Information on the general application process of the Max Planck School of Cognition
A fully funded international doctoral program in Germany
The new application cycle for the doctoral program started on September 1st 2026. The application portal has opened again for intake in 2027! The program starts each year on September 1st.
General information on the application procedure
Your complete application needs to be submitted through our online application portal . Please prepare the following documents:
- Certificates or proof of current enrollment (B.S. and / or M.S.) (see FAQs 1.3-1.5)
- Copy of your passport / identity card
- Academic curriculum vitae
- Personal statement (see FAQ 2.2)
- Names of three potential supervisors from the Max Planck School of Cognition Fellows for your doctoral phase (2nd - 4th years; please do not contact the potential supervisors ahead of admission to the program; only necessary to identify 3 names of interest in the application)
- Contact of two referees for recommendation letters (see FAQs 3.5-3.6). Note, the deadline of the application call also applies to the referees
- Non-native English-speaking applicants must provide evidence of their English language proficiency (see FAQs 1.11-1.12)
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are voluntary and not a requirement
The previous GRE requirement is optional now.
The application involves a multi-step process from 1st of September until the end of March each year.
APPLICANT SUPPORT PROGRAM
(from September 1st through October 31st)
Are you looking for guidance in preparing your application for the Max Planck School of Cognition (MPSCog), but do not have easy access to academic support/resources?
Our Applicant Support Program is specifically designed to give applicants with a lack of certain resources or support an additional opportunity to improve their application. The program offers a one-time-only individual consultation/feedback on your application from a current doctoral candidate of the MPSCog. This consultation will be with respect to your CV and motivation letter only.
The deadline to apply for this program is end of October each year with limited capacity on a first-come-first-serve basis. It may fill the available places sooner than October 31st, dependent on response.
You can access the applicant support program via the application portal when logging in during an active application cycle.
Note: The Applicant Support program is independent of the screening and evaluation of complete applications, and will have no bearing on the final acceptance/rejection of the applicant into the MPSCog.
Online Q&A sessions about the application process
As in previous years, we offer our online Q&A sessions again to answer any questions you may have about the application process or the program in general. Please register here for the next Q&A session.
The Max Planck School of Cognition aims to recruit excellent students from all genders, nationalities, ethnic and social backgrounds, sexual orientations, and physical abilities. As part of our commitment to equal opportunities and diversity, we especially encourage applications from individuals who belong to underrepresented groups in science, such as women and people with disabilities.