Historical Regimes of Normativity (Thomas Duve) - Scholarships and Guest Residencies 2027/2028

The Department at the Max Planck Institute for Legal History and Legal Theory invites applications for scholarships for research stays during the period April 2027 to March 2028.

The Department’s research is dedicated to understanding how law and other forms of normativity are produced across time and space. We approach legal history and the history of normative orders as a history of the translation of knowledge of normativity. Particular attention is paid to the diverse forms of knowledge that contribute to the making of normative orders and the ways in which such knowledge acquires authority in specific historical contexts.

For the 2027/2028 scholarship cycle, we especially welcome projects that explore the role of different forms of knowledge in the production of law and normativity. This includes, but is not limited to, legal knowledge, spiritual and religious knowledge, practical knowledge, technical expertise, emotions, experiences and other epistemic forms that shape normative practices and institutions.

In particular, we encourage applications from scholars working on:

1. Vernacular, indigenous, local and traditional forms of knowledge, especially projects examining their contribution to the formation, interpretation or negotiation of normative orders;
2. The shaping of transnational legal regimes, especially projects analysing the emergence of transnational law from a perspective from local actors in Latin America, Africa, and Asia;
3. Knowledge-historical approaches to global legal history, including projects interested in collaborative reflection, co-theorisation and public communication on how different intellectual and historical traditions can contribute to a better understanding of the production of law and other modes of normativity.

At the same time, the Department welcomes applications on topics beyond these thematic priorities if applicants can demonstrate how their research would productively engage with and enrich the Department’s broader research agenda.

Fellowship Conditions
The Department offers residential scholarships, as well as opportunities for self-funded research stays, for periods of three or six months. Research stays may begin on one of the following dates:

• 1 April 2027
• 1 July 2027
• 1 October 2027
• 4 January 2028 (three-month stays only, ending on 31 March 2028)

Please note that scholarships for postdoctoral and senior researcher can only be awarded to researchers not permanently resident in Germany nor employed by a German institution at the time of application. This restriction does not apply to doctoral students.

Scholarship holders become part of the Department’s intellectual community and are warmly invited to participate in the academic life of the Institute. During their stay, they are expected to present their research at least once within the Department and to offer a blog post to be published in the Department’s blog .

Application Procedure and Timeline
The deadline for applications is 15 September 2026.

Applications must be submitted via our . Applications sent by email or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Shortlisted candidates may be invited to an online interview in the week of 12 to 16 October 2026. Final decisions regarding fellowship offers will be communicated by 31 October 2026.

As the Department receives a high number of applications each year, applicants are kindly asked to note that exceptions to the announced dates and scholarship terms cannot be made.

Please also note that the Department will not issue further calls for scholarships before the next application cycle in September 2027.

Practical Information
Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to familiarise themselves with the Institute’s .

Please note the following practical constraints:

• The Institute has only a limited number of guest studio apartments available and housing cannot be guaranteed for all scholarship holders. The Institute is regrettably unable to provide assistance in securing outside accommodation. Where the Institute is able to provide accommodation, apartments can be rented for approx. EUR 700 per month.
• Scholarship holders will receive a monthly stipend of either €1650 (doctoral students), €3000 (postdoctoral researchers) or €3600 (senior researchers). Please note, however, that any other income researchers receive during the scholarship (for example, from existing employment relationships) has to be set off against the amount awarded and will thus be taken into account when determining the exact amount of the stipend.
• Once the dates of the research stay have been agreed between the scholarship holder and the Institute, they cannot be subsequently changed.
• Reimbursement of travel expenses to and from Frankfurt can be granted only in exceptional cases. Applicants seeking reimbursement are asked to explain the circumstances that necessitate such support.
• Scholarship holders are responsible for ensuring compliance with legal requirements for research stays in Germany, particularly with regard to visa regulations and health insurance.
• Scholarship holders are obliged to remain in residence in Frankfurt and actively engage in the Institute's academic activities for the full duration of their award.

Applications should include:

• Curriculum vitae
• Research statement (1 page)
• Research proposal (maximum 5 pages)
• If applicable: Reasons for seeking reimbursement of travel costs (1 page)

The research statement should provide an overview of the applicant’s past and current research interests and activities. It should also explain

1. how the proposed project relates to the Department’s research profile; and
2. the applicant’s expectations regarding their stay at the Institute.

Contact

International Office .