PhD Application - FAQs

If I Am Accepted Into the Program, Would There Be Any Restrictions or Issues Related to Funding, Given That I Am Currently Completing Another PhD?

Currently being enrolled in another PhD program does not automatically disqualify you from applying. However, if you are accepted into the MCML program, you would typically be expected to formally end your existing PhD position before starting a new one — particularly if both positions are funded, to avoid conflicts related to double funding or contractual obligations.
Funding for MCML PhD positions comes in the form of employment contracts at one of the participating institutions (not scholarships), and each institution’s HR department will conduct a formal eligibility check before issuing a contract. This includes verifying that there are no overlaps or conflicts with ongoing positions.
We therefore recommend that, if selected, you inform your current institution of your decision and make sure that your previous contract is officially concluded before the new one begins.

My Transcript of Records Includes a Section That Certifies My Master’s Degree. Do I Still Need to Upload the MSc Certificate Separately, or Can I Upload the Same Document, I.e. Transcript of Records, in Both Sections?

Please upload the Master’s certificate separately. Having the certificate and transcript clearly separated ensures a faster and more accurate review of your materials.

Do Referees Need to Be Affiliated With a University, or Is It Acceptable to Provide Contacts From Industry Who Can Speak to My Research and Professional Experience?

University affiliation is not required. What matters most is that your referees can speak credibly and in detail about your qualifications and potential for PhD study — whether they come from academia or industry.

Are Applications That Do Not Meet the Grade Criterion (MSc Grade of 2.3 or Better) Strictly Excluded, or Is There Any Flexibility in This Requirement — For Example, in Cases of Peer-Reviewed Publications or Strong Research Experience?

Yes, the minimum admission requirement of a 2.3 MSc grade (or better) is a strict eligibility criterion. Unfortunately, this requirement cannot be waived, regardless of other qualifications, including publications in peer-reviewed journals. Applications that do not meet this criterion will be excluded from further review. We understand that this may be disappointing, particularly for applicants with strong research backgrounds. However, the grade threshold is a formal requirement established across all participating institutions to ensure consistency and fairness in the selection process.

I Hold an Engineering Diploma From a Five-Year Program Outside of Germany. Does This Fulfill the Requirement of Holding Both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s Degree?

Such degrees are generally considered to correspond to a Master’s-level qualification. However, please note that formal recognition and verification of degree equivalence is carried out by the HR department of the employing institution at the final stage of the recruitment process, just before the contract is issued. You are still encouraged to apply if your degree represents a full five-year program and you believe it qualifies as a Master’s-level qualification. In this case, please upload your degree documents in both the Bachelor’s and Master’s sections of the application form to reflect the integrated nature of your studies. The Education section also includes a free-text field where you can provide comments on specific aspects of your local grading system. Please use this space to indicate that you hold a diploma instead of a separate Master’s degree.

Please note that final eligibility can only be confirmed during the contract preparation phase.

The Maximum Grade at My University Is Technically Possible, but It’s Almost Never Awarded. Will This Be Taken Into Account During Grade Conversion?

We understand that at some universities the maximum grade is rarely awarded in practice. However, for grade conversion using the Bavarian formula, we must rely on the official grading scale as defined by the degree-awarding institution. Unfortunately, we cannot make exceptions based on grading culture.

Is It Necessary to Send Any Hard Copy Documents, Such as Certificates or Transcripts, From My University as Part of the Application Process?

The entire application process is conducted online, hence no hard copy documents are required.

Is the Start Date for the PhD Position Flexible?

Yes, up to a point. The position needs to be taken up by the end of the calendar year in which the position is advertised.

Do You Have to Have Completed Your Master’s by the Date of Application or by the Starting Date of the PhD Position?

Your Master’s degree must be completed 1 July 2026; it does not need to be finished by the date of application.

What Does ‘Completed’ Mean With Regards to the Master’s Degree? Do I Have to Have a Diploma by 1 July 2026?

A completed Master’s degree is one in which all coursework has been submitted and evaluated – i.e. your thesis is complete, if a defense was necessary, it too has been completed. We understand that some universities take several months to process the formal confirmation (i.e. diploma and transcripts), so you may apply if your coursework will be completely done by 1 July. Please note: In order to receive a contract from either LMU or TUM, you must submit a M.Sc. diploma.

