Facts & Figures
The Max Planck Society is committed to internationality. Its scientists conduct research at the frontiers of knowledge, leaving national borders behind. This is demonstrated by the high proportion of foreign employees, international project collaborations and worldwide networks. The goal of this internationalization, both internally and externally, is to achieve excellent research results - together with the best minds worldwide.
International cooperation
Max Planck institutes operate as a worldwide network based on international cooperations and projects. They are involved in more than 3,000 projects with over 6,000 international partners in over 120 countries. International collaborations increase scientific performance and productivity. They create scientific added value and, in many research fields make it possible to actually achieve a critical mass.
International workforce
- 36.2 percent of the 20,942 employees with employment contract come from abroad
- The group of scientists is even more international, with 57.2 percent coming from abroad
- 40 percent of Max Planck directors are non-German citizens
- More than half of the doctoral students with funding contract (63.2 percent) come from abroad
Early career researchers and visiting scientists
In 2023, there were 16,644 early career researchrs and visiting scientists working at the Max Planck Society. This group includes in detail: student and research assistants, holders of scholarships for bachelor degrees, PhD students, junior scientists in wrap up, postdocs, research fellows, and visiting scientists. Well over half of them (62.1 percent) came from abroad. They are not only an enrichment for the scientific work at the institutes, but also enable the establishment of an international network. For them, a period spent at a Max Planck institute is invariably a valuable step in individual qualification and career development – a win-win situation for both sides.