MAXMINDS 2.0 is a Max Planck Society mentoring program supporting displaced scholars and researchers affected by war or natural disasters.
Applications for the 2026/27 program cycle are open until 18 October 2026. The mentoring period will run from November 2026 to March 2027.
What Is MAXMINDS 2.0?
MAXMINDS 2.0 is the Max Planck Society’s Mentoring Initiative for Inclusion and Diversity in Science. The program provides academic and professional support to scholars and researchers whose education or research careers have been disrupted by war or natural disasters.
The initiative is particularly intended for displaced scholars and researchers who are at immediate risk of displacement or have recently been forced to leave their academic environment because of conflict or natural disasters.
MAXMINDS 2.0 is open to applicants regardless of nationality. The program focuses especially on researchers and students who have limited access to academic resources, professional networks, institutional support, and opportunities to continue their scientific careers.
Support Available Through MAXMINDS 2.0
The mentoring program can provide a range of academic and professional assistance, including:
- Individual mentoring and career guidance
- Advice on internship, scholarship, and fellowship applications
- Support with CV preparation and academic applications
- Information about research positions and academic opportunities
- Opportunities to develop professional networks and connections
- Regular communication and progress check-ins
Through these forms of support, researchers affected by war or natural disasters can receive practical guidance while working to continue their academic careers and research activities.
MAXMINDS 2.0 and the History of the Program
MAXMINDS 2.0 builds on the experience of the original MAXMINDS 1.0 initiative.
MAXMINDS 1.0 was funded by the MPG Diversity Excellence Fund from August 2023 to August 2025. Its initial focus was on supporting students whose academic lives had been affected by the devastating earthquakes that struck Turkey and Syria on February 6, 2023.
The first program provided mentoring and internship opportunities for students affected by the disaster. MAXMINDS 2.0 expands this approach to support a wider community of scholars and researchers affected by war and natural disasters.
The Max Planck Society and International Research
The Max Planck Society (MPG) is committed to maintaining academic research and international scientific collaboration across borders, conflicts, and natural disasters.
Through its internationalization strategy, the Max Planck Society works to strengthen connections between researchers and academic communities from different countries and backgrounds.
This approach recognizes that scientific research should be able to continue even when researchers face conflict, displacement, or major disruptions to their academic environment.
The MAXMINDS 2.0 mentoring program reflects this mission by helping displaced scholars and researchers affected by war access academic guidance, professional networks, and opportunities that can support their future careers.
The program also reflects the principles of the Max Planck Society’s Code of Conduct, including diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity.
Who Can Benefit From the MAXMINDS 2.0 Mentoring Program?
MA Students, Doctoral Students, and Postdoctoral Researchers
MAXMINDS 2.0 offers mentoring opportunities for master’s students, doctoral candidates, and postdoctoral researchers whose academic development has been affected by displacement, war, or natural disasters.
Mentoring can be adapted to the academic background and professional goals of each participant. Depending on the mentor’s expertise and the mentee’s interests, discussions may focus on:
- Research and academic career opportunities
- Applications for positions and fellowships
- Internship opportunities
- Guest programs within the Max Planck Society
- Preparing academic CVs and applications
- Building professional research networks
The standard mentoring period lasts four months. By mutual agreement between the mentor and mentee, it may be extended to six months.
Support for Mid-Career and Senior Researchers
MAXMINDS 2.0 also provides support for scholars and researchers above the postdoctoral level.
For mid-career and senior researchers, the program can serve as a source of information about fellowship opportunities and potential pathways for continuing their research careers.
MAXMINDS 2.0 does not impose one specific funding mechanism for this group. Instead, funding and other forms of support may be determined by individual Max Planck Institutes (MPI), research groups, departments, or institutes, depending on their available opportunities and requirements.
Why MAXMINDS 2.0 Matters for Displaced Researchers
War and natural disasters can interrupt research projects, separate scholars from their institutions, and make access to academic networks and funding significantly more difficult.
The MAXMINDS 2.0 mentoring program aims to help address these challenges by connecting displaced scholars with experienced researchers and academic communities.
By offering mentoring, application guidance, professional connections, and information about research and fellowship opportunities, the initiative helps researchers affected by war and natural disasters pursue their academic goals despite difficult circumstances.
2026/27 MAXMINDS 2.0 Application Period
Applications for the 2026/27 MAXMINDS 2.0 program are open until 18 October 2026.
The mentoring phase is scheduled to take place from November 2026 through March 2027.
Researchers and scholars interested in receiving support through the Max Planck Society mentoring program should review the application requirements and submit their application before the deadline.