IMPRS-BAC is accepting applications for funded 2027 doctoral positions in Berlin at the interface of biology and computation. The candidate deadline is 7 December 2026, 23:59 CET; references are due 14 December 2026, 23:59 CET. Funding lasts at least three years, but the amount varies by group.
Official sources checked on 18 October 2026.
What is funded?
The official FAQ says accepted candidates receive funded positions without a separate funding application. It does not publish a universal salary or stipend. Ask your prospective group about gross pay, deductions, contract duration and any extension conditions before budgeting.
Our guidance: Treat “funded” as the start of a financial check, not the answer to every cost question. Compare expected take-home income with rent, deposits, insurance and relocation expenses. Keep one-off arrival costs separate from monthly spending; a quoted gross amount is not your disposable budget.
Eligibility and research fit
The current call seeks an above-average master’s or comparable degree by September 2027 in a relevant field, research experience, strong English and a proposal aligned with recruiting faculty. Biology, biochemistry, bioinformatics, mathematics and related backgrounds are relevant. The degree is awarded by Freie Universität Berlin.
The FAQ describes an exceptional computational/mathematical bachelor’s preparatory route, not a general direct-entry route for biological laboratory applicants. Check English evidence requirements there rather than assuming every English-taught degree automatically qualifies.
Fit analysis: This opportunity is strongest for applicants who can connect a biological question with a defensible analytical or experimental approach. A computational applicant should explain why the biological system matters; an experimental applicant should explain how the resulting evidence will be analysed. You do not need to pretend to be expert in both areas.
Documents and application steps
Prepare the portal form, degree certificates and transcripts in German or English, faculty preferences, a project proposal and details of two willing referees using institutional addresses. Follow the portal’s full checklist. There is no application fee.
- Read the call, FAQ and current recruiting-project list.
- Identify a group whose question and methods match your preparation.
- Register through the official Dahlem Research School portal.
- Prepare and check the complete file independently.
- Submit early, then monitor the reference status.
The FAQ says referee invitations are sent only after full submission; submitted applications cannot be revised. Check status in “My progress”: the programme does not send a submission-confirmation email.
Practical safeguard: Tell referees when you intend to submit and when their task becomes available. Maintain a checklist distinguishing “requested”, “received” and “verified”. Do not mistake a reminder sent to a referee for a completed reference. Build time for an incorrect address or spam-filter problem.
Important: the application AI policy
IMPRS-BAC requires applicants’ own intellectual work. AI is allowed only sparingly for minor language correction, with explicit declaration; generated application content or undeclared use can disqualify an applicant.
Our recommendation: Use this article to understand logistics, not as wording to paste into your proposal. Keep your research reasoning and examples genuinely yours. A polished paragraph cannot substitute for the ability to defend its assumptions in an interview.
How selection works
The call evaluates qualifications, motivation, application quality, references and interviews. Selection progresses through written review, a research video and online questions, then a Berlin interview stage. Follow the current call for invitations and dates; the FAQ and call differ slightly in some interview timing details.
Preparation advice: Choose a previous project you can explain from problem to limitation. Separate your contribution from the team’s contribution. Practise describing a negative result and what it changed. For a paper discussion, identify the central claim, the evidence supporting it and one alternative explanation. These exercises make your understanding testable without scripting an answer.
Frequently asked questions
Is a fixed monthly amount confirmed?
No universal rate is published in the checked sources. Confirm the group’s funding terms.
Is this the same as the umbrella Max Planck Schools route?
No. This is IMPRS Biology and Computation’s specific Berlin recruitment call.
Can I email an application?
Use the official online route; email is not a substitute.
What should I ask before accepting?
Clarify supervision, project expectations, funding conditions and the practical start date in writing.
Apply Now — Official Dahlem Research School Portal
Compare related research opportunities
- EMBL International PhD Programme
- Göttingen Molecular Biology MSc/PhD
- Max Planck Schools graduate routes
Compare the actual research question and entry requirements, not simply the funder’s name.
Official sources
- 2027 call, deadlines, selection and policy
- Funding and application FAQ
- IMPRS-BAC programme information and recruiting-project navigation
ScholarshipHubNow is independent of the programme. The institution makes final eligibility and selection decisions.
