Deadline: October 31, 2026
Applications are open for the ABCD Future Environmental Leaders Scholarships 2027. Two ABCD Future Environmental Leaders Scholarships are available, each lasting nine months, targeting doctoral students from Developing Countries. The aim is to support research that can be translated into practical solutions.
Applicants must indicate their preferred host university:
- RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- Technische Universität Dresden, Germany
- UNU Resource Nexus (UNU Institute for Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and Resources), Dresden, Germany
The research stays are scheduled from March 1st, 2027, to November 30th, 2027.
Thematic Priority Areas
Applicants are encouraged to propose research projects aligned with the thematic areas of ABCD-Centre Clusters I, II, and III. While the call is open to a wide range of topics, priority will be given to proposals addressing the following themes:
- Topic A: Modelling Water Infrastructure, Innovative Methods in Digitalization for Digital Twins, Habitat Modelling
- Topic B: Innovative Monitoring for Ecosystem Resilience and Nature-Based Adaptation Measures
- Topic C: Climate-Driven Water Extremes in Urban Areas
- Topic D: Sustainable Business Models for Unconventional Water Resources
- Topic E: Eco-friendly Materials and Sustainable Building Solutions for Climate Adaptation
Scholarship
The scholarship typically includes components for mobility, accommodation and living expenses, insurances, and travel. The breakdown is as follows:
- Monthly accommodation and living expenses: €1,200 EUR
- Monthly insurance allowance: up to €105 EUR
