Max Planck Institute for Legal History and Legal Theory
Research Stay: January 5 – March 31, 2026
Application Deadline: 15 September 2025
Location: Frankfurt am Main, Germany
About the Doucet Scholarship
The Max Planck Institute for Legal History and Legal Theory (MPI-LHLT) announces the eighth annual call for the Doucet Scholarship, aimed at supporting young researchers from outside Frankfurt—particularly from Latin America—to conduct a three-month research stay at the Institute. The program is specifically designed to facilitate scholarly access to the Doucet Collection, a unique and valuable resource for researchers studying the legal history of early modern Hispanoamerica.
Through this initiative, the Institute continues its mission of fostering international academic exchange, expanding access to underused legal historical materials, and supporting emerging scholars in developing impactful research rooted in rare primary sources.
Objective of the Scholarship
The Doucet Scholarship provides financial and institutional support to junior researchers whose academic projects directly relate to the monographs and edited sources that comprise the Doucet Collection. These works offer critical insight into the legal and administrative systems of the Spanish colonial world and form the backbone of historical legal scholarship related to the region.
The program invites applications from graduate students or early-stage researchers currently enrolled in a university program, with projects focused on legal history in early modern Hispanoamerica. Proposed research must demonstrate a clear scholarly engagement with the contents of the Doucet Collection.
Scholarship Details
Selected scholars will benefit from:
- A monthly scholarship of €1,365 for the three-month research stay (January to March 2026)
- Reimbursement of roundtrip airfare:
- Up to €1,500 for transatlantic flights
- Up to €750 for flights within Europe
- Accommodation support:
- Scholars may rent rooms in the Institute’s residences, subject to availability
- Rooms are rented on a monthly basis and cost approximately €680 per month
In addition to financial support, scholars will have full access to the Institute’s research infrastructure, including its specialized legal historical library, expert mentorship from staff researchers, and engagement with a vibrant international academic community.
Eligibility Criteria
The scholarship is open to:
- Young researchers currently enrolled in a university program (Master’s or PhD level)
- Applicants whose research proposals are directly connected to the Doucet Collection
- Scholars with a demonstrable interest in early modern legal history, particularly within the context of Hispanoamerica
There is no restriction on nationality, though the program encourages applications from Latin American countries, aligning with the intent to broaden access for scholars whose home institutions may have limited access to the Doucet materials.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit the following documents:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Project Description
- Clearly outlining the research question, methodology, and relevance to the Doucet Collection
- Motivation Letter
- Emphasizing the importance of the Doucet Collection to the proposed work and detailing the applicant’s academic goals
Submissions may be written in either Spanish or English.
Application Process
All applications must be submitted via the Institute’s online application portal by 15 September 2025.
Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. Only applicants who submit their documents through the official portal will be eligible for selection.
To apply, please visit the official online application page.
About the Institute
The Max Planck Institute for Legal History and Legal Theory, located in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, is a world-leading institution in the field of historical legal research. The Institute hosts a diverse international research community and offers unparalleled access to specialized libraries, archival collections, and legal scholarship resources.
Its commitment to open, inclusive, and globally relevant scholarship is demonstrated through initiatives like the Doucet Scholarship, which supports early-career scholars working at the intersection of legal history, colonial studies, and Latin American research.
Important Dates
- Application Deadline: 15 September 2025
- Research Period: 5 January – 31 March 2026
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Disclaimer:Â Global South Opportunities (GSO)Â is not the awarding organization. For any inquiries, please contact the Max Planck Institute directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
