments in Germany and the United States. Fellows are expected to conduct their research outside of the country in which they obtained their doctoral degree.

There are two fellowship tracks:

• Fellows in residence in Germany will conduct research at a Max Planck Institute in Dresden (MPI-CBG or MPI-PKS). 
• Fellows in residence in the United States will conduct research at a partner institution of the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub (San Francisco, Chicago, or New York).

Research environment in Dresden

The participating Max Planck Institutes in Dresden form part of a highly collaborative research campus, together with the Center for Systems Biology Dresden and TU Dresden.
This environment integrates molecular and cell biology with physics, mathematics, and computational science, providing access to advanced research infrastructure and fostering close interaction between experimental and theoretical approaches.

• Table of Content
• About Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science
• Max Planck Institute Fellowship
• Aim and Benefits of Max Planck Institute Fellowship
• Requirements for Max Planck Institute Fellowship Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for Max Planck Institute Fellowship
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

Max Planck Institute Fellowship

Aim and Benefits of Max Planck Institute Fellowship

The fellowship is awarded for a period of three years.

• Fellows in Germany will be employed by the Max Planck Society under the public sector collective agreement (TVöD Bund, salary group EG 13).
• Fellows in the United States will be appointed by the respective host institution; terms and benefits follow institutional policies.

Additional support includes:

• Relocation allowance (up to EUR/USD 10,000 over the fellowship period)
• Travel funding for participation in program-related scientific meetings and conferences
• Access to institutional benefits (as applicable at the host institution)

Requirements for Max Planck Institute Fellowship Qualification

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• A doctoral degree awarded on or after March 1, 2022
• Completion of the doctoral degree by August 1, 2026
• Willingness to conduct research outside of the country in which the doctoral degree was obtained
• For placement in Germany: doctoral degree from a U.S. degree-granting institution and eligibility for a Schengen visa
• For placement in the United States: doctoral degree from a German degree-granting institution and eligibility for a U.S. visa
• Sufficient proficiency in English to conduct research and communicate effectively

Exceptions to the eligibility window may be considered in cases of documented career breaks.

Interview date, Process and Venue for Max Planck Institute Fellowship

• Application opens: April 1, 2026
• Application deadline: May 20, 2026 (Pacific Time)
• Notification of results: August 2026

Check also:
Erasmus Mundus Scholarship 2027
Global Korea Scholarship 2027

Application Deadline

How to Apply

The application requires:

• A research proposal
• Curriculum vitae
• Two letters of recommendation (to be submitted via the portal)

Applicants are encouraged to ensure that all materials, including reference letters, are submitted in a timely manner according to the following dates. All application materials must be provided in English.

For more information, kindly visit Max Planck Institute webpage.