Max Planck Institute Opens Applications for 2027 Dissertation Writing-Up Fellowships in Law and Anthropology ·Up Fellowships in Law and Anthropology

The Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology has officially announced applications for its 2027 Dissertation Writing-up Fellowships offered through the Law & Anthropology Department.

The prestigious fellowship is aimed at doctoral candidates who are in the final stages of completing their PhD dissertations and are seeking dedicated time, academic support, and access to world-class research resources to finalize their work.

Applications are open until 15 September 2026, with successful candidates expected to begin their fellowship during either the spring or autumn of 2027. The opportunity is particularly attractive for PhD candidates in anthropology whose research aligns with the department’s interdisciplinary focus on law, legal pluralism, and social change.

A Prestigious Opportunity for Final-Year Doctoral Candidates

The Dissertation Writing-up Fellowship has been designed to provide doctoral researchers with uninterrupted time to complete their dissertations while becoming part of one of Europe’s leading research environments in social anthropology.

Hosted at the Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology in Halle (Saale), Germany, the fellowship allows selected researchers to spend up to four months working alongside internationally recognized scholars. During this period, fellows can make full use of the Institute’s extensive academic resources, research facilities, and collaborative environment.

For the 2027 intake, the Law & Anthropology Department has announced that priority will be given to applicants pursuing PhDs in anthropology, although candidates whose research strongly fits the department’s programme may also be considered.

About the Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology

The Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology is internationally recognized as one of the world’s leading institutions for research in social anthropology. Its scholars conduct comparative research examining social change across diverse societies while contributing significantly to anthropological theory and policy development.

The Institute’s Law & Anthropology Department provides an interdisciplinary platform where anthropologists and legal scholars collaborate to study the growing interactions between legal systems, communities, and states in an increasingly interconnected world.

Its research focuses on understanding how ethnographic knowledge can contribute to legal thinking, governance, and policymaking. Particular emphasis is placed on legal pluralism, cross-border legal encounters, and the challenges presented by increasingly diverse European societies.

Researchers whose work contributes to these themes are especially encouraged to apply.

Fellowship Focus Areas

The Law & Anthropology Department welcomes applications from doctoral candidates whose dissertation research aligns closely with its academic priorities.

Relevant research areas include:

• 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

Applicants are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Institute’s research agenda, including the relevant sections of its 2020–2022 research report and departmental highlights before preparing their applications.

What Fellows Will Be Expected to Do

The fellowship is not simply a funding opportunity but also an opportunity to engage with a vibrant international research community.

During the fellowship period, successful candidates will be expected to:

• Complete their doctoral dissertation.
• Participate in departmental seminars and academic discussions.
• Present their doctoral research as part of the department’s seminar series.
• Produce and submit a working paper related to their research project.
• Engage actively with faculty members and fellow researchers throughout their stay.

The department also requires an understanding between the Department Director and the candidate’s principal supervisor before the fellowship begins. This arrangement is intended to ensure that both institutions work together to maximize the candidate’s academic progress during the fellowship period.

Fellowship Duration and Available Sessions

The Dissertation Writing-up Fellowship is available for a maximum period of four months.

Successful applicants may choose one of two fellowship periods in 2027:

• Spring session: 1 March to 30 June 2027
• Autumn session: 1 September to 31 December 2027

The fixed fellowship periods allow participants to fully immerse themselves in the Institute’s academic activities while dedicating substantial time to completing their doctoral manuscripts.

Financial Support for Successful Applicants

The Max Planck Institute provides successful fellows with a monthly living stipend throughout the fellowship period.

The stipend offers several financial advantages:

• Monthly financial support for living expenses.
• The stipend is non-taxable.
• It is free from social security obligations.
• Fellows gain access to one of Europe’s leading academic research environments without employment-related deductions.

Although the fellowship is not an employment contract, it provides valuable financial assistance that enables candidates to focus entirely on completing their dissertations.

Required Application Documents

Applicants must prepare and submit a complete application package electronically before the deadline.

The required documents include:

• 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.

Importantly, the supervisor’s recommendation letter must be sent directly to the Law & Anthropology Department rather than included in the applicant’s submission.

Important Application Deadline

Prospective applicants should note the following key dates and information:

• Application deadline: 15 September 2026
• Fellowship duration: Up to four months
• Location: Halle (Saale), Germany
• Host institution: Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology
• Department: Law & Anthropology Department
• Funding: Monthly living stipend
• Priority: PhD candidates in anthropology nearing dissertation completion

Late applications are unlikely to be considered, making early preparation highly advisable.

Commitment to Diversity and Equal Opportunities

The Max Planck Society continues to emphasize its commitment to promoting gender equality, diversity, and inclusion across all of its research programmes. Qualified applicants from diverse academic, cultural, and national backgrounds are encouraged to apply, helping strengthen the Institute’s international research community.

Why This Fellowship Stands Out

The Dissertation Writing-up Fellowship offers much more than financial support. It provides doctoral candidates with uninterrupted writing time, access to internationally renowned scholars, valuable interdisciplinary collaboration, and the opportunity to refine their research within one of Europe’s most respected anthropology institutes.

For researchers working on law, anthropology, legal pluralism, and related interdisciplinary fields, the fellowship represents an exceptional opportunity to complete a doctoral dissertation while expanding professional networks and contributing to globally relevant academic debates.

With applications closing on 15 September 2026, eligible doctoral candidates are encouraged to begin preparing their materials well in advance to maximize their chances of securing one of these highly competitive fellowships.

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the  organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official  organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs 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.

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