Doucet Scholarship 2027 at Max Planck Institute

The Doucet Scholarship funds a three-month in-person research stay at the Max Planck Institute for Legal History and Legal Theory in Frankfurt am Main, hosted by the Department of Historical Regimes of Normativity. Running annually from January to March, the fellowship supports master's students, PhD candidates, and early postdocs conducting research on the history of colonial law through direct engagement with the Doucet Collection. Unlike general research grants, this scholarship requires applicants to demonstrate a concrete plan for using specific titles and source editions from the collection, ensuring the award directly advances the study of derecho indiano. Open to candidates worldwide with strong preference for Latin American scholars, applications are accepted in English or Spanish with no application fee.

Related: Learn more about the Max Planck Society and studying in Germany.

Successful Doucet Scholarship recipients receive comprehensive financial support for their three-month stay:

• Daily stipend — €44 per day for a maximum of 90 days (total approx. €3,960)

• Airfare reimbursement — Up to €1,500 for transatlantic flights; up to €750 for flights within Europe

• Institute housing option — Possibility of renting a room in the Institute's residences at approximately €650–€680 per month (available for full months)

• Research environment — Access to the Institute's specialist library of over 470,000 printed media units

• Academic integration — Participation in the Institute's seminars, workshops, and research community

• Publication opportunities — Potential to contribute to the Institute's journal

Note: The scholarship is a lump-sum research grant. Additional income from existing employment must be declared and may be offset against the award amount.

All applicants must submit the following documents:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV) — Academic and professional background

• Project description — Detailed research proposal directly related to the Doucet Collection

• Motivation letter — Explaining your interest in the collection and how you plan to use it during your stay

Important: Applications are to be submitted via the Institute's online application portal or by email to sekduve@lhlt.mpg.de. Ensure all documents are in English or Spanish.

Applicants must meet the following requirements to be eligible for the Doucet Scholarship:

• Must be a master's student currently enrolled in a master's programme, a PhD candidate at any stage of doctoral research, or an early postdoctoral researcher within a few years of completing their doctorate

• Must be residing outside of Frankfurt am Main at the time of application; strong preference is given to candidates from Latin America

• Proposed research must focus on the history of colonial law and must explicitly engage with the Doucet Collection, demonstrating a clear plan for using specific monographs and source editions from the collection during the stay

• Open to candidates from all countries worldwide; the scholarship is specifically directed at scholars who do not reside in Frankfurt

• Applications must be submitted in English or Spanish

Follow these steps to complete your application for the Doucet Scholarship:

1. Review eligibility criteria — Ensure you meet the residency, academic status, and research focus requirements.

2. Explore the Doucet Collection — Search the Institute's OPAC using "Provenienz Doucet" to identify relevant materials for your project.

3. Develop your research proposal — Craft a project description that explicitly links your research to specific titles in the Doucet Collection.

4. Prepare your documents — Gather your CV, project description, and motivation letter (in English or Spanish).

5. Submit your application — Apply via the online application portal or email your documents to sekduve@lhlt.mpg.de.

6. Await results — The selection committee reviews applications and notifies successful candidates.

Important: Submit your application well before the deadline. Incomplete or late applications cannot be considered.