A group of seven young adults sitting together outdoors, engaging in conversation and smiling.

Information for Applicants

Applicants must have a proven record of academic excellence and hold a master's degree or equivalent in a discipline relevant to the School's research. The ability to do scholarly work in English is a prerequisite for admission. We welcome students from Germany and abroad.

This competitive program admits up to eight students each year through a selection process jointly undertaken by the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies (MPIfG), the University of Cologne, and the University of Duisburg-Essen. Admission is in part contingent on the availability of thesis supervisors in the student's area of research interest.

Eligibility

Young researchers talking outside — IMPRS-SPCE students work in small groups in close consultation with their advisors.

© MPIfG/Jan Knoff

IMPRS-SPCE students work in small groups in close consultation with their advisors.

© MPIfG/Jan Knoff

Applicants must hold a master's degree or equivalent in a discipline relevant to the School's program (sociology, political science, economics, or related fields). Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview. Notiﬁcation of acceptance is in May, and the program begins in October. Degrees must be received by the end of September in the year applicants would enroll in the program. Candidates must have a proven record of academic excellence. In their research proposal, applicants must specify their research interests, and they are asked to identify an advisor from the program faculty. Please note, however, that, to ensure fair treatment for all candidates, we do not hold preliminary discussions about topics or supervision with potential applicants.

Applicants must have high English proficiency. Students may write their thesis in German or English, but they must be able to present their work at workshops and conferences in English and participate in courses taught in English and based on literature only available in English. Special training in English writing is available for our students. We also strongly urge our international students to learn German – doing so will give them greater access to German culture and enable them to participate more fully in the intellectual and social life of the Institute and the universities.

Academic advisors and degrees

A woman in a blue shirt and a man in a dark shirt are smiling and engaging in conversation on a sunny day near a railing. — The ability to do scholary work in English is a prerequisite for admission.

© MPIfG/Jan Knoff

The ability to do scholary work in English is a prerequisite for admission.

© MPIfG/Jan Knoff

During the program, doctoral students are advised by a member of the IMPRS-SPCE faculty. Applicants are asked to name one or two preferred advisors. Please note, however, that, to ensure fair treatment for all candidates, we do not hold preliminary discussions about topics or supervision with potential applicants.

The IMPRS-SPCE does not grant academic degrees itself. Students usually submit their doctoral theses to the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences of the University of Cologne or the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Duisburg-Essen.

Application schedule

Detailed application schedule will be announced in December 2025. The deadline for applications will likely be in February 2026 and the interviews will probably be scheduled in late March/early April.

October 1: The program start date is October 1.