About this opportunity
The Max Planck School of Cognition is a German doctoral network that treats human cognition as a single subject approached from many directions. Its research spans artificial intelligence, biology, cognitive neuroscience, genetics, linguistics, mathematics, neurobiology, neuroimaging, neurology, neurophysics, psychology and psychiatry, so a physicist and a linguist can end up on the same question.
The 2027 cycle opened on 1 September 2026 and the portal closes at the end of October 2026. The school is direct about the pressure in that window: capacity is limited and places are filled on a first come, first served basis, and can be gone before 31 October. Reviewed applications move to a virtual interview stage on 23 and 24 February 2027, and the programme itself begins each year on 1 September.
Recruitment reaches across all genders, nationalities, ethnic and social backgrounds, and the school especially encourages people from groups under represented in science. Non native English speakers provide evidence of English proficiency, the GRE has moved from required to voluntary, and applicants without academic guidance at home can request a one time consultation on their CV and motivation letter from a current doctoral candidate through the applicant support programme.
What you receive
- A doctoral programme the school describes as fully funded with extensive support
- A doctoral phase running into the second, third and fourth year alongside an MPSCog fellow
- Access to top research labs, interdisciplinary exchange and innovative teaching infrastructure
- A one time individual consultation on your CV and motivation letter from a current MPSCog doctoral candidate
- Virtual interviews, so no travel is needed to reach the selection stage
Who can apply
- Open to applicants of all nationalities, with no country restriction published on the application page
- You work in or toward a discipline connected to cognition, including artificial intelligence, biology, cognitive neuroscience, genetics, linguistics, mathematics, neurobiology, neuroimaging, neurology, neurophysics, psychology or psychiatry
- You submit either a certificate or proof of current enrolment for your BSc or MSc, so applicants still studying can apply
- Non native English speakers provide evidence of English language proficiency
- The GRE is voluntary and is no longer a requirement
Who should not apply
- Do not contact potential supervisors ahead of admission, the school asks that you simply name three of interest in the application
Documents to prepare
- Certificates or proof of current enrolment for your BSc and or MSc
- A copy of your passport or identity card
- An academic curriculum vitae
- A personal statement
- The names of three potential supervisors from the Max Planck School of Cognition
- The names of MPSCog fellows for your doctoral phase, covering the second to fourth years
- Contact details for two referees who can write recommendation letters
- Evidence of English language proficiency if English is not your first language
How to apply
- Read the full call at https://cognition.maxplanckschools.org/en/application, including the FAQ entries the page links to
- Create your profile in the school application portal at https://mps.cloud.opencampus.net/
- Assemble your documents, your personal statement and your supervisor and fellow choices
- Send your referees their invitations early, because the same closing date applies to their recommendation letters
- Submit through the portal before 31 October 2026, and as early as you can since places are filled as applications arrive
Selection process
- The application runs as a multi step process from 1 September to the end of March each cycle
- Applications are reviewed against academic background and research fit
- Shortlisted candidates are invited to virtual interviews on 23 and 24 February 2027
- Places are limited and allocated on a first come, first served basis while the cycle is open
Sources and verification
Related opportunities
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- Simons Foundation Fellows-to-Faculty Award 2027
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Questions applicants ask
Is there an age limit?
No age limit appears on the application page.
Do I need GRE scores?
No. The school states the Graduate Record Examination is voluntary and not a requirement, replacing an earlier mandatory rule.
Can I apply from outside Europe?
Yes. The school recruits excellent students of all nationalities and especially encourages applicants from under represented groups.
What if I have no academic mentor locally?
The applicant support programme gives a one time consultation on your CV and motivation letter from a current MPSCog doctoral candidate, accessed through the portal during an active cycle.
Important disclaimer
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