The Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies (MPIfG) is inviting applications for its Visiting Researchers Program for the summer semester 2027. The program offers an opportunity for doctoral researchers, postdoctoral researchers and professors to spend between two and twelve months conducting research at the Institute in Cologne, Germany.
The Visiting Researchers Program is intended for scholars working in the fields of economic sociology and comparative and international political economy. Applicants are expected to propose a research project that relates closely to the MPIfG’s research program and that they wish to pursue during their stay at the Institute.
The Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies conducts basic research into the governance of modern societies. Its research seeks to develop empirically based theories of the social and political foundations of modern economies by examining the relationships between social, economic and political action.
Max Planck Institute Visiting Researchers Program 2027
The MPIfG Visiting Researchers Program provides scholars with an opportunity to become part of the Institute’s academic environment and pursue an independent research project related to its research agenda.
The Institute’s research program draws particularly on sociology and political science and combines approaches from new economic sociology with comparative and international political economy.
Visiting researchers will work in a collaborative academic environment and will be assigned to an MPIfG director or research group leader during their stay.
Applicants are therefore required to identify a preferred MPIfG director or research group leader as part of their online application.
Fields of Research
The program is specifically open to scholars whose research falls within:
- Economic sociology
- Comparative political economy
- International political economy
Applicants should ensure that their proposed research project has a clear connection to the MPIfG’s research program.
The Institute encourages research that relates to its broader interest in understanding the social, economic and political foundations of modern economies and the governance of modern societies.
Duration of the Visiting Research Stay
Visiting researchers can generally undertake stays ranging from:
- 2 months
- Up to 12 months
The exact dates of an agreed visiting researcher stay must be carefully considered before applying.
According to the program information, agreed dates cannot be postponed or split. If a successful applicant is subsequently unable to attend during the agreed period, they may reapply for the following year.
Who Can Apply?
The Visiting Researchers Program is open to:
- Professors
- Postdoctoral researchers
- Doctoral researchers
Applications are welcome from scholars based in Germany as well as researchers from abroad.
Applicants should have a research project that they wish to pursue at the MPIfG and that relates to the Institute’s research program.
Research Proposal Requirements
A central component of the application is the research proposal.
Applicants are expected to submit a research proposal of up to three pages outlining the project they intend to pursue during their time at the MPIfG.
The proposal should clearly communicate the research project and demonstrate its relevance to the Institute’s research program.
Applicants should therefore carefully consider:
- The research question they intend to investigate.
- How the project relates to economic sociology or comparative and international political economy.
- Why conducting the research at the MPIfG would be relevant to the project.
- The proposed research activities during the visiting period.
- The academic contribution or objectives of the research.
Funding for the Visiting Research Stay
An important requirement of the program is that visiting researchers must provide their own funding.
Applicants are required to submit a funding plan for their proposed stay.
The MPIfG does not indicate in the provided announcement that the visiting researcher position itself provides funding. Instead, successful applicants receive a letter of invitation that they can use when approaching funding institutions.
Researchers who require external financial support should therefore investigate suitable funding opportunities and develop their funding plans alongside their application.
Academic Environment
Successful visiting researchers become part of the MPIfG’s collaborative and collegial working environment.
During the program, each visiting researcher is assigned to an MPIfG director or research group leader.
Applicants are asked to indicate their preferred director or research group leader in the online application. This allows applicants to identify an academic connection between their research interests and the Institute’s research community.
The program can therefore provide an opportunity for researchers to pursue their own projects while engaging with scholars working within the Institute.
Selection Process
Successful candidates are selected on the basis of:
- Scholarly excellence
- The quality and relevance of the proposed research project
- The connection between the proposed project and the MPIfG research program
The research proposal can be up to three pages and should outline the project the applicant intends to pursue at the Institute.
Because the MPIfG is a small research institute, only a limited number of visiting researcher positions can be offered each year.
Applicants should therefore ensure that their research proposal is clearly developed and demonstrates a strong connection with the Institute’s academic focus.
Application Language
Applications may be submitted in:
- English
- German
The Institute states that applications must be submitted online.
Applications sent by email will not be considered.
Application Deadline
The deadline for applications to the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies Visiting Researchers Program is:
October 31, 2026 at 23:59 UTC+1
Applicants should ensure that their online application is completed and submitted before the stated deadline.
How to Apply
Interested researchers should prepare their application through the official MPIfG online application system.
The application process involves presenting the proposed research project and identifying a preferred MPIfG director or research group leader.
Applicants should also prepare their own funding plan because visiting researchers are expected to provide their own funding.
The official application page should be used to submit the application. Applications sent by email are not accepted.
How to Prepare a Strong Application
Applicants can take several steps to prepare before submitting their application.
1. Identify a relevant research topic
Develop a research project that falls within economic sociology or comparative and international political economy and has a clear connection to the MPIfG’s research program.
2. Develop the research proposal
Prepare a concise proposal of no more than three pages that clearly explains the project to be pursued during the visiting period.
3. Identify a suitable MPIfG research connection
Review the Institute’s research program and identify the director or research group leader whose expertise is most relevant to the proposed project.
4. Prepare a funding plan
Because visiting researchers are expected to provide their own funding, applicants should identify possible funding institutions and develop a realistic plan for financing their stay.
5. Plan the visiting period carefully
Applicants should consider the proposed dates carefully because agreed visiting periods cannot subsequently be postponed or divided.
6. Submit the application online
Complete the online application in English or German before the October 31, 2026 deadline.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
The MPIfG states that it is committed to equality of opportunity and a diverse and inclusive working environment.
The Institute welcomes applications from people of different backgrounds and highlights its commitment to equality of opportunity.
It also identifies compatibility between career and family as an important concern and supports the employment of people with disabilities.
About the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies
The Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies is a research institute of the Max Planck Society located in Cologne, Germany.
Its research focuses on the governance of modern societies and the social and political foundations of modern economies.
The Institute’s research draws on sociology and political science, with particular emphasis on new economic sociology and comparative and international political economy.
The Visiting Researchers Program provides an opportunity for scholars whose research aligns with these areas to spend an extended period working within the Institute’s research environment.
Important Information for Applicants
Before submitting an application, prospective visiting researchers should carefully consider the following:
- The program is for the summer semester 2027.
- Stays generally range from two to twelve months.
- Applications are open to professors, postdoctoral researchers and doctoral researchers.
- Applicants may be based in Germany or abroad.
- Research should relate to economic sociology or comparative and international political economy.
- The proposed project should relate to the MPIfG research program.
- The research proposal can be up to three pages.
- Applicants must provide their own funding and a funding plan.
- Successful applicants receive an invitation letter that can be used when approaching funding institutions.
- Applicants should identify a preferred MPIfG director or research group leader.
- Applications can be submitted in English or German.
- Applications must be submitted online.
- Applications by email are not considered.
- The application deadline is October 31, 2026 at 23:59 UTC+1.
- Only a limited number of visiting researcher positions are available each year.
Conclusion
The Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies Visiting Researchers Program 2027 offers an opportunity for doctoral researchers, postdoctoral researchers and professors to pursue research within a leading academic environment focused on the governance of modern societies and the relationship between social, economic and political action.
The program is particularly relevant to scholars working in economic sociology and comparative and international political economy who have a research project that aligns with the MPIfG’s research program.
Prospective applicants should prepare a research proposal of up to three pages, identify a suitable MPIfG director or research group leader, and develop a funding plan for their proposed stay.
Applications must be submitted online in English or German by October 31, 2026 at 23:59 UTC+1.
Discover more opportunities on the OFY Webpage.
