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

• Almost 40 per cent of the more than 21,000 employees with employment contracts are foreign nationals,
• the group of scientists is even more international, with almost 60 per cent foreign nationals,
• over 40 per cent of Max Planck Directors have a foreign nationality,
• almost two thirds of doctoral students (PhD students) have a foreign nationality.

Early career researchers and visiting scientists

In the 2024 reporting year, more than 18,000 junior and visiting scientists were working at the Max Planck Society. The two largest groups of young researchers are PhD students and postdocs, while student and research assistants as well as research fellows also conducted research at the institutes. Almost two thirds are foreign nationals. They are not only an enrichment for scientific work, but also enable the establishment of an international network. For them, the stay at a Max Planck Institute is usually a further step in their individual qualification and career development - a win-win situation for both sides.