MAXMINDS 2.0: Supporting underserved displaced scholars around the world
Scope
MAXMINDS (Max Planck Society's Mentoring Initiative for Inclusion and Diversity in Science) 2.0 is a program dedicated to supporting scholars who are in acute danger of displacement by war or were recently displaced by war or natural disasters, regardless of nationality, who have limited access to resources and institutional support.
The program offers a comprehensive range of assistance, including mentorship, guidance on internship, scholarship and fellowship applications and CVs, network and connections, regular check-ins.
MAXMINDS 2.0 builds on and expands the successful MAXMINDS 1.0 program, which was funded by the MPG Diversity Excellence Fund for the period of August 2023 to August 2025. The primary goal of MAXMINDS 1.0 was to provide mentorship and internships to students affected by the devastating earthquakes that struck Turkey and Syria on February 6, 2023.
Max Planck Society
The Max Planck Society (MPG) is dedicated to fostering the continuity of academic research across borders, conflicts, and natural disasters. By enhancing its internationalization strategy, MPG aims to build bridges between diverse societies through collaborative research efforts, ensuring that scientific inquiry can thrive even in the most challenging environments.
The MAXMINDS 2.0 mentoring and fellowship program exemplifies this mission by supporting both emerging and established researchers affected by war or natural disasters, helping them realize their full potential and succeed in their scientific endeavors despite the obstacles they face.
This program also aligns with the MPG’s Code of Conduct, which emphasizes diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity as core values.
What Does the Program Offer?
MA and Doctoral Students and Postdoc Researchers:
MAXMINDS 2.0 offers a fast-track mentoring program to support MA and doctoral students, as well as postdoctoral researchers. The mentoring could focus on applying for positions, fellowships, or guest programs in MPG and is tailored to the expertise and interests of both the mentor and the mentee. The duration of the mentoring is at least three months and could be extended to six months by mutual agreement. The guidelines for the mentoring program can be found here.
Scholars and Researchers Above Postdoc Level:
MAXMINDS 2.0 also serves as a platform for providing information on fellowships for mid-career and senior researchers. The program does not prescribe a specific funding mechanism, leaving the details to individual MPI groups, departments, or institutes.