University graduates with outstanding qualifications can work on their doctorates at Max Planck Institutes in areas that are part of the research at that Institute. The academic degree is awarded by a university, as the Max Planck Society is not authorized to do so.

The International Max Planck Research Schools (IMPRS) are a special instrument for training doctoral candidates. Located at selected MPI with exceptional conditions, the IMPRS offer structured Ph.D. programs in English that provide the candidates with excellent educational and research possibilities as a result of the cooperation between Max Planck Institutes and universities.

The Max Planck Society does not have a central procedure or a central location for awarding fellowships for doctoral candidates. Each individual Max Plank Institute or International Max Planck Research School is responsible for selecting candidates. Interested university graduates have to contact the individual Max-Planck-Institute or International Max Planck Research Schools that work in the area relevant to their academic profile.