Max Planck Society to establish 25 new Independent Junior Research Groups

October 19, 2004

The Max Planck Society is establishing 25 new junior research groups for outstanding young scientists. Exceptional researchers from all nations who are under 35 years of age may apply by December 1, 2004 to head these independent junior research groups. For a period of five years the Max Planck Society will assume all necessary costs for personnel, materials and investment costs so that the heads of the junior research groups are able to implement their self-determined research project at the Max Planck Institute of their own choice. The total volume of this initiative to provide additional support for young research scientists amounts to 50 million euros.

Since 1969 the Max Planck Society has been providing outstanding young research scientists with the opportunity of working autonomously in independent junior research groups at Max Planck Institutes. In the meantime, over 100 top researchers have begun their careers as internationally successful scientists in such facilities. The Max Planck Society is currently supporting a total of 34 independent junior research groups.

Support for young scientists is also an important objective of the "Research and Innovation Pact." For this and other measures to foster young scientists and promote excellent basic research, the federal and state governments have promised the Max Planck Society a minimum of three percent annual growth to its budget until the year 2010.

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