The Max Planck Dissertation Fellowship 2027 in Germany offers doctoral candidates in the final stage of their PhD a unique opportunity to complete their dissertation at the Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology. This fully funded fellowship provides a monthly living stipend and access to world-class research resources.
The Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology in Halle (Saale) is one of the leading centres for research in social anthropology. Its Law & Anthropology Department provides an interdisciplinary forum for anthropologists and legal scholars to conduct cutting-edge, policy-relevant research on legal pluralism and social change.
Max Planck Dissertation Fellowship Benefits
- Monthly living stipend that is not taxable and free of social security obligations
- Up to 4 months of funding at the Institute
- Access to the Institute’s resources while finalizing dissertation
- Opportunity to participate in Department activities and seminar series
Max Planck Dissertation Fellowship Eligibility Criteria
- Doctoral candidates in the final stage of their PhD programme
- Topic must be of immediate relevance to the Law & Anthropology Department’s research programme
- Priority given to applicants working towards PhDs in anthropology
- Clear understanding must be reached in advance between the Director and the candidate’s principal supervisor
Required Application Documents
- Cover letter.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- A writing sample consisting of one chapter of the PhD dissertation.
- A one- to two-page summary of the doctoral research.
- Copies of university degrees and academic transcripts.
- A recommendation letter from the principal supervisor confirming that the applicant has reached a sufficiently advanced stage to complete the dissertation within the fellowship period.
Fellowship Focus Areas
- Law and anthropology
- Legal pluralism
- Comparative legal systems
- Ethnographic research
- Social and legal change
- Human rights and governance
- Policy-oriented anthropological research
- Migration and legal diversity
- Community justice systems
- Interdisciplinary legal studies
How to Apply for Max Planck Dissertation Fellowship?
- Submit cover letter
- Submit curriculum vitae
- Submit writing sample (chapter of the PhD dissertation)
- Submit 1–2-page summary of the PhD work
- Submit photocopies of university degrees and transcripts
- Arrange for a letter of recommendation from the principal supervisor to be sent directly to [email protected]
- Submit application materials electronically by 15 September 2026 via the online application form
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the Max Planck Dissertation Fellowship. These answers cover eligibility, benefits, deadlines, and how to apply.
What is the Max Planck Dissertation Fellowship?
The Max Planck Dissertation Fellowship is a writing-up fellowship for doctoral candidates in the final stage of their PhD. It allows them to spend up to 4 months at the Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology in Halle, Germany, to finalize their dissertations with a monthly living stipend.
Who can apply for this fellowship?
Doctoral candidates in the final stage of their PhD programme whose topic is relevant to the Law & Anthropology Department’s research programme. Priority is given to applicants working towards PhDs in anthropology.
What is the duration of the fellowship?
The fellowship is awarded for a maximum of 4 months. It can begin either in spring (March 1 to June 30) or fall (September 1 to December 31) 2027.
What are the benefits of the fellowship?
The fellowship provides a monthly living stipend that is not taxable and free of social security obligations. Fellows also gain access to the Institute’s resources and participate in Department activities and seminar series.
What is the application deadline?
The application deadline is 15 September 2026. All materials must be submitted electronically by this date.
What documents are required for the application?
Applicants must submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, writing sample (chapter of the PhD dissertation), 1–2-page summary of the PhD work, photocopies of university degrees and transcripts, and a letter of recommendation from the principal supervisor.
How do I submit my application?
Applications must be submitted electronically via the online application form linked on the Max Planck Institute’s vacancies page. The letter of recommendation should be sent directly to [email protected].
Is the fellowship fully funded?
Yes, the fellowship is fully funded. It includes a monthly living stipend that covers living expenses during the 4-month period at the Institute.
Can I apply if my PhD is not in anthropology?
Priority is given to applicants working towards PhDs in anthropology. However, the topic must be of immediate relevance to the Law & Anthropology Department’s research programme.
What is the research focus of the Law & Anthropology Department?
The Department focuses on comparative analysis of social change, legal pluralism, and the translation of ethnographic knowledge into normative thinking, particularly in the European context.
Discover more from Scholarship Union
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
