Undergraduate Research Opportunities
The Matter to Life Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (MtL-URO) offers an excellent opportunity for students in their Bachelors to perform a funded 10-week research internship under the supervision of one of our faculty Fellows.
The URO application portal for a study start in 2025 is closed.
The next application period begins on August 1st of 2025 for admission in 2026.
The internship will take place in the group of one of our faculty Fellows. You can choose the lab you would like to join for your internship. During this time, you will be working on a specific research question related to the focus of the respective lab in close collaboration with and under the supervision of the local researchers. Gain practical experience into cutting-edge scientific methods, learn from esteemed and exceptional researchers, and enhance your knowledge and network in this interdisciplinary field. The internship will also serve as a gateway to gain insights and perspectives to the Matter to Life field and the community of researchers and students. The program is designed to establish a strong foundation, providing a solid platform to launch your academic career. In order to facilitate your research and to enhance your experience, the URO program offers financial support for your travel, accommodation and living.
Who can apply?
All motivated undergraduate students during their Bachelor studies in an MtL related field with a GPA of at least 1.7 are eligible to apply. Please note that applicants should be enrolled in their undergraduate studies both prior to and throughout the whole duration of the URO program.
There is one application round each year which starts in August and ends on October 1st. The internship then takes place in the following year anytime between the months of June to November.
Learn more about the experience of former URO participants
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
General
Starting in October 2025, our faculty will be expanded to include the cities of Düsseldorf, Heilbronn, and Münster.
Please visit the faculty member’s own website to find out where their group is located.
Eligibility
- You must be enrolled in your undergraduate studies for the entire duration of the internship. This means that you may only complete your bachelor's degree after completing your internship.
- You must have already completed the first semester of your studies so that you can submit university grades with your application.
- Proof of above-average academic performance, demonstrated by a minimum GPA of 1.7.
Application process
Applying to the Max Planck School Matter to Life URO program is done through an online application portal which you find on our application page, which will be accessible from August 1st.
If you are accessing the portal for the first time, you need to first create an account. After this, you will be taken to the general Max Planck Schools portal, where you will need to choose the Matter to Life URO program.
We welcome applications from exceptional undergraduate students with a keen interest in conducting research in the field of Matter to Life. Your academic focus should fall within disciplines such as physics, chemistry, biology, informatics, materials science, engineering, or related sub-fields like bioengineering. In your personal statement, do emphasize any prior research experience you may have had.
Please note: Applicants should be enrolled in their undergraduate studies both prior to and throughout the whole duration of the URO program.
- CV (maximum two pages)
- Current transcript of records from your university. Your high school diploma is not sufficient.
- Personal statement (maximum two pages; Times New Roman, font size 12, line spacing 1.5) which should briefly introduce yourself and show your motivation for the internship
- Your top three Matter to Life laboratories to perform the internship, ranked in order (to be entered in the application portal)
- The time frame in which you could perform the internship (to be entered in the application portal)
The deadline is October 1st.
No, all internships will be conducted in English.
No, an official proof is not required.
No, prior research experience is not required. We provide training in the methods necessary for your project.
No.
We choose the best 10 candidates applying for the URO program each year.
You should receive your results via email in February of the subsequent year.