MAX-PLANCK-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN EV

Their core work

The Max Planck Society (MPG) is Germany's premier independent basic research organization, operating over 80 institutes across natural sciences, life sciences, and humanities. Their work spans from fundamental physics and chemistry to neuroscience, molecular biology, and materials science, consistently pushing the boundaries of scientific understanding. With EUR 632 million in H2020 funding across 665 projects, they are one of the largest non-university research performers in Europe, producing foundational knowledge that feeds into applied research and industrial innovation across virtually every scientific discipline.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In 2014–2018, MPG's H2020 portfolio centered on classical life sciences — zebrafish models, aging biology, cancer research, CRISPR, chromatin studies, and chemical biology — reflecting traditional Max Planck strengths in fundamental biological and chemical research. From 2019 onward, a pronounced shift toward computational and data-intensive science emerged: machine learning, deep learning, exascale computing, HPC, and neuromorphic computing became dominant keywords alongside imaging and simulation. Simultaneously, new interdisciplinary frontiers appeared — ancient DNA, microbiome research, and graphene-based materials — suggesting MPG is increasingly bridging computational methods with experimental sciences.

MPG is rapidly integrating machine learning, deep learning, and HPC into its traditionally experimental research portfolio, making them an ideal partner for projects requiring computational infrastructure alongside domain science.

How they like to work

MPG operates as both a major consortium leader (316 coordinator roles, 47% of projects) and an active participant (328 projects), showing unusual versatility for an organization of this scale. Their 2,267 unique consortium partners across 88 countries indicate they function as a massive collaboration hub rather than a closed network. The heavy ERC grant presence (169 Starting + Advanced grants) means many projects are PI-driven individual excellence grants, while their RIA portfolio (155 projects) demonstrates equal comfort in large multi-partner consortia.

MPG has partnered with 2,267 distinct organizations across 88 countries, making it one of the most broadly connected research organizations in all of H2020. Their network is truly global, though concentrated in Europe, with collaborations extending well beyond the EU into associated and third countries.

What sets them apart

MPG's distinguishing factor is its sheer breadth and depth: few organizations can offer world-class expertise simultaneously in quantum physics, molecular biology, computational science, materials research, and humanities — all under one umbrella. Their institute-based structure means each Max Planck Institute operates with focused autonomy, so a collaboration partner effectively accesses a specialized team rather than a bureaucratic monolith. For consortium builders, MPG brings unmatched scientific credibility, extensive infrastructure, and a track record of managing EUR 100M+ programs like EUROfusion.

Highlights from their portfolio

• EUROfusion
  By far MPG's largest project at EUR 145.6 million — a flagship coordinator role implementing Europe's fusion energy roadmap under H2020.
• WASCOSYS
  Representative ERC-funded project in quantum physics (strongly correlated systems), showcasing MPG's strength in PI-driven fundamental research with EUR 1.3M budget.
• ZENCODE-ITN
  Major training network in developmental genomics combining zebrafish biology with computational genomics — exemplifies MPG's role in bridging experimental and computational biology.