Max Planck Barbara Huber Scholarship Program 2026

A residency program at the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Crime, Security and Law in Freiburg, Germany for doctoral candidates, postdocs, and senior academics. You'll conduct research within one of three departments: Criminal Law (exploring criminal liability and digital-age penal systems), Public Law (focusing on public security and danger prevention), or Criminology (investigating psychological and environmental drivers of deviant behavior). The program provides access to one of the world's most comprehensive specialist libraries in criminal law and criminology, plus opportunities to participate in colloquia and workshops that often lead to international collaborations. Named after pioneering legal scholar Barbara Huber, this program seeks innovative research projects that introduce new perspectives rather than just updating existing literature.

• Applicants must be doctoral students (PhD candidates), postdoctoral researchers, and professors or senior academics. Projects must be innovative and align with the research areas of the Department of Criminal Law, Department of Public Law, or Department of Criminology. Applicants must demonstrate outstanding academic qualifications and a proven track record of research. Proficiency in English or German is required to conduct high-level research and submit publication samples. Applicants must provide proof of comprehensive health insurance coverage for the duration of their stay in Germany.
• Graduate student
• In a postgraduate program
• Working (full-time or part-time)