Call for Applications: Fully Funded Doucet Scholarship 2026

The Max Planck Institute for Legal History and Legal Theory (MPI-LHLT) is now accepting applications for the 2026 edition of the Doucet Scholarship. This annual program offers young researchers the opportunity to access the Institute’s prestigious Doucet Collection in Frankfurt, Germany, with full financial support for a three-month research stay.

About the Doucet Scholarship

The scholarship was established to support early-career researchers, particularly those from Latin America, who are working on topics related to early modern Hispanoamerican legal history. Recipients will gain direct access to the Doucet Collection, one of the most valuable repositories of printed legal sources in this field, enabling them to advance their academic projects with unique resources.

Scholarship Benefits

• Duration of stay: January 5 – March 31, 2026
• Monthly stipend: €1,365
• Travel support:
  • Up to €1,500 for transatlantic flights
  • Up to €750 for flights within Europe
• Accommodation: Rooms available at the Institute’s residences (approx. €680 per month, full months only)

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

1. Be graduate students or doctoral candidates currently enrolled at a university.
2. Have a research focus on legal history in early modern Hispanoamerica.
3. Present a clear connection between their proposed project and the Doucet Collection.

Application Requirements

Applications should be submitted in Spanish or English and must include:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Project description highlighting the research topic and its link to the Doucet Collection
• Motivation letter explaining the intended use of the collection during the stay

Application Deadline

All applications must be submitted via the Institute’s online portal no later than September 15, 2025.

Selection Process

A selection committee at MPI-LHLT will review all submissions. Successful applicants will be contacted with further details after the review process.

Contact Information

For questions regarding eligibility or application requirements, applicants can reach out via email: sekduve@lhlt.mpg.de.

About the Doucet Collection

The Doucet Collection contains an extensive range of monographs, source editions, and printed works that are critical for studying the colonial legal systems of early modern Hispanoamerica. Named after its donor, the collection reflects decades of scholarly dedication and continues to be a cornerstone for researchers in the field.

Important Dates

• Application deadline: September 15, 2025
• Research stay: January 5 – March 31, 2026

This scholarship offers a rare chance for emerging scholars to immerse themselves in primary sources, collaborate with an international academic community, and make meaningful contributions to legal history research. Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.