Max Planck Visiting Researcher Stay

The Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies (MPIfG) in Cologne, Germany, hosts doctoral students, postdocs and professors for research stays of two to twelve months. This call is for stays in the summer semester 2027, which starts on April 1. Visiting researchers work alongside an MPIfG director or research group leader, but the stay is unpaid: you bring your own funding, and a successful application gets you a letter of invitation to take to funders.

What you get:

• A research stay of two to twelve months at the MPIfG in Cologne, Germany
• Advice from an MPIfG director or research group leader throughout your stay
• Office space at the Institute and full access to its service infrastructure
• A letter of invitation you can use to approach funding institutions

What you'll do:

• Pursue your own research project connected to the MPIfG's research program in economic sociology or comparative and international political economy
• Work within the Institute's research community for the length of your stay

Key dates:

• Applications close October 31, 2026 at 23:59 (UTC+1, German time)
• Notification soon after the deadline
• Summer semester stays begin from April 1, 2027
• The next call, for the winter semester starting October 1, closes on April 30

More information:

• Apply only through the online portal, in English or German; email applications are not considered
• Only fully completed applications are considered, and the Institute does not review drafts or hold preliminary discussions about topics or supervision
• Agreed dates cannot be postponed or split; if you cannot come as planned you must reapply the following year
• Places are limited each year

• Open to professors, postdoctoral researchers and doctoral students, from Germany or abroad
• Research in economic sociology or comparative and international political economy
• A proposed project that relates to the MPIfG's research program and ongoing projects
• You must provide your own funding and a funding plan for the stay
• A one-page motivation letter naming the MPIfG researcher whose interests align with yours, your funding information and preferred dates
• A CV covering academic training and professional experience
• A list of publications
• A research project outline of two to three pages
• Applications in English or German, through the online portal only