Institute Grant

At the Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law, scholars pursue research relating to basic issues and current developments in the areas of public international law, European Union law, and the constitutional and administrative law of individual states, together with numerous visiting scholars from all over the world. In its fields, our library is the largest in Europe and one of the most comprehensive in the world.
Institute Grant (Research)
The Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law offers a limited number of research grants for foreign scholars. The grants are financed by the Max Planck Society and are intended to support research at the Institute. The maximum length of a grant is 6 months. Applicants are preferred whose projects are capable of promoting the research interests of the Institute. Among these interests are co-work on Institute projects, joint projects of Institute fellows and visiting scholars, as well as individual projects of visiting scholars, to the extent they fall within the research fields of the Institute. Topical proximity to the ongoing Institutional Projects is an advantage.
- post-docs and other scholars at an advanced stage of training from foreign institutions
- professors and senior scholars with equivalent academic achievements from foreign institutions

In principle, no grants will be awarded to persons pursuing a doctorate in Germany.
Application
- a cover letter/motivation letter indicating, inter alia, information about the home institution and the planned research period at the Max Planck Institute (concrete dates of arrival and departure DD-MM-YYYY)
- a curriculum vitae in tabular form (with personal information incl. nationality and residential address)
- a brief list of selected publications (1-2 pages)
- a short sketch of the proposed project (topic/headline, description of the project and research plan, max. 4 pages)

Applications for grants awarded by other Max Planck institutes cannot be accepted here
Things to know about Institute grants
Amount of the grant
The amount of the grant varies according to academic qualifications:

- € 2.500,00 / month (research grant, group 1)
- € 3.000,00 / month (research grant, group 2)

Travel and other expenses
Travel expenses to and from Heidelberg are not included in the grant. The Institute will not reimburse travel expenses. No allowances or reimbursement will be given for further costs or outlays.
Language knowledge
The required level of German language proficiency depends above all on the planned research. In any case, a sufficient knowledge of German or English to allow for integration into the Institute community is assumed.
Accommodations
Please arrange for accommodations in a timely manner before your arrival. Housing in Heidelberg is in short supply and also rather expensive. It can be difficult to find a furnished room even for just a few months. If desired, we will send you a list of guest houses in the area. We kindly ask that you book accommodations yourself. The Institute cannot assume this task or act as your agent in this regard.
Health insurance
Visiting scholars are not insured by the Max Planck Institute. You are advised to extend your existing insurance coverage or to obtain insurance specifically covering the duration of your stay. Please make sure that your health insurance is conforming to German standards. The responsibility for the structure of your private health insurance organization should be able to advise you on this. Proof of sufficient health insurance is required at the latest when commencing the grant.
Further questions?
For additional information about the grant program, please contact Christa Stadler ().
Max Planck Institute
for Comparative Public Law and International Law
Im Neuenheimer Feld 535
69120 Heidelberg