Can This Position Be Combined With Funding for Other Positions (For Example DFG)?

The position includes funding for a 100% position for three years. During this time frame, it is not possible to combine the position with other funding. However, candidates are highly encouraged to find funding for the timeframe after the MCML position.

Otherwise, if you have your own funding (DFG, for example), but would like to be affiliated with MCML, this is also possible. You need to either be supervised by one of our PIs or strongly affiliated with one. In that case, you can then affiliate with MCML.

Is the PhD a Joint PhD Between LMU and TUM?

No, the candidate will receive a PhD degree from either LMU or TUM. It is possible that the second (or third) supervisor is based at the other university, but the degree can only be granted by one of the Munich universities.

Is It Possible to Submit the Certified Translation of the Degrees After the Deadline?

Unfortunately, we are only able to consider complete applications submitted by the deadline, including all required documents such as official certificates, transcripts of records, and certified translations. Due to the high volume of applications and in the interest of fairness to all applicants, we are not able to accept any missing documents after the deadline.

If My Transcripts Use a Grading System Other Than the German System, Do I Need to Convert Each Grade, or Just My Final Average?

You are expected to convert each grade of each course, as well as your final grade. A transcript calculator (example in Excel), where you can fill in your information and convert your grades as instructed, can be found below. As part of your application, you will have to upload the completed table in PDF format. For additional information, see also the Transcript Converter section of our website.

Since I Have Not Yet Finished My Master’s Degree, I Have Not Received an Official Transcript of Records Yet. However, My University Provides a Student Portal From Which a Transcript Can Be Downloaded at Any Time. Would This Version Be Valid for Submission?

If you have not yet completed your Master’s degree, you are required to upload an official Transcript of Records showing all completed coursework to date. If your university allows you to download your transcript at any time via an official student portal, this version is acceptable provided it is clearly issued by your university—e.g. it includes a university logo, official seal or stamp, digital signature, or a verification code. However, if the downloaded version does not include any form of official authentication, you should request an officially certified document (digitally signed or stamped/scanned) from your university's registrar or examinations office. Please do not upload screenshots or editable files (such as Word documents or spreadsheets). Only official PDF or scanned documents issued by your university will be accepted.

Should I Contact PIs That I Am Interested in Ahead of Applying? Should I Mention Specific PIs in My Application?

Please do not contact PIs before you submit your application. All PIs who are participating in the call will have access to your application, and will get in touch with you in December or January, if they are interested in working with you.

Within the application form, you will have a chance to mention any principal investigators (PIs) you would be especially interested in working with.

Are All MCML PIs Participating in the Call?

No, not necessarily. PIs decide each year whether they want to take new candidates or not; in some cases, their labs are full or they are not participating for other reasons. The PIs participating in this year’s call are listed here and are also labeled with a “Matchmaking 2026” icon on the corresponding research area pages.

I Have a Master’s Degree in a Subject That Is Not Listed in the Call. Can I Still Apply?

In this case, please contact us at application@mcml.ai. The answer is probably yes, but it’s good to double-check with the MCML coordinators, just in case.

Do I Need a Certain Grade to Apply for the PhD Program?

Yes, to be eligible for the PhD program, you must hold an above-average Master’s degree — that is, a German grade equivalent of 2.3 or better. For additional information, see also the Transcript Converter section of our website.

Do I Need to Provide Official Proof of My English Language Skills?

No, submitting an official English language certificate is not required. However, proficiency in English is essential for both day-to-day communication and the preparation of scientific publications. Candidates who proceed to the interview stage should be aware that the interview(s) will be conducted in English, allowing the PI(s) to assess their language proficiency. Any difficulties with English communication are likely to become apparent at this stage.

Do I Need to Provide Letters of Reference With My Application?

No, you do not need to upload reference letters as part of your application. However, you are required to provide the contact details of up to two referees. The referees may (or may not) be contacted directly by potential supervisors during the selection process to comment on your qualifications. Please ensure that each referee has agreed to be contacted for this purpose in advance.

Can I Inquire About the Status of My Ongoing Application?

We appreciate your interest and understand your curiosity; however, we do not provide updates on the status of applications until a final decision has been made. You will be informed as soon as we reach a conclusion. Thank you for your patience and understanding.