F.A.Q. - Frequently Asked Questions

How can I apply?
Application to the program is a two-step online procedure: First you will be asked to register online.  After successful registration, you will receive a confirmation link via email that allows you to log in and to submit your online application. For further information please visit How to apply on our website.

Can I apply for a summer internship only?
Sorry, we do not offer such a possibility. Our program is designed for doctoral students only. However, it is possible to do internships with some of the faculty members. If you are interested in such an opportunity, please contact the respective group leader directly. Alternatively, you could apply to the AMGEN scholars programme organised by the LMU or to Summer Internship Program (MaxSIP) run by Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence (i.f.) and the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry.

I missed the deadline. What can I do?
IMPRS-LS recruits students only once a year. If you have missed the deadline, all you can do is apply next year.

Do I need my MSc (or BSc) when I submit my application?
You do not need to have completed your degree program at the time of application. However, you must have completed your studies and have received your qualifying degree at the time when you start your PhD studies at IMPRS-LS.

Can I use an outdated TOEFL/IELTS test report as proof of proficiency in English?
Yes, please upload your latest certificate, even if it is a few years old.

Can I apply without a TOEFL or any other language certificate?
An English language test is not an absolute requirement but it helps us to reliably assess candidate's language skills. Without a test, you need to convincingly explain that you are fluent in written and spoken English.

Do I need a language certificate if I studied in English?
If you studied in an English-speaking country or your course program was taught in English, you don’t need any certificate. However, if you have it already, you can still attach it to your application.

Can I apply without GRE or GATE test?
Yes, it is possible to apply without such a test. However, a very good GRE or GATE test will strengthen any application.

Is it possible to hand in missing documents after the application deadline?
Late document submissions are not possible unless there is an exceptional reason. You would have to discuss the matter with the coordination office before the application deadline.

My academic records are not in English or German. Do I need to provide a translation?
Yes, translations of your documents into English or German have to be provided. Please submit translations in addition to copies of your original documents. Not translated documents will not be considered in the application process.

Do I need to provide certified translations of my academic records?
Yes, translations of all required documents such as your academic records have to be certified. Translations of recommended documents do not have to be certified as long as the original is also provided.

Can I select a research group for my PhD project, which is not listed as “recruiting” on the IMPRS-LS webpage?
No, you can only choose research groups that are actively recruiting in the current round of application. Only research groups listed as “recruiting” do have vacancies and are in a position to hire new students. The list of recruiting faculty will be published once the application portal opens.

Is there a possibility that a faculty member that is not currently in the list opens a position later?
This happens occasionally and in that situation all applicants are immediately informed about the new opening.

Do I need to upload a separate CV during the application process?
Yes, we will ask you to upload a separate CV. This gives you the opportunity to structure the layout of your CV according your own ideas. Clear and concise communication and presentation skills are considered important assets.

Can I provide non-institutional email address of my referee, e.g. gmail.com?
We do prefer an institutional email address but will also accept non-institutional email addresses if that is the address, your referee uses.

How can I be sure that the referees I have listed will be contacted by IMPRS-LS?
Your referees will be contacted automatically by us as soon as you submit the referee contact details in the application form. You will receive a notification once a referee has submitted a recommendation letter on your behalf.

My referee has not received a request to submit the reference letter for me. What should I do?
Please double check if your referee’s data, email in particular, is correct. If yes, contact your referee to check if perhaps her/his spam filter has blocked our email. If this is not the case, please contact the IMPRS-LS Coordination office.

Will I be informed once the referees have submitted their references?
Yes, you will be informed by us through email. You also will find this information in your "My Progress" page at the online application portal. Please note that you will not be able to see the actual reference letter.

Will the referees have access to my application form?
No, referee can only submit the reference letter and will not be able to read the rest of your entries.

I already have letters of recommendation. Would it be possible for me to forward the letters directly to the coordination office?
No, we will not accept letters of recommendation submitted by applicants.

I don’t have my degree certificate yet. Can I upload a provisional certificate?
Yes, you can.

I don’t have a transcript. What can I upload?
You can upload a provisional transcript or marksheets instead.

I haven’t completed my MSc degree yet. What should I write as the cGPA?
If you transcript doesn’t indicate a cGPA, you can leave this field empty.

I have submitted a paper, but it hasn’t been accepted or published yet. Can I mention it in my application?
Yes, you are welcome to list it in your CV.

Should I get in touch with group leaders, I am interested in, prior to submitting my application?
No, it is not necessary to contact group leaders before submitting your application. However, in the application form you can list up to five group leaders that you are interested in. You will also be asked to explain briefly, why you find their work interesting.

Can I edit my application after I have submitted it?
No, once formally submitted, you cannot modify your application any longer. However, you can edit, save and revisit your application before you press the “submit application” button as many times as you wish.

