About the opportunity
What this programme is offering
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.
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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 periodThe 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:Important Application Deadline
Prospective applicants should note the following key dates and information:
Read Anthropology Books
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 communityWhy 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.
How to apply