Turning research ideas into reality: MPI-M Incubator Program

The Max Planck Institute for Meteorology (MPI-M) brings together leading minds in Earth System Science, Physics, Mathematics, and Computational Modeling in an excellent and world-leading research environment.

The Incubator Program is an initiative within the framework of our guest program designed for researchers from around the world who are envisioning groundbreaking projects and are seeking a host institution to incubate their project idea and to write a funding proposal. Whether you are planning to submit to renowned funding agencies such as the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (AvH Fellowships), the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action for Postdoctoral or Global Fellowships (MSCA PF or MSCA GF), the European Research Council (ERC), the German Research Foundation for Emmy Noether Programme (DFG), the Max Planck Research Group (MPFG), or comparable programs, the MPI-M offers the ideal environment to refine your research vision.

What we offer

Incubator researchers will receive a well-funded research stay to refine their research ideas in proposals, working closely with our experts, benefitting from excellent infrastructure, and familiarizing themselves with our institute to explore us as a potential host or partner on the project. Support includes a monthly living allowance of up to €2,500, and a mobility allowance to help cover travelling expenses of up to €2,500 for a stay of 2 weeks to 3 months, depending on project needs and targeted funding programs.

Who we’re looking for

We seek researchers with a doctorate and a strong scientific background in Physics, Computer Sciences, Earth System Science, or related areas. We value diversity and encourage individuals of all genders, backgrounds, and abilities to connect with us.

How to become part of the Incubator Program

In a transparent selection process, candidates submit a one-page project idea and a CV with a list of publications to one of our MPI-M group leaders in the role of a potential host for the incubator program and potential future project partner. In the project idea, applicants must specify their most important publication and explain why they would like to work with a particular host. The group leader will evaluate the application based on innovation, relevance and fit for the working group, and nominate possible project ideas with the corresponding director to decide on acceptance. We aim to make a decision at short notice and provide feedback within two weeks.

Funding programs you might consider are listed in the tabs below.
Important note: You may also come up with project ideas for other funding programs.

Funding source: Max Planck Society

Funding: Comprehensive support including funding for personnel and materials, access to cutting-edge infrastructure at the hosting Max Planck Institute, and guaranteed participation in a W2 tenure track procedure after 4–5 years

Duration: Initial appointment for up to 5 years as leader of a Lise Meitner Research Group, with the possibility of a permanent W2 position following successful evaluation

Eligibility: Outstanding early-career scientists of all genders; program prioritizes applications from women. Candidates should have received their PhD within the last 9 years (extensions possible for family-related breaks) and show evidence of early scientific independence and leadership potential

Application Requirements: Complete application including cover letter, CV, publication list, scientific achievements summary, research statement, three key publications, two recommendation letters, and a host letter (required for CPTS applicants)

Deadline: Will be announced on the program’s webpage

 More about the program and the application process

The Lise Meitner Excellence Program is an initiative of the Max Planck Society to promote exceptional early-career researchers with the potential to lead their own independent research group within one of the Society’s institutes. The program aims to increase diversity and excellence at the group leader level by offering a clear path toward a long-term academic career, including a guaranteed tenure-track evaluation. While open to all, the program gives preference to women applicants in fields where they are underrepresented, within the bounds of legal regulations. The program is internationally competitive and welcomes applications from around the world.

Funding source: Max Planck Society

Funding: The program enables the establishment of an independent research group at a Max Planck Institute. The funding includes funds for personnel, material expenses and the research group leader's own position - usually between 1 and 1.5 million euros, depending on the research area and topic.

Duration: 5 years (with possibility of an extension by two years twice in case of a positive evaluation)

Eligibility: Outstanding young researchers holding a PhD and with a maximum of 7 years of experience since completion of PhD (exceptions are possible)

Deadlines: Varies depending on the application call, which is usually issued once a year

Webpage of the program

The Max Planck Society calls regularly for applications for open-topic Max Planck Research Groups (MPRGs). The call generally takes place once a year in the autumn. It is published on the careers section of the Max Planck Society website, as well as in international specialist publications and on employment websites specialized in scientific job opportunities. Detailed information for applicants will be available on the MPRG website of the Max Planck Society in due course.

This program is particularly suitable for excellent young applicants who have already held one or two post-doc positions and who would now like to head a group and work on own research ideas independently. Please note that Max Plank Research Group Leader (MPRG-L) positions are only open to applicants who hold a doctorate. The appointment of MPRG-Ls is subject to a rigorous selection procedure.

The open-topic MPRGs are not subject to any thematic restrictions. Applicants can indicate up to three Max Planck Institutes at which they would like to work.

MPRG-Ls receive a five-year W2 contract (salary is similar to that of junior and assistant professorships or associate professorships in the U.S.) which can be extended by two years twice in the event of positive evaluation. They are offered internationally competitive packages for personnel, start-up money, and yearly operating costs. Together with their Research Group, they use the infrastructure of the respective Institute and have their own budget for personnel and resources. The Group Leaders can use the approved budget at their own discretion. Even though they are granted scientific autonomy, they are expected to actively participate in Institute's life.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the preferred Max Planck Institute(s) before submitting the application. Both sides can hereby identify areas of mutual interest. Also, it can be determined whether an institute is generally interested in the planned research work and whether it can provide space and administrative resources.

