The University of Göttingen’s International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) Molecular Biology MSc/PhD programme is accepting applications for the autumn 2027 intake until 15 January 2027. The integrated programme offers a €992 monthly IMPRS stipend during the master’s stage, plus a health-insurance subsidy of up to €100 per month when applicable. PhD-stage funding is normally provided by the host institution through employment or funding contracts.
Göttingen Molecular Biology MSc/PhD 2027 — Key Details
- University: Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Germany
- Programme: Molecular Biology (MSc/PhD), International Max Planck Research School
- Entry level: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
- Application period: 15 September 2026 to 15 January 2027
- Main application deadline: 15 January 2027, 24:00 CET
- Study start: Autumn 2027
- Teaching language: English
- MSc funding: €992/month, plus up to €100/month health-insurance subsidy when applicable
- PhD funding: Normally funded by the supervising/hosting institution through employment or funding contracts
Funding and Benefits
According to the University of Göttingen, students in the master’s stage who do not already hold comparable external funding receive an International Max Planck Research School stipend of €992 per month. A health-insurance subsidy of up to €100 per month may also be available when health insurance is not covered through a home or family policy.
During the PhD stage, students are usually funded by the hosting institution. The programme also maintains limited start-up, bridging or wrap-up funding where needed. Separate budgets are available for activities such as international conferences, research stays abroad and student-organized scientific or cultural events.
Important cost note: Göttingen states that tuition is largely covered by the German government, but students may still pay a semester fee of approximately €400, depending on the scholarship arrangement. Applicants should therefore treat this as a strongly funded programme rather than assume that every possible personal or semester cost is automatically covered.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants should normally meet the following academic requirements:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, or be completing an eligible degree.
- Have at least 120 ECTS credits or equivalent at the time of application.
- Have a background in molecular biosciences, cell biology, biochemistry, biophysics, biotechnology or a closely related discipline.
- Have very good English-language skills. An internationally recognized test is one possible form of proof, but the programme also states that an English-taught bachelor’s degree or an extended stay in an English-speaking country may be accepted. German is not required.
Required Application Information and Documents
The official application instructions indicate that applicants provide personal and academic information, motivation, language proficiency, honors/awards and preferred research groups. The core uploaded documents include:
- CV with photo
- Current transcript or marksheet
- Certificate/diploma for completed degree programmes where the certificate has already been issued
- Contact details of two referees who will submit recommendation letters
Certified copies are not required at the initial application stage, although certified documents are required after admission for university enrollment.
How to Apply
- Open the official Molecular Biology MSc/PhD online application portal.
- Create an account or sign in if you have previously registered.
- Complete the personal, academic, language, motivation and research-interest sections.
- Upload the required CV, transcript/marksheet and degree certificate where applicable.
- Enter the contact details of two referees and inform them early so they can submit their letters on time.
- Review the complete application carefully and submit it before the official deadline.
Deadline and Reference-Letter Timing
The main online application deadline for the autumn 2027 intake is 15 January 2027. The admissions page states that online registration closes at 24:00 CET on that date.
Reference-letter caution: two official Göttingen pages currently show slightly different wording: one says recommendation letters arriving after 17 January cannot be considered, while another says only letters reaching the programme by 18 January can be considered. Because of that inconsistency, the safest approach is to ask referees to submit their letters by the main 15 January 2027 application deadline.
Selection Process
Admission is conducted in three stages. First, the admissions board evaluates the online application, including academic qualifications and motivation. Approximately 15–20% of applicants are then shortlisted for 15-minute online interviews. Candidates who advance to the final stage complete two 30-minute interviews. For the 2027 round, the programme lists first-round interviews on 25–26 January 2027 and final interviews on 8–10 February 2027.
Applicant Tips
- Contact your two referees well before submitting the application.
- Use the motivation section to connect your academic background with the programme’s molecular-bioscience research strengths.
- Review undergraduate-level molecular biology, biochemistry, structural biology, cell biology and related laboratory methods before the interview stage.
- Do not assume that a specific English test is mandatory if you qualify through another accepted proof route; follow the programme’s current instructions.
Related Scholarship Opportunities
- IMPRS-ML Fully Funded PhD Positions 2027
- Freiburg DAAD-MEG Scholarship 2027/28
- Humboldt Research Fellowship 2027 in Germany
- EMMIR Erasmus Mundus Scholarship 2027
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Göttingen Molecular Biology MSc/PhD programme open for 2027?
Yes. The official application portal states that the fall 2027 application period opened on 15 September 2026 and closes on 15 January 2027.
How much is the MSc stipend?
The programme states that eligible MSc students receive €992 per month, plus a health-insurance subsidy of up to €100 per month when applicable.
Is the PhD stage funded?
Normally yes, but the mechanism is different from the MSc stipend. PhD students are usually funded by their hosting institution through employment or funding contracts.
Do I need German?
No. The programme is taught in English and German-language knowledge is not required for admission.
What is the safest deadline for recommendation letters?
Because two official pages currently show slightly different post-deadline cutoffs, applicants should aim to have both recommendation letters submitted by 15 January 2027.
Official Sources
- University of Göttingen — Molecular Biology MSc/PhD programme
- University of Göttingen — Application requirements
- University of Göttingen — Admissions and selection
- University of Göttingen — Finances
- Official online application portal
ScholarshipHubNow verifies material scholarship and admissions facts against official sources. Applicants should recheck the official programme pages before submitting because programme details can change.
