"Democracy cannot be taken for granted"

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The highlights of the 2026 Annual Meeting so far have been the presentation of the Max Planck Startup Award and Otto Hahn Medals, and an expert panel discussion on the future of democracy Patrick Cramer, President of the Max Planck Society, is standing at the podium wearing his chain of office, against a green background featuring the white Minerva logo.

"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. more

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. more

An evening of insights

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

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. more

News

MRI of brain structure of blind people

The brains of blind people reorganize themselves

July 13, 2026
Brain
High-Resolution MRI Technology reveals brain structure in blind individuals
Advanced scientific apparatus composed of cylindrical and conical metal components positioned in a modern industrial lab environment.

Proxima Fusion raises 411 million euros

July 08, 2026
Kernfusion
The record funding marks an important milestone for Alpha, a demonstration facility intended to be built in Germany as a precursor to a fusion power plant.
Dry grass covers an open field; in the background, several trees can be seen, illuminated by the low sun against a clear sky.

FAQs: Aridity and drought in Germany

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

International

Two businesspeople are sitting at a white table against a red background, sealing a deal with a handshake; on the table are a folder, a pen, and a pair of glasses.

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
A destroyed lecture hall with a damaged wall and a drawing of an atomic model on a green background.

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
A close-up of a globe showing the political borders and capital cities of countries in South Asia and the Middle East, including India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia.

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

Full indoor shot of a large, dark-red robotic arm and a dark-red, dome-shaped object suspended from it, along with two people standing in the foreground. The arm is large and complex, with many dark-colored, flexible components and a dark-grey base. Steps and caution tape are visible on the floor around the base of the robotic arm. A dark-red, rounded object resembles a large head or helmet, suspended from the robotic arm, hanging over the scene. The material is smooth and appears to be some kind of composite. Two individuals are centrally positioned in front of the robotic apparatus. A man and a woman stand side-by-side, smiling, looking at the camera. Both wear casual clothing: the man wears a maroon-colored t-shirt and dark-colored pants, while the woman is wearing a teal-green sweater and dark-wash jeans. The background is mostly dark grey walls and a dark-grey floor surface. The walls appear to be made of brick-like or panelled material. The overall impression is of a technological or manufacturing environment, potentially a research lab or design studio. The image highlights a sophisticated piece of industrial machinery alongside human operators.

Innovative training programmes for Phd students

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

Graduate Assistant (m/f/d)

Max Planck Institute for the History of Science, Berlin
July 20, 2026

Student Assistant (m/f/d) | Machine Learning or Data Science

Max Planck Institute for the History of Science, Berlin
July 16, 2026

PhD Student (f/m/d) | Designing biomolecular crystallization and precipitation processes

Max Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems, Magdeburg
July 16, 2026
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Career

Topic Specials

The muddy hands of a person cupped together under a water tap in a muddy background.

Climate and Transformation

In addition to climate forecasts, the consequences of climate change are increasingly becoming the focus of research at Max Planck Institutes
A schematic view from above of a human brain with many coloured fibres connecting the two halves and extending out in various directions.

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
Full shot of a world map, likely a graphic design or print, overlaid with numerous passport stamps of varying colors and sizes.

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 of Geoanthropology
Mixed cropping instead of monoculture more
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

Events

July 2026
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Open Day at GEO600

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

Upcoming Events

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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.
more
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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