"Democracy cannot be taken for granted"

"Science is a pillar of a resilient democracy"

At the Max Planck Society’s Annual Meeting, an expert panel engaged in a lively discussion on the historical and contemporary causes of the crises facing democracy, as well as potential strategies for overcoming them.

Honouring our brilliant doctoral students

The Max Planck Society has honoured up to 30 young scientists and researchers each year with the Otto Hahn Medal for outstanding scientific achievements since 1978.

An evening of insights

Ovo Labs GmbH was honoured with the Max Planck Start-Up Prize of the Stifterverband on June 16, 2026.

Max Planck Society Yearbook Highlights  

Our Yearbook Highlights offer a focused look at research across the Max Planck Society. Across 15 articles, we explore advances ranging from molecular medicine to fundamental questions about the universe.

News

Aridity and drought in Germany

July 06, 2026
Klima
Questions and answers on the water cycle, evaporation, and precipitation

New genomic study uncovers family ties linking Scythian elite burials across the Eurasian steppe

July 03, 2026
Human History
Ancient DNA reveals how political power and elite status may have been maintained among Iron Age nomadic societies

Striking global similarities in interactions between dogs and humans

June 23, 2026
Cultural Studies
New cross-cultural study reveals that the bond between humans and dogs remains remarkably consistent across societies
Further News

International

Rice University and the Max Planck Society establish a partnership on quantum materials

July 07, 2026
Quantum Physics
Through the “Quantum Materials – Rice and Max Planck Partnership” they advance global leadership in quantum materials and technology

Rescue mission for Ukrainian science

June 30, 2026
Europe Ukraine
Ukrainian female scientists are building bridges to Germany and Europe, thereby fostering academic freedom in Ukraine

Max Planck establishes first European Research Centre for Indian legal history

June 30, 2026
International Jurisprudence
The MPI for Legal History and Legal Theory is expanding its collaboration with India through the launch of the Centre for Legal History of India (CLHI)
Country portals

Career

Innovative training programmes for Phd students

Talented German and foreign junior scientists are offered the opportunity to earn a doctorate under excellent research conditions

Eight ERC Advanced Grants for Max Planck researchers 

June 23, 2026
ERC-Grants Europe
Eight Max Planck Society scientists have been awarded Advanced Grants from the European Research Council (ERC) in its latest funding cycle, each receiving up to €2.5 million for a period of five years to conduct their research projects.

Job Offers

1 Predoctoral Scholar Position (m/f/d)

Max Planck Institute for the History of Science, Berlin
July 13, 2026

IT Specialist for Linux System Administration and HPC (m/f/d)

Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter, Hamburg
July 13, 2026

Postdoctoral Position in MRI Microscopy and Brain Metallomics (m/f/d)

Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig
July 10, 2026
to the JobBoard
Career

Topic Specials

Climate and Transformation

In addition to climate forecasts, the consequences of climate change are increasingly becoming the focus of research at Max Planck Institutes

The brain

The human brain is the most complex organ that nature has ever produced: 100 billion nerve cells and many times more contact points give it capabilities that no supercomputer can match

Migration

The causes and consequences of human mobility and its history are central topics for research at Max Planck Institutes
Further Topic Specials

Publications


Illustration of networks and two persons
Cover of the brochure Living and Working in Germany
Cover Max Planck Research Magazine 1/2026
Annual Report 2025 cover - Max Planck Society
Cover - Highlights 2025 from the Yearbook of the Max Planck Society
Image brochure - Max Planck Society
Evaluation cover

From the Institutes


MPI for Terrestrial Microbiology
Energy Boost for Synthetic Cells more
MPI for Astronomy
Young giant gas planet beta pic b refuses to reveal its origin more
MPI for Astronomy
Probing the host galaxy of one of the most distant quasars more
MPI for Heart and Lung Research
Neurotensin prevents harmful cardiac remodelling more
MPI for Evolutionary Anthropology
Ancient teeth suggest Homo naledi fossils in a cave may all be female more
MPI for Marine Microbiology
Symbiosis in Swiss lakes more
MPI for Chemistry
El Niño: Amazon rainforest emits stress-defense molecules more
MPI of Geoanthropology
Combing the General and the Specific for Urban Science and Policy more
MPI of Biophysics
Searching for the Right Place to Divide Mitochondria more
MPI for Evolutionary Anthropology
Molecular change helps balance nutrition and detoxification in modern humans more
MPI for Evolutionary Biology
When does a tool become part of an individual? more
MPI for Chemistry
Europe benefits from a faster renewable energy transition more
MPI for Biology, Tübingen
How brown algae choose their mates more
MPI for Gravitational Physics, et al.
The new LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA catalog sets records in precision gravitational-wave astronomy more
MPI for the Study of Crime, Security and Law
A Tool for Democratic Transparency more
MPI for Solar System Research
Different Meteorites, Same Birthplace more
MPI for Evolutionary Biology
When noisy decision-making becomes a strategic advantage more
MPI of Animal Behavior
Overlooked breadth of chimpanzee culture more

Events

July 2026
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
4
Open Day at GEO600

Jul 4, 2026 from 12:00 PM to 04:00 PM (Local Time Germany)

Upcoming Events

No events
All Events

Multimedia


Screenshot of the picture gallery "My Science and Me"

My Science and Me

What fascinates scientists about their research? What drives them? Science thrives on the people who shape it. Our picture gallery depicts aspects of research from the perspective of those who carry it out
Two smiling women standing looking in the direction of the camera with a dark background.

Unraveling Behavior

Podcast
A science podcast about the patterns driving human judgment and decision making. In each episode,  Ana Sofia Morais sits down with a researcher to explore how people make decisions, how they handle risk, and how our surroundings and the online world shape our behavior.
A microsopic view of a fluorescent green worm on a black background.

Cell droplet research

Video
A new hope for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. A film about the research of Anthony Hyman, who was awared the Koerber Prize 2022 and the Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences 2023.
A sombre grey cartoon image of four people sitting on a bench.

Flight and Trauma

Video
Traumatic experiences from fleeing war zones can lead to distressing symptoms, which impair everyday life. Now with Ukranian sub-titles.
Optogenetics | briefly explained

Optogenetics | briefly explained

Video
Turning nerve cells on and off using pulses of light. Optogenetics is a relatively new field that uses light to control genetically modified cells. It is based on light-activated membrane proteins, such as bacteriorhodopsin or channelrhodopsin, that are built into nerve cells.

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