DAAD-GSSP Scholarships for International PhD 2026

The International Max Planck Research School for Biology And Computation (IMPRS-BAC) at the MPI for Molecular Genetics and Freie Universität Berlin invites applications for two DAAD-GSSP scholarships for international doctoral candidates funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) as part of the Graduate School Scholarship Programme (GSSP) for a maximum of 4 years. The DAAD provides detailed information on the scope of the scholarship in the Guidelines and Information for Nominees.

Summary

1. Application Deadline: January 7, 2026
2. Value: €1,400/month + travel, insurance, and research allowance
3. Study Level: PhD
4. Sponsor: Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science
5. Course to Study: Biology and Computation
6. Eligible Country: All International

Eligibility Criteria for DAAD-GSSP Scholarships for International PhD 2026

1. You are highly motivated to pursue a doctorate in your chosen research field and you not have completed a PhD previously.
2. You hold an above-average Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a discipline relevant to the chosen project.
3. You have very good English skills and are willing to learn basic German.
4. You are a non-German citizen, and, as of 30 April 2026, you have not been resident in Germany for more than the last 15 months.
5. You should not have graduated any longer than six years before 30 April 2026 (exceptions s. Section 2)

Selection procedure:

The selection of doctoral candidates is highly competitive and entirely based on qualification, motivation for doctoral studies at the interface between molecular life sciences and computational sciences, a research proposal, and references. The IMPRS-BAC is committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages applications from such qualified individuals. Furthermore, the IMPRS-BAC strives for gender equality and diversity and aims for a balanced composition with respect to gender and regarding national and international candidates. We seek to increase the number of women in areas where they are underrepresented, so we explicitly encourage women to apply. To minimize unconscious bias, we kindly ask you not to include a photo in your CV.

Benefits of DAAD-GSSP Scholarships for International PhD 2026

The scholarship includes:

1. scholarship payments of currently € 1,400 a month;
2. a travel allowance;
3. payments towards health, accident and personal liability insurance cover;
4. a research allowance of currently € 460 per year (for scholarship holders from countries listed in the DAC List of ODA recipients), or € 260 per year (for scholarship holders from other countries);
5. under certain circumstances, grant holders may receive the following additional benefits:
6. monthly rent subsidy (calculated individually, usually about € 50 to 125 per month);
7. monthly allowance for accompanying family members (about € 200 child allowance per child and about € 275 marriage allowance);
8. in the case of a disability or chronic illness: subsidy for additional costs which result from the disability or chronic illness and are not covered by other funding providers
9. a preparatory German language course (if available, applicable and feasible, taking into account the starting date of the scholarship);
10. a material resources and supervision allowance of currently € 1,000 per year, which is paid upon application to the host institution.

They also offer:

1. full membership at the IMPRS-BAC for the duration of the doctoral studies;
2. cutting-edge research in a variety of areas in biology and computation, with possible specializations in genomic and molecular biology techniques as well as in algorithms, statistics and artificial intelligence for molecular genetics;
3. a degree from the Freie Universität Berlin;
4. excellent structured supervision through a thesis advisory committee;
5. a diverse community to exchange ideas with ;
6. a flexible and challenging curriculum of scientific courses and transferable skills;
7. support for attending conferences to present your work;
8. an international graduate program in one of Europe's most exciting cities;
9. German classes

How to Apply

Inquiries: please check the application FAQ and feel free to contact the PhD coordinator.

For more information, visit Max Planck scholarship webpage.

Application Deadline

January 7, 2026

Application Link(s)

• Apply for DAAD-GSSP Scholarships for International PhD 2026