Application Process

Applications for the 2026 IMPRS-CBP cohort will open soon. Our online portal will accept applications from January 23 until March 11, 2026.

All applications must be submitted through the Open Campus system. E-mail applications cannot be considered.

If you plan to apply, please review the eligibility criteria and prepare your documents in advance. The full timeline for the 2026 recruitment call is also published on our website. Follow our social media channels for timely reminders.

In order to complete your applicaiton, please follow these steps:

Check your eligibility before starting your application
Review our recruiting faculty and select four faculty members that best match your scientific background and research interests
Register through our online application portal. Applications received via e-mail will not be considered
Complete the application form between January 23 and March 11
Upload the required documents
Provide the contact information of up to four referees
Submit your application and referee contract details before March 11
Ensure your referees complete their evaluations by March 17

You may save your application in the online portal and return to complete it at any time before submission. Please be aware that the application and the referee information must be submitted as two separate actions. Once the application has been submitted, it can no longer be edited.

Application Form

Applications are accepted exclusively through the Open Campus portal. Applicants must create an account and complete the form between January 23 and March 11. We encourage applicants to register with a personal e-mail address, not an institutional one, as this account will be used throughout the entire PhD.

In the application form, you will be asked to:

Select four recruiting faculty members you would be interested in joining and potentially rotating with. Your explanations for these choices play a significant role in the evaluation. Be specific about how your past experience aligns with the selected research groups and how your interests fit their work.
Provide an overview of your Bachelor’s and Master’s studies
Describe your research experience
Upload the required documents
Provide referee contact details

Referees

Applicants must provide contact information of up to four referees with institutional e-mail addresses. Once you submit their contact details, each referee will automatically receive an evaluation link. You will be able to see in Open Campus whether your referee has submitted their evaluation.

Your application will only be considered if at least two of your four referees submit their evaluations by March 17. Recommendation letters are not required, but additional letters may be included in your optional documents. We require that you contact your referees before entering their details in the system and remind them ahead of the deadline. The later you provide their information, the less time they will have to complete the evaluation.

Required Documents

Please submit the following documents in PDF format:

Transcripts and certificates for all completed degrees
Preliminary transcripts for degrees currently in progress
Curriculum Vitae

All documents must be provided in German or English. Documents in other languages must be submitted with a certified translation. Note that encripted documents can block the entire application; make sure that all documents are readable without passwords.

Optional Documents

You may include the following in a single additional PDF file:

Proof of English language proficiency
Certificates of scholarships, awards, or prizes

Selection Process

Each application undergoes a multi-step evaluation to ensure a fair and thorough selection.

The IMPRS-CBP coordination office reviews all submitted applications to identify candidates whose background, research experience, motivation, and referee evaluations align strongly with the program. Particular attention is given to the fit between the applicant’s stated interests and the IMPRS-CBP research areas. In the next step, several faculty members who were not selected by the applicant assess the application. This blind evaluation helps us ensure objectivity and balance. Faculty members rate the overall scientific profile, research potential, and program fit of each candidate.

The ranked and commented applications are forwarded to the faculty members the candidates selected in their application form. They review the files and identify candidates they wish to interview based on their scientific strengths, research alignment, and potential fit within their groups. The recruiting board then meets to discuss all recommendations and agrees on a final shortlist of approximately 30 candidates. Shortlisted applicants are notified in early May and receive instructions for preparing a short research presentation and scheduling interviews with faculty. Online interviews take place in mid-May. Candidates present their research experience and engage in multiple discussions with faculty members. Final decisions are communicated in early June.

Non-shortlisted applicants are not contacted immediately, as a small number may still be reconsidered later in the process depending on interview outcomes.

Note: All deadlines refer to 23:59 (CET/CEST), Germany local time.