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• Location: Frankfurt, Germany
• Institution: Max Planck Institute for Legal History and Legal Theory
• Duration: 3 Months (5 January – 31 March 2026)
• Funding: Fully Funded
• Eligible Applicants: Early-career researchers from all countries (preference for Latin America)
• Application Deadline: 15 September 2025

About the Program

The Max Planck Doucet Scholarship is a prestigious, fully funded research opportunity for young scholars interested in colonial legal history. Hosted by the Max Planck Institute for Legal History and Legal Theory in Frankfurt, the program offers access to the Doucet Collection—one of the world’s most important archives on colonial law.

This three-month residency is designed to support early-career researchers, especially those from Latin America, who wish to engage in archival research and contribute to global legal scholarship.

Financial Coverage

• Monthly stipend: €1,365
• Travel reimbursement:
  • Up to €1,500 for transatlantic flights
  • Up to €750 for intra-European flights
• Accommodation: Optional housing at the Institute’s residence (~€680/month)
• Research access: Full access to the Doucet Collection and Institute library
• Academic environment: Mentorship and collaboration with leading legal historians

Research Focus

Applicants must propose a project that:

• Focuses on colonial legal history
• Clearly outlines how the Doucet Collection will be used
• Demonstrates academic relevance and originality

Fields of interest may include:

• Legal history
• Postcolonial studies
• Latin American legal systems
• Comparative law
• Political and cultural history

Eligibility Criteria

• Open to all nationalities (strong preference for Latin American applicants)
• Must be a young researcher (Master’s graduate, PhD candidate, or early postdoc)
• Must reside outside Frankfurt
• Proposal must be submitted in English or Spanish
• Must commit to the full 3-month stay in Frankfurt

Required Documents

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Project description (aligned with the Doucet Collection)
• Motivation letter (explaining your research goals and interest in the collection)

How to Apply

1. Visit the official application portal-click here
2. Complete the online form and upload all required documents
3. Submit your application by 15 September 2025
4. For questions, contact: sekduve@lhlt.mpg.de

This is a rare opportunity to conduct research in one of Europe’s most respected legal institutes while engaging with a globally significant archive.