The Max Planck Institute for Legal History and Legal Theory in Frankfurt, Germany, is offering the Doucet Scholarship 2026. This is a fully funded research opportunity designed especially for early-career scholars, with a special focus on applicants from Latin America.
This opportunity supports researchers who want to explore the Doucet Collection, a unique and valuable archive of monographs and legal sources related to the history of colonial law. The scholarship covers travel costs and provides a monthly stipend to help you live and study in Germany.
If you’re working on colonial legal history and want to spend time doing research in one of the world’s top legal history institutes, this is a perfect chance to apply.
Quick Overview of Max Planck Doucet Scholarship 2026
- Host Country: Germany
- Host Institution: Max Planck Institute for Legal History and Legal Theory
- Deadline: September 15, 2025
- Program Duration: January 5 to March 31, 2026 (3 months)
- Programs: Legal history, colonial law research
- Value: €1,365/month + travel reimbursement (up to €1,500 for transatlantic flights, €750 for European flights) + housing option
- Age Limit: Not specified
- Eligibility: Young researchers working on colonial law, especially from Latin America
Perks of the Doucet Scholarship in Germany
- Monthly stipend of €1,365 to support living expenses in Germany
- Travel cost reimbursement – up to €1,500 for international flights and €750 for flights within Europe
- Accommodation option – rooms at the institute’s residence for approx. €680/month
- Access to the Doucet Collection – a rich archive for legal history research
- Three-month stay in a world-class academic environment
- Networking with global legal historians and researchers
Benefits of the Leadership Development Scholarship
- You will gain access to one of the most important collections for colonial legal history.
- Enhance your academic profile and build connections in your field.
- Study in a new country, explore Germany, and develop your independent research skills.
Exclusions of the Scholarship for Lawyers
- The program does not cover daily meals or local transportation.
- The housing is optional and costs about €680/month.
- Only one stay is allowed per applicant.
- Research topics must be directly related to the Doucet Collection.
Eligibility Criteria of the Scholarship for International Students
You can apply if:
- You are a young researcher (typically early in your academic career).
- Your research project is focused on the history of colonial law.
- Your topic must be linked to the monographs or sources in the Doucet Collection.
- Applicants from outside Frankfurt, especially from Latin America, are highly encouraged to apply.
- You can submit your application in English or Spanish.
Important Dates of the Max Planck Doucet Scholarship
- Application Deadline: September 15, 2025
- Research Stay Period: January 5 to March 31, 2026
- Notification Date: Likely by late 2025 (exact date not specified)
How to Apply to the Colonial Law Research Scholarship
- Visit the official application page
- Prepare the following documents:
- Your CV (Curriculum Vitae)
- A project description explaining your research topic
- A motivation letter explaining how the Doucet Collection will support your research
- Submit your application using the online application form before September 15, 2025.
- You may write your application in Spanish or English.
Required Documents for the Max Planck Doucet Scholarship
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Project description focusing on colonial law and how it relates to the Doucet Collection
- Motivation letter (why you want to use the Doucet Collection)
- Submitted through the online application form
For questions, you can email: sekduve@lhlt.mpg.de
Country-Specific Criteria for the Max Planck Doucet Scholarship
While the scholarship is open to all researchers, it gives special encouragement to applicants from Latin America. This includes countries like:
- Argentina
- Brazil
- Chile
- Colombia
- Mexico
- Peru
- Uruguay
- And other Latin American nations
Applicants from these regions are especially welcome.