Funding source: European Research Council (ERC), European Union

Funding: ERC Starting Grants support excellent researchers at an early career stage on their path to scientific independence. A key step is often establishing their first own research group. The grant can provide up to €1.5 million in funding, covering salaries (own position, PhDs, and postdocs), as well as investment and material expenses.

Duration: up to 5 years

Eligibility: Starting Grants are aimed at researchers whose PhD was awarded between two and seven years before January 1 of the call year (as stated in the ERC work programme). The programme is open to researchers of all nationalities, but the host institution must be located in an EU member state or an associated country.

Deadlines: Varies depending on the application call, which is usually issued once a year.

ERC Webpage

The ERC supports projects, which are carried out by individual research teams headed by a single Principal Investigator (PI) of any nationality.

Grants are awarded to the host institution that engages and hosts the PI. The PI will be employed by the host institution. The PI does not need to be employed by the host institution at the time when the proposal is submitted. Host institutions must be established in an EU Member State or Associated Country.

The Starting Grant PI must have already shown the potential for research independence and evidence of maturity. The PI should be able to demonstrate a promising track record of early achievements appropriate to their research field and career stage, including significant publications (as main author) in the leading international peer-reviewed journals of their respective field.

Funding source: The Max Planck Society and the Weizmann Institute of Science

Funding: Full benefits package (relocation expenses, health, nursing, pension and unemployment insurance, as well as access to institutional resources and state-of-the-art research facilities), travel and conference funds, housing allowance

Duration: 4 years, half of the time spent at the Max Planck Society and half at the Weizmann Institute of Science

Eligibility: Outstanding postdoctoral researchers in the fields of physics, chemistry, mathematics, computer science and earth sciences

Deadline: will be announced soon

 More about the programme and the application process

The Max Planck Society (MPG) and the Weizmann Institute of Science (WIS) jointly offer outstanding postdoctoral researchers in the fields of physics, chemistry, mathematics, computer science and earth sciences a prestigious four-year appointment in a unique research environment. The cooperation between the MPG and the WIS offers talented researchers the opportunity to participate in innovative projects, benefit from the expertise of two renowned institutions and contribute to the advancement of knowledge in their respective subjects. The new German-Israeli Max Planck Weizmann Postdoctoral Programme thus supports scientific cooperation and interdisciplinary research in both countries.

Funding source: German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, DFG)

Funding: Outstanding early-career researchers have the opportunity to establish and lead their own research group at a German research institution. The funding covers salaries (own position, PhDs, and postdocs) as well as investment and material expenses.

Duration: Up to 6 years (3 + 3-year extension option)

Eligibility: Early career researchers with an excellent doctorate and a strong scientific track record; proposal submission normally up to 4 years after completion of the doctorate (extended by two years per child under the age of 12); at least two years of postdoctoral experience (prior to the start of the grant); substantial international research experience; foreign applicants are expected to continue their research career in Germany after the grant (written letter of intent required).

Deadlines: No fixed deadlines, applications can be submitted at any time.

DFG Webpage

The Emmy Noether Programme enables highly qualified early career researchers to become eligible for a university teaching career within a continuous period of six years. Proposals may be submitted to the DFG at any time. Funding is initially awarded for a three-year period, with the possibility of an additional three years. An evaluation is carried out at the end of the third year on the basis of an interim report. If the evaluation is successful, approval is given for another three years.

Regarding the funding, there are different modules that can be applied for. The main ones which are typically required are the module “Emmy Noether Junior Research Group Leader”, requesting funding for your position as project leader under the Emmy Noether Programme, and the “Basic Module” intended to request funding for direct project costs, project-specific staff (excluding the own position), and instrumentation necessary to carry out the project.

The Emmy Noether programme is primarily targeting for universities as host institution. However, also a Max Planck Institute can be the host. The possibilities for supervising doctoral students and for teaching need to be demonstrated.

Funding source: European Commission (EC)

Funding: own position, research and travel costs

Duration: 12 until 24 months (plus special extensions)

Eligibility: foreign postdocs with a maximum of 8 years of full-time research experience

Deadlines: mostly in September

Webpage

The aim of the Postdoctoral Fellowships is to equip postdocs with complementary professional skills for their future careers by conducting a personalized research project. International, interdisciplinary and intersectoral mobility is the central element.

Funding source: Alexander von Humboldt Foundation

Funding: Monthly (tax free) stipend (2650 € in 2018), travel costs

Duration: 6-24 months

Eligibility: Doctorate or comparable academic degree (Ph.D., C.Sc. or equivalent), completed less than four years prior to the date of application; foreign applicants must have lived outside Germany for a minimum of 12 months in total in the 18-month period prior to submission of the application; German applicants must have had their habitual place of work and residence located abroad on the assumption of permanence for at least five years.

Deadlines: No application deadlines

Webpage

Humboldt Research Fellowships allow postdoctoral researchers from abroad to spend extended periods of research (6 - 24 months) in Germany. Applicants choose their own topic of research and their host in Germany. Details of the research outline and intended duration of the fellowship must be agreed with the prospective host before applying. The application has to be submitted by the applying postdoc. The host institution has to upload a host’s statement (comprising a confidential assessment of the applicant and the proposal) and a signed confirmation of research facilities. In addition, the doctoral supervisor and one other qualified reviewer to be selected by the applicant have to upload expert reviews. As soon as all required documents are uploaded, applicants will be notified about the proposed selection date. Typically, this will be in the range of 6 to 9 months. The fellowship has to be started between 2 and 12 months after approval.