The Institute grants research and doctoral scholarships to support the research initiatives of foreign and domestic scholars.
There are three ways to apply for a scholarship. The types of applications for doctoral and research scholarships are prioritized as follows:
- • Priority 1: Application for an announced scholarship: Scholarships for pre-defined, regularly changing research topics within the main research areas are advertised by the Institute.
- • Priority 2: Proposal within a main area of research: The Institute determines its main areas of research over a period of many years. The emphasis of research projects may be freely defined within these main fields of research.
- • Priority 3: Independent research proposal: Within the limits of available research funding, additional research proposals may be supported. These must display a sufficient connection to the research topics of the Institute.
General scholarship information
IMPORTANT
Completed applications should be submitted in full at least three months prior to the desired start of the scholarship. Only complete applications will be considered.
Duration of Support
Scholarships are granted for a maximum of 12 months. The grant of a scholarship does not entitle its holder to an extension. At the end of the scholarship period, an application for extension may be filed. Approval is based on the research results achieved so far. Generally, no extensions are granted beyond a total of 24 months.
Scholarship Amount
The amount of a Max Planck Society scholarship depends on the academic qualifications of the applicant.
Please note
Candidates who accept a scholarship enter into an obligation to devote their efforts in full to the purposes of that scholarship. They are expected to use the workspace provided by the Institute.
Gainful employment not included in the scope of the scholarship requires the prior consent of the Institute's directors and may not amount to more than marginal employment. Exceptions are only possible for activities that serve the purpose of the scholarship. In such cases, the amount of income earned will be deducted from the scholarship.
Travel expenses are not granted with a scholarship. In cases of particular need, an application for assistance may be filed; scholarship holders are not automatically entitled to complete or partial coverage of the costs.
Application Form and Materials
Applications can be filed only via the electronic application form, which you can access here (please disable the pop-up blocker).
The following materials are required for a complete application. They can be uploaded with the application form:
• CV/résumé
• Diplomas/school reports
• Two letters of recommendation (Doctoral candidates of external institutions who are applying for a doctoral scholarship should attach at least one letter of recommendation from their doctoral supervisor.)
• A detailed project description (5–10 pages, including outline, bibliography and time plan)
• Photo in electronic form
Each scholarship holder should aim to publish at least one scholarly article during her or his stay at the Institute.
Please send any documents not available in electronic form to the Institute by post:
Max Planck Institute for Intellectual Property and Competition Law
- Scholarship Office -
Marstallplatz 1
80539 Munich, Germany
If, despite a reminder, the application is not completed within eight weeks, it will not be considered.
Contact
In case you have any problems opening or printing out the pdf-version of the application form, please contact by e-mail:
Stipendienstelle (at) ip.mpg.de
For further questions concerning the application process and the electronic application form please contact by e-mail:
Sylvia.Kortuem (at) ip.mpg.de
Additional information for scholarship holders and visiting scholars
Information brochure of the Max Planck Society Living and Working in Germany
Portal for doctoral students at Max Planck Institutes Max Planck PhDnet