The Doucet Scholarship 2026 – 3‑Month Research Stay in Frankfurt at Max Planck Institute

Omran Aburayya
Aug 6
3 min read

If you're a young researcher enrolled in a Master’s or PhD program with a focus on early modern Hispano‑America and colonial legal history, this is your chance. The Max Planck Institute for Legal History and Legal Theory (MPI‑LHLT) invites applications for its prestigious 8th Doucet Scholarship, offering a three‑month fully‑funded research stay at its Frankfurt campus to work directly with the renowned Doucet Collection.

🎓 Scholarship Summary

Location: Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Host Institution: Max Planck Institute for Legal History and Legal Theory
Study Level: Master’s / early‑career researchers (PhD candidates, postdocs)
Target Group: Researchers living outside Frankfurt, with strong emphasis on Latin American scholars
Fields of Focus: Legal history of colonial Hispano‑America, using monographs and edited sources in the Doucet Collection
Value & Coverage:
- €1,365/month stipend for January 5 – March 31, 2026 (max 3 months)
- Airfare reimbursement: up to €1,500 (transatlantic), €750 (within Europe)
- Optional accommodation in MPI residences (~€680/month)
Application Deadline: 15 September 2025
Research Period: 5 January – 31 March 2026
Eligible to: All nationalities, preference to Latin American scholars, must not reside in Frankfurt

✨ Scholarship Overview

The Doucet Scholarship was established to grant access to the Doucet Collection, which includes approximately 4,800 volumes on colonial legal systems across Hispano‑America—including New Spain, Peru, River Plate, Philippines, Antilles, and more.

This immersive research fellowship allows scholars to engage with rare primary sources and contribute meaningfully to legal-historical scholarship in a vibrant international academic environment.

🎁 Scholarship Benefits

Stipend: €1,365 monthly for three months to support living costs
Travel Reimbursement: Up to €1,500 (transatlantic) or €750 (European flights)
Housing Option: Rent a room in MPI’s student residences (~€680/month), available on full-month basis
Academic Access: Full use of the Doucet Collection, library services, seminars, and mentorship from institute staff
Networking: Opportunity to join a multicultural community of legal history scholars

✅ Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following:

Currently enrolled in a university program (Master’s, PhD or equivalent)
Propose research strictly tied to the Doucet Collection and focused on early modern legal history in Hispano‑America
Reside outside Frankfurt at the time of application
Fluent enough to submit application documents in English or Spanish
Preference given to candidates from Latin America, but open to all nationalities

📝 Application Procedure

📁 Documents to Prepare:

Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Project Description: Research question, objectives, methodology, relevance to Doucet Collection
Motivation Letter: How the Doucet Collection strengthens your project; its impact on your academic goals

All documents must be in Spanish or English and submitted via MPI’s online application portal by 15 September 2025

📬 Submission:

Apply online through MPI‑LHLT’s official portal
Contact: sekduve@lhlt.mpg.de for application-related inquiries

About the Max Planck Institute

Situated in Frankfurt and part of the prestigious Max Planck Society, MPI‑LHLT is a global hub for research on legal history and theory. Founded in 1964, it boasts three departments, over 160 staff, and a library with more than 470,000 legal-historical items. Since 2021, the institute has placed even greater emphasis on global, transnational perspectives, including colonial legal systems beyond Europe.

Why the Doucet Scholarship Matters

Access to one of the world’s most comprehensive collections on colonial legal history in the Hispanic world
Tailored support for early-career researchers, including travel and living cost coverage
Gain international exposure and mentor-driven research guidance
Catalyze your academic career in the field of legal history and colonial studies