The IMPRS Concept

An Innovative Doctoral Programme

Since 2000, International Max Planck Research Schools (IMPRS) have been integral to the Max Planck Society's mission of promoting doctoral students. These schools offer talented junior scientists the chance to pursue a doctorate under exceptional research conditions, symbolizing excellence in science, collaborative interdisciplinary networks, rigorous supervision, and exemplary career support. To promote international cooperation, at least half of the doctoral students come from outside of Germany and English serves as the working language.

Nurturing Interdisciplinary Inquiry

The IMPRS is student-centered, allowing doctoral students to develop projects based on specific research questions, while the anthropological frame helps them to explore diverse interdisciplinary problems. As a structured doctoral programme, the mission is to facilitate close interactions between doctoral students and members of the Teaching Faculty as well as cultivating peer learning and fostering a community with bonds beyond academia. The core curriculum, an annual spring school, seminars, and colloquia foster an environment of innovation and continuous interaction.

Entangled Structures

Currently, there are over 60 IMPRS programmes, each hosted by one or more Max Planck Institutes. They operate under a unifying academic theme that facilitates discussions among doctoral candidates about their specific research areas. These IMPRSs maintain close collaborations with universities and, occasionally, foreign research institutions, offering an exceptional framework for graduate students and a substantial advantage in interdisciplinary research endeavors. The authority to confer degrees remains vested in the respective university.