Max Planck Institute PreDoctoral Fellowship 2026-27

The Max Planck Institute PreDoctoral Fellowship is offered by the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science. The fellowship is a prestigious financial award designed to support outstanding doctoral candidates who wish to spend a research period at the institute. Selected candidates will receive a monthly stipend of €1,650 for a period of three to six months.

Source: mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de

The Max Planck Institute for the History of Science is offering this opportunity.

To be eligible, an applicant must:-

• be a doctoral candidate from Germany or outside Germany who has not yet completed their PhD
• pursue research in the history of science or related disciplines
• be registered as a PhD student at a university in Germany or abroad
• commit to a research stay of three to six months at the MPIWG

Note:- Fellowship recipients must not receive income from another source above a specified threshold for the duration of the fellowship.

The selected fellows will receive a monthly stipend of up to €1,365 (approx. ₹1,44,796.47for fellowships starting on January 1, 2026, or later) for 3-6 months of research at the institute. Fellows may also receive a health insurance subsidy of up to €100 (approx. ₹10,607) per month (50% of monthly fees).

Eligible applicants can apply by following these steps:-
Step 1: Click on the 'Apply Now' button below.
Step 2: Click on the 'Register' button and fill in the required registration details (Note:- If already registered, log in using Gmail/Mobile number/Email ID).
Step 3: Select the specific department or research group you wish to apply to and click on it under the ‘Application Process’ tab
Step 4: Choose your language and position, then click on the ‘Next’ button.
Step 5: Read the consent info and click on the ‘Tick box’, then again click on the ‘Next’ button.
Step 6: Fill in the required information and upload the necessary documents. Review your application and click on the ‘Submit’ button.

• Cover Letter (max 1 MB)
• Curriculum Vitae (max 1 MB)
• Research proposal
• Letter of Recommendation/Reference
• Master’s Certificate (max 5 MB)
• Doctoral Certificate (max 1 MB)

Candidates will be selected based on document review and eligibility criteria.

Application Deadline: 15 January 2026

Question: Who is offering the Max Planck Institute PreDoctoral Fellowship opportunity?
Answer: The Max Planck Institute for the History of Science is offering this opportunity.

Question: How much is the fellowship worth?
Answer: The fellowship provides a monthly stipend of €1,365 for 3-6 months (€1,650 for fellowships starting on January 1, 2026 or later).

Question: Who is eligible for the Max Planck Institute PreDoctoral Fellowship?
Answer: Doctoral candidates from Germany or abroad who have not completed their PhD and are registered at a university are eligible to apply for the fellowship.

Question: What is the duration of the fellowship?
Answer: The fellowship period ranges from three to six months.

Question: Is health insurance required?
Answer: Yes, fellows must provide proof of health insurance coverage within 14 days of the fellowship start date.

• Fellows must devote their time fully to the project for which the stipend was awarded.
• Fellowships are typically offered for periods between 3-6 months.
• Fellows must hold a PhD and have defended their dissertation before taking up the fellowship.
• Failure to provide health insurance proof within 14 days means the stipend will be deemed not to have been awarded.