Is there an age limit for applicants?
No, there is no age limit for applicants. However, most students are under 26 when they start their doctoral studies and very few are over 30.

If I am accepted to the IMPRS-LS. When am I supposed to start with my doctoral studies?
Successful applicants can commence their PhD any time after the interviews and should start no later than October 01. Starting dates are decided upon in agreement with the respective group leader.

How long does my Passport have to be valid?
On the planned date of departure from Germany, your passport has to be valid at least for another three months and it has to be issued within the last 10 years. In case you need a visa it should also contain at least two empty pages where the visa can be inserted.

Do I need a Residence Permit/Visa?
To enter Germany every foreign student from a non-EU country needs a residence permit (for details see link of the Federal Foreign Office). This is not a requirement for candidates of member states of the European Union and some other countries: Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea and the United States of America. The coordination office will provide administrative support in visa formalities to students from non-EU countries.

What kind of visa do I need?
For the interview week, you need to apply for a "Schengen Visa Type C (Business)". For your doctoral studies, you will have to apply for a specific visa that entitles you to conduct your doctoral studies in Germany. Details in this regard will be provided, once a student is accepted to our PhD program.

How to handle visa formalities?
Invited or accepted candidates will receive an official invitation letter and a cover letter for the German embassy from the coordination office. This letter must be submitted to the German embassy or a German consulate in your home country together with your visa application. You will also have to effect a travel health insurance. Issuing a visa may take anything between a few days and several weeks for a short stay visa up to several months for the visa for your doctoral studies, dependent on country of origin and circumstances. In case problems arise, the coordination office will assist. For further details, please visit the website of the Federal Foreign Office. Visas for doctoral studies are originally issued for a duration of three months after which they will be converted into a temporary residence permit.

Who will help me to find accommodation?
Incoming doctoral students can stay at the guesthouse of the Max Planck institute for the first three months. The IMPRS coordination office and the International Office of the MPI will also assist students in finding suitable accommodation. Our students typically find suitable accommodation within four to eight weeks after arrival in Munich although the market for student flats is tight.

How are the doctoral students supported financially?
Our students typically are on regular work contracts (TVöD) provided through their supervisors. The contracts come with health insurance and full social security coverage. The net income usually starts at around 1650 Euro (dependent on age and experience) and is sufficient to cover living expenses in the Munich area. Fast track students will be on a tax-free stipend for the first year of studies and will have to pay for their own health insurance plan.

I have my own funding. Does this guarantee a place in the program?
All invited candidates must successfully pass the interview procedure in order to be eligible. Although we do appreciate if a student brings his/her own funding, this will not affect the application process: All applications are evaluated solely on basis of qualification and scientific potential. All invited candidates must successfully pass the interview procedure in order to be eligible.

Is there any additional financial support?
Yes, our students are supported financially at several levels including
a) Relocation support: We will cover travel expenses for accepted students when they finally move to Munich
b) Travel allowance: Our students also have access to a generous travel allowance that they can use to attend international meetings, to participate in external method training workshops or to visit collaboration partners in Germany and abroad.
c) German language training: IMPRS-LS will fund German language classes for our international students
d) Wrap up PostDoc program: IMPRS-LS can provide co-funding for up to one additional year after the completion of doctoral studies
e) Family support program: IMPRS-LS can provide additional support to female doctoral students in certain specific situations

Are there any tuition fees for doctoral studies at IMPRS-LS?
No, there are no tuition fees for doctoral studies in Germany in general and at IMPRS-LS in particular. However, you will have to pay a semester fee of approximately 150 Euro for the duration of enrollment at one of Munich’s universities.

How much money do I need for housing?
Rent for a shared flat starts at approx. 500 Euro per month. Single apartments are more expensive and typically start at 600€. Many of our students pay between 600 and 700 Euro for rent but naturally there is no upper limit. The coordination office will support incoming students in finding suitable housing.

Am I covered by a health insurance plan as doctoral student?
Public health insurance coverage for doctoral students is obligatory and is integral part of your work contract.

What are the estimated living costs in the Munich area?
Estimated costs of living in Munich/Martinsried are approx. 1200-1600 Euro minimum per month for a single person. However, this greatly depends on your personal preferences and life style.

Are the lectures in English or in German?
The medium of all instruction is English. Standard language of communication in laboratories is mostly English, too.

Which institution will award my doctoral degree?
Typically, our partner universities, the Ludwig Maximilian University or the Technical University Munich will award the doctoral degree and this is dependent on the university affiliation of your future supervisor. International doctoral students may also choose to have their doctoral degree awarded by a university of their home country if a cooperation agreement can be established.

Can I apply more than once?
Yes, we accept new applications from students who submitted their forms in previous years. However, this typically only makes sense if there was a fundamental improvement in your application (i.e. completing a degree with excellent grades, getting a paper published or similar achievements).