Are you a passionate young researcher interested in the history of colonial law? If you’ve always dreamt of studying in Germany while diving deep into one of the most prestigious legal history collections in Europe, here’s your golden opportunity! The Max Planck Institute for Legal History and Legal Theory has officially opened applications for the 2026 Doucet Scholarship — and it’s calling for scholars from outside Frankfurt, with a strong focus on Latin America.
What is the Doucet Scholarship?
The Doucet Scholarship is a prestigious, fully-funded research opportunity designed to support early-career international researchers — especially those from Latin America — who are interested in exploring the Doucet Collection, one of the Institute’s most valuable repositories focused on the history of colonial law.
This is the eighth edition of the Doucet Scholarship and covers a three-month research stay in Frankfurt, Germany.
Doucet Scholarship Benefits
Here’s what selected scholars will receive:
- Monthly stipend: €1,365 for 3 months (January 5 to March 31, 2026)
- Airfare reimbursement:
- Up to €1,500 for transatlantic flights
- Up to €750 for intra-European flights
- Accommodation:
- Optional rental of a room in the Institute’s residence
- Approximate cost: €680 per month (for full months).
Research Focus
Applicants should submit proposals related to:
- Colonial legal history
- Projects directly linked to the monographs and source editions found within the Doucet Collection.
The scholarship supports serious archival research, fostering academic growth and transnational dialogue in legal history.
How to Apply?
Interested candidates must submit the following documents in Spanish or English:
- CV (Curriculum Vitae)
- Project description (detailing the proposed research topic)
- Motivation letter (explaining how the Doucet Collection supports your research)
Submit your application through the official online application form here https://jobs.lhlt.mpg.de/jobposting/850b8f63a3c7f0e936eda60814f1ccbb686edb3e0.
⏰ Application Deadline Alert!
The last date to apply for the Doucet Scholarship 2026 at the Max Planck Institute is 15 September 2025.