Frequently Asked Questions about the IMPRS-BAC application

 

When will the next call for applications be announced?

A new call for applications will be announced in October 2026. The deadline for candidates to submit their written applications is the 7th of December 2026 (23:59 CET). We do not accept any materials after the application deadline. The deadline for referees to submit their recommendation letters is the 14th of December 2026 (23:59 CET).

I missed the deadline, can I still apply?

Not through the application platform. We have one central admission round per year, which is open from October to December, with selection taking place in March/April. Successful candidates can start between April and November (exceptions possible). If you are looking for a doctoral position at short notice, you can try to contact participating PIs directly.
 

How does the application procedure work?

The application procedure comprises four stages: 1) All written applications are first reviewed for completeness by the IMPRS coordinator. 2) The IMPRS-BAC faculty reviews all complete written applications and invites the most promising candidates to upload a video presentation describing a research project they were involved in. 3) Online Q&A sessions (20 minutes per candidate) with our faculty about the uploaded presentation follow some days later. 4) The most promising candidates among them are invited to Berlin for personal interviews with our recruiting faculty members, a journal club-like paper discussion, lab tours, and meetings with our current doctoral candidates. Decisions on the awarding of doctoral positions are made based on candidates’ performance throughout the selection process. Successful applicants are offered a position soon after the selection meeting. 
 

When will I hear about my application?

All candidates will be informed by email of the status of their written application by the end of January 2027. Candidates on the shortlist will be invited for interviews at the end of March 2027. Acceptance decisions should be communicated in April 2027. 

What kind of academic degree do I need to apply to the IMPRS-BAC?

By the time of doctoral start at the IMPRS-BAC, applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree (preparatory program​​​​​​, see below​) and/or master’s degree in molecular biology, biochemistry, mathematics, bioinformatics or any related areas.
 

I have a bachelor's degree. Can I apply to the IMPRS-BAC?

While it is common to start a PhD with a bachelor’s degree in the US, this is not possible in most European universities. You need to have master's degree. Nevertheless, exceptional candidates with a bachelor's degree in the computational/mathematical sciences and aiming for a doctorate in those fields can apply to the "preparatory program". You can tick a box to that effect in the application form. In the preparatory program you will be required to take lectures at the Freie Universität Berlin for the first 18 months, and then take an oral qualifying exam. Upon passing this exam, you may start your doctoral project. You may gain a master's degree in the preparatory program. Depending on your background, some knowledge of German may be essential, as some lectures at that level are given in German only.

If your degree is in the biological sciences and you are aiming for a lab-based doctorate, unfortunately, we cannot offer you entry into the preparatory program.
 

I have a 5-year combined bachelor's and master's degree. Can I apply to the IMPRS-BAC?

Yes.
 

My degree will be granted in January/February/March 2028. Can I apply to the IMPRS-BAC?

You must have completed your master's degree by the time you start your doctoral project. We would like all new students to attend a Welcome Week in November 2027. This means that in most cases, your degree should be granted by September 2027. Exceptions may be possible.
 

I already have a doctorate. Can I apply to the IMPRS?

In Germany, you cannot receive another doctorate in the same field twice. Please explain your situation clearly in the application form. If in doubt, contact the PhD coordinator. However, the majority of our doctoral students come to us for their first doctorate.
 

Can I complete the doctoral program on a part-time basis?

No. Our doctoral program requires a full-time commitment from all doctoral candidates.

How many calls for applications are organised each year?

We recruit new doctoral candidates once a year. The annual call for applications typically opens in early October and remains open until mid-December of the year preceding recruitment.
 

How does the IMPRS-BAC deal with underrepresented groups and potential evaluation bias during the application process?

The doctoral positions are awarded to applicants based on the excellence and quality of their application. All applications are treated equally with regard to gender, ability and disability, sexual identity, nationality, ethnicity, religion, age, social background, possible care obligations, and any other factors. The Gender Equality Officer of the MPI for Molecular Genetics can be contacted confidentially in advance of or during any application should you have any concerns or questions regarding equal opportunities.
 

Are all faculty members recruiting this year?

No. You can assume everyone who has provided short proposals here is interested in hiring a doctoral candidate this year. But there may be other faculty members who are also recruiting. As this may depend on available third-party funding, this information is liable to change up until the interview days.

Do I need to apply for funding separately?

No. Accepted candidates will receive a funded doctoral position for a minimum of three years. Funding details vary between IMPRS groups and should be discussed during the selection. 

Can I use AI to prepare my application?

Applicants must prepare their application materials independently. The application must reflect the applicant’s own ideas, creativity, and intellectual work.

The use of artificial intelligence tools is permitted only for minor language correction or polishing, and only if used sparingly, with the utmost integrity, and in accordance with the principles of good scientific practice. Any such use must be explicitly declared.

Any use of AI beyond this limited purpose, e.g., for generating content, is strictly prohibited. Applications will be checked for plagiarism and the use of AI. Any occurence of plagiarism or the undeclared use of AI will result in the immediate disqualification of the application.

Beforehand, you should familiarize yourself with the limitations of using AI. AI-supported and AI-generated content tends to be generic and inauthentic, with repetitive sentence structures and vocabulary. AI tools can also produce 'hallucinations', such as information that seems plausible but is incorrect, or references to non-existent publications. Your application will be reviewed by several experts in the field who will rapidly identify these errors. Applications containing false information or generated by AI will be immediately rejected.
 

How do I apply to the IMPRS-BAC?

To apply for the IMPRS-BAC you must use the online application form on the Application page. We do not accept applications through email or regular mail.
 

What should I do before I apply?

Before submitting any documents, please familiarize yourself with the application procedure (Application page). Please also take a close look at the IMPRS-BAC faculty website and the faculty members’ individual websites and publications to find out more about the focus of their research. Think about how your research project might fit in with their research interests. On the online application form, identify the IMPRS-BAC faculty members who you think might serve as your doctoral thesis supervisor.
 

Is there an application fee?

No, there is no application fee.
 

Do I need to submit certified copies of all my certificates?

Non-certified copies are sufficient for the application process. Accepted candidates must produce the original documents at Freie Universität Berlin for enrolment. 
 

Do I need to contact a potential supervisor before submitting my application?

No. You may contact them, e.g., if you have a scientific question about a proposal you are tailoring to fit their group. However, a lack of response does not mean that this PI is not interested in you - they may simply not always be able to address all questions.
 

Why do I need to provide the names of the PIs I am interested in already now?

This way we can ensure that your application will be seen by the most suitable faculty members. If you are invited for an interview and your preferences change in the meantime, this is not a problem and you will have a chance to speak to the PIs whose research is most interesting to you at that point.

How to choose my referees?

You should spend enough time choosing suitable referees as they give extra information about your academic and lab performance, skills, character, and conduct and this can decide whether you are offered a doctoral position or not. The best reference letters are provided by people who know you well. We recommend you pick persons you worked very closely with, your current/previous supervisor, mentor, boss, teacher, lecturer or tutor. Please, make sure you obtain permission from the referees that you can nominate them, preferably beforehand, and inform them of the application deadline. Please provide their institutional email address. Never use a friend or family member as a referee. 
 

How will my referees be contacted?

When completing your application, you need to supply the email addresses of two referees. Your referees will be automatically contacted by email AFTER YOU SUBMIT THE FULL APPLICATION and asked to fill out an online reference form. Any other reference letter format is invalid.

The deadline for referees is one week later than the deadline for applicants (14th of December 2026). Letters of recommendation are not accepted after this deadline. Please give your referees enough time to do so by submitting early, notify them that they will receive an email from support@drs.fu-berlin.de, so it is not deleted or overlooked, and encourage them to submit their reference letter in a timely manner. If your referees have not received the email, it is suggested to check the spam folder.

You will be able to see whether your letters of reference have been uploaded in "My progress" on the left-hand side of your application page. For this, log in at https://www.drs.fu-berlin.de/user using the username and password set when you created your DRS account. 
 

I submitted my application but my referees have still not received an email asking them to submit their reference letter. What can I do?

Please double-check if your referee’s email address is correct. If so, the email sent by support@drs.fu-berlin.de may be in their spam folder. Please ask them to check.
 

Can I submit additional reference letters with my application?

No. Only reference letters provided through the application platform by your two referees will be accepted. Faxed, mailed or emailed reference letters will not be considered.
 

What if one of my referee does not provide a reference before the deadline?

Your application will be considered incomplete and therefore not qualify for the application phase. We strongly recommend you check in with your referees until submission. It is your responsibility to ensure that references are submitted on time. 
 

How can I replace one of my referees?

Please contact imprs-bac@molgen.mpg.de.

Can I save the data of my application, complete it and submit it later?

Yes, you can. Once your application has been submitted, revisions cannot be made anymore. Please review your application carefully before submitting it. We strongly recommend that you submit your application as early as possible to give enough time to your referees to send references.
 

I submitted my application but I have not received any confirmation email. Did I do everything correctly?

Yes, we do not send confirmation emails. You can check the status of your application in "My progress" on the left hand side of your application page. For this, log in at https://www.drs.fu-berlin.de/user using the usename and password set when you created your DRS account. 
 

Will you pay for my trip to attend the interview days in Berlin?

Yes, up to a reasonable limit. We will also provide accommodation in Berlin for the duration of the interviews.
 

I may not be able to attend the interview days. Is this a problem?

We would prefer it if everyone who is invited to the interview attends them in person. However, in some cases, visa processing times may not permit attendance and we will interview you via video call. 

 

What is the IMPRS's working language?

English. Fluency in spoken and written English is required. Knowledge of German is not necessary but we do encourage learning German and offer financial support to learn German to our IMPRS doctoral candidates.
 

Do I need to take language tests such as TOEFL or IELTS before applying?

To be admitted to this program, you must demonstrate proficiency in English at a minimum of B2 level on the CEFR scale. As part of your application, you must submit proof of your English proficiency, such as the results of an official English language test. Native speakers of English are exempt from this requirement.