Mattertolife Opportunities

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. For details, please check the FAQ below. 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. Our application portal is currently open - apply here!

Apply now via our application portal!Applications close on October 1st.

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 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.

Application process

You can apply to the Max Planck School Matter to Life URO program through our online application portal, available on this page 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. • CV (maximum two pages) • Current transcript of records from your university. Your high school diploma is not sufficient. • Your preferred Matter to Life laboratory to perform the internship. • Personal statement (1 page; Times New Roman, font size 12, line spacing 1.5) which should briefly introduce yourself and show your motivation for the internship within your lab of choice • The time frame in which you could perform the internship No, you do not need to calculate your GPA before submitting your application. We review and calculate your GPA as part of our application review process after the application deadline. 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.

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.

Laura Márquez Cianci

“The support from the URO-Matter to Life team was exceptional and always made me feel more comfortable and secure in a foreign country. I would definitely recommend this program to adventurous and curious students who want to explore new research pathways and living in Germany.“

Ananya K Ajay

“All of us (including the Professor) had lunch together every day, and this experience of having lunch together with the entire lab helped me feel like a part of something bigger than myself, and I cherish the sense of belonging that this brought.“

Riddhiman Biswas

”I am quite sure I would look back at my time spent in Munich as one of the important moments in my life, enriching me scientifically and culturally.“

Won Joon Kim

“The experience I had in the MtL URO program was almost surreal, and I urge any undergraduate student who is passionate about research and eager to grow both scientifically and personally to not hesitate and apply.”

Li Jing Hu

„If you like to challenge yourself, conduct state-of-the-art research in the life sciences field and experience what it is like to live in Germany: Then definitely apply for the Matter to Life URO program!“

Lasya Damaraju

“My experience in the MtL URO program is one that I will always remember and cherish. This program offers students such a unique, amazing opportunity. I enjoyed every aspect of the internship, from the fascinating research to my amazing lab members to the lovely city I was staying in.“

Kueyoung Kim

“I am confident that, many years from now, I will look back at my time with the Matter to Life URO program as one of the most influential and defining periods of my life. Not only did I grow significantly as both a scientist and person, but I also built international connections and friendships that will extend throughout my scientific career.“

Khanh Tran

"My experience as a Matter to Life URO candidate was truly one of the most enriching, memorable, and overall fun experiences of my life. I'd never gotten the chance to travel to Europe before, and Heidelberg – the city that I happened to land in through this program – perfectly captured the European charm I'd heard so much about.“

Irene Pellini

“The international environment and the experience of living in a foreign country have deeply contributed to my personal development, forcing me to face my insecurities and to overcome cultural and linguistic differences.”

Llazar Shkurti

"I consider my research stay truly valuable, both in terms of my career and personal development. This internship not only provided me with first-hand experience in the research world but also enabled me to understand a bit more about my career trajectory.“

Adrián Gutiérrez Cruz

“My experience as a Matter to Life URO candidate was incredible in all senses. In the first place, as I had never been to Europe before, most of the things were new for me. However, adapting to that was not too difficult and was something that I enjoyed it a lot. Germany is a beautiful country with a lot of places to visit and kind people to meet.“ Read the full stories of former participants

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 completed at least 1.5 semesters of your degree program at the time of application in order to include your college grades with your application. • You must have completed at least two semesters of your degree program by the time the internship begins. • Proof of above-average academic performance, demonstrated by a minimum GPA of 1.7.*

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. For details, please check the FAQ below. 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. Our application portal is currently open - apply here!