Candidates may apply if they have (or will have) a master's
degree or equivalent in Sociology, especially Economic
Sociology; Political Science, especially Comparative
Political Economy; Organization Studies (Business
Administration); or related disciplines. A BA degree alone
does not fulfill the requirements. Students will be expected
to live and work in Cologne. Applicants' interests must fit
in the general topic of the SPCE program (see
How to Apply and
Research).
SPCE Fellowships for October are usually announced in
December of the preceding year. Please note the March 15 deadline! Applications arriving outside the period between
late December and March 15 cannot be considered.
Before submitting any documents familiarize yourself with
the application procedure (
How
to Apply). Further, take a look at the
IMPRS'
Faculty site for more
information on the Professors' work and projects. In your
letter of application, you should describe your research and
career interests. On the online application form, identify
one or two IMPRS Professors who could serve as your
dissertation mentors.
Your application should be in English or German. Please use the online
application forms. Your complete application for admission to the IMPRS- SPCE contains:
- Your filled out application form including your contact information, educational background, the naming of two recommenders and your choice of which faculty members you want to meet if invited for an interview
- Cover letter including motivation for entry to the IMPRS-SPCE program
- Curriculum Vitae (including academic training and professional experience)
- One example of scholarly work, up to 20 pages (seminar paper, chapter of your master thesis, etc.).
- A list of possible dissertation topics with a short explanation of each.
- Official transcripts/records of studies of all colleges/universities you have attended (scan or photocopy)
- Two letters of recommendation by mentors who know you well.
Your application must be submitted by March 15. The application procedure is online. For detailed information please see
How to Apply.
Up to seven students per year are admitted, based on a joint selection process by the MPIfG and the University of Cologne.
Courses are held in English or German. Knowledge of the German language is not mandatory for completing the program.
However, IMPRS-SPCE students are strongly encouraged to
learn some basic German before coming to Germany because it
will enable them to participate more fully in life at the
institute and the university.
Object of the School is to develop an empirically based theory of the social and political foundations of modern economies.
Using an institutional approach, work at the School examines how markets and business
organizations relate to the historical-institutional, political and cultural framework in which they are embedded,
and how institutional contexts change over time (see also
Research). Also take a look at the
IMPRS faculty's website for more information on their work and projects).
Students admitted to IMPRS-SPCE will receive a monthly scholarship of 1,100 EUR
in the first year, 1,200 EUR in the second year, and 1,300
EUR in the third year to cover their living expenses. The stipend is tax-free.
Students accompanied by a spouse who does not have an independent income will receive an additional 150 EUR per month. Students with dependent children accompanying them will receive 150 EUR per dependent child per month.
Degrees may be received from the University of Cologne but doctoral students are free to turn to other universities. International students may also choose to have their degree awarded by a university of their home country. In any case, organizational and procedural issues will be the doctoral students' responsibility. Neither the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies nor the IMPRS are degree-granting institutions.
Upon acceptance into the program, you will get an official letter of invitation (in English) and a letter for the German embassy of your country, to be submitted to the German embassy or a German consulate. Provided your visa application is complete, you will obtain your visa within a few days. If problems arise, please inform the coordination office.
Every student must have health insurance. This is also a prerequisite for enrollment at a German university. The Max Planck Society has concluded agreements with numerous insurance companies offering reasonable conditions and adequate coverage. The Max Planck Society does not pay any subsidies towards health insurance payments. You may also consider staying insured in your home country if the health insurance company covers you during studies in Germany.
Most German universities do not charge tuition. However, they
may require payment of
a small enrollment fee entitling students to certain
services. Presently, the University of Cologne charges
roughly 200 EUR per semester (6 months). Enrollment as a student is not
essential for participants in the SPCE program but it is
recommended. Enrollment entitles
students to a public transportation ticket good on all
local trains and buses in Cologne, Bonn and
vicinity (Semesterticket) and also to many student
discounts for cultural events and travel.
We request references from at least two scholars familiar with your academic work (one letter should be from your M. A. thesis research advisor) who can judge your potential as a PhD student. If your first language is not English, your referees should comment on your ability to read, write, and speak English. It is your responsibility to contact your referees and make sure they submit the relevant information before the deadline of application. For more information see
How to Apply.
The Visitors' Liaison at the MPIfG will help you find suitable housing in Cologne.
Typically, this is not possible since dissertations are developed under the supervision of a team of
SPCE faculty members and should reflect the conceptual framework of SPCE. It is, however, possible to stay
and work at the MPIfG as a visitor for up to twelve months. For more information, please refer to the MPIFG's
program for visiting researchers.
No, this program is only for students with a master's degree or equivalent who want to pursue a doctoral degree in the specified fields. For post-doctoral positions at the MPIfG please refer to
Job Openings.
This is not possible at the IMPRS-SPCE.
Sorry, applications for the IMPRS-SPCE program are only accepted at the beginning of each calendar year (see also When can I apply?). The deadline is March
15.
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