IMPRS for Biological Intelligence 2027: Fully Funded PhD in Neuroscience, Behaviour and Evolution (Munich, Germany)

PhD position

10/25/2026

Deadline: 10 November 2026 (24:00 CET) | Location: Munich, Germany | Fields: Neuroscience, Behaviour, Ecology, Connectomics, Evolutionary Genetics | Funding: Fully funded

If you are interested in how nervous systems develop and evolve, and how animals use behaviour to navigate their environment and pursue their goals, the International Max Planck Research School for Biological Intelligence (IMPRS-BI) in Munich is one of Europe’s strongest structured PhD programmes in this area. The call for 2027 is open, and the deadline is 10 November.

About the programme

IMPRS-BI is run by the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence in close cooperation with Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) and the Technical University of Munich (TUM). It offers structured training and research opportunities in more than 30 laboratories, with a special emphasis on behaviour, ecology, neuroscience, connectomics and evolutionary genetics.

The Max Planck Institute doesn’t award degrees itself. Students are enrolled at LMU or TUM, which confer the doctorate. The programme is taught in English, and students write and defend their theses in English. Each student works with a direct advisor and a thesis advisory committee.

Funding

The school offers fully funded doctoral positions with no tuition costs. Contract and salary details are set by the Max Planck Society, so check the programme’s FAQ page for current terms. German language skills are not required, and interested international students are invited to take German courses funded by IMPRS-BI.

Key dates

Portal opens: 1 October 2026
Application deadline: 10 November 2026, 24:00 Central European Time. Both letters of recommendation must also arrive by then.
Interview invitations or rejections: Typically by the end of December 2026
Online panel interviews: January 2027
On-site visit to Munich for shortlisted candidates: March 2027
Selection completed: Expected by April 2027
Thesis research starts: No later than 1 October 2027, which leaves time to apply for a visa

Who can apply?

Entry is usually with a Master of Science degree or an equivalent such as a Diploma. Most applicants have a BSc and MSc totalling 300 ECTS credits, or a five-year integrated MSc. The school expects an academic background in biology, biochemistry, neuroscience, physics, computer science, chemistry, mathematics or related natural sciences.

Other routes:

Four-year BSc (Hons): Applicants with a first-class four-year UK BSc (Hons) or MSci, or a first-class European BSc of 240 ECTS credits, can apply. Depending on your curriculum, the Munich universities may assign an extra 15 to 60 ECTS credits of coursework, and some departments require a qualifying exam in the first year.
Fast-track programme: Applicants with a three-year BSc, or a three- or four-year BSc from outside the European Bologna system, should consider this route. It is run with the LMU Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences, and outstanding applicants typically only qualify if they intend to join a neuroscience group. It adds an intensive preparatory year of lectures, courses and lab rotations before thesis research begins in year two.
Not eligible: Candidates with medical degrees (such as MBBS) and veterinary degrees typically cannot apply to this programme.

You don’t need to hold your degree when you apply, but you must have it before you start. Your university also needs to be recognised by German authorities, which you can check on the Anabin database.

What you need to apply

Required documents:

A CV (PDF, 2 to 3 pages)
Two letters of recommendation, submitted by your referees when invited, not by you
Transcripts and degree certificates for all completed degrees
Temporary or provisional transcripts for any degree you’re currently enrolled in

Recommended documents:

An English proficiency certificate (unless you are a native speaker). A TOEFL, IELTS or Cambridge ESOL report is ideal. If you can’t provide one, explain your English skills in the application form.
Details of relevant scholarships, prizes and awards
A document qualifying you for university studies, such as a high school diploma
GRE General and Subject scores in biochemistry, biology, chemistry or physics. The school particularly recommends a subject test if you studied outside the EU. Applicants from India can submit GATE scores instead.
A copy of your passport, especially if you are an international candidate outside the EU

The application form itself includes your letter of motivation. You’ll also name up to five recruiting groups that interest you and give a rationale for each. The school publishes a list of faculty planning to recruit in this round, so read it before you apply.

A rule worth noting: the school asks you to confirm in your motivation letter that AI has not been used to generate any application material.

File format: PDF, JPG or PNG, up to 4 MB per file. Documents must be in English or German, or translated by a certified translator or university officials, with a scan of the original included.

How to apply

The process has six steps, all through the online portal:

Check that you are eligible.
Register on the portal between 1 October and 10 November 2026.
Log in and name two referees.
Fill out the application form.
Upload all required documents.
Submit before 10 November.

Apply at imprs-bi.mpg.de (How to apply). The school only accepts complete applications through the portal. Don’t send applications by post or email, as they won’t be considered or returned. Your application isn’t complete until both letters of reference have also arrived, and you can’t edit once you’ve submitted.

Tips for a strong application

Start with the recruiting faculty list. You can name up to five groups, so read their recent papers and explain why each fits.
Contact your referees personally first, before the portal sends them the automated invitation. Applications missing letters after the deadline cannot be processed.
Write the motivation letter yourself. The school wants confirmation that no AI was used, so keep it specific and in your own voice.
Don’t wait for the last day. You can save and revise your application until you submit, so draft early and check every upload.
Document your English skills. Include a test report if you have one, or explain your background clearly if you don’t.

Want help with your application?

Found a programme that fits? Your mentor can help you sharpen your motivation letter, CV and recruiting-group shortlist before you submit. Book a call to get started.

For more personalized tips or templates contact our team.

www.applywithmentors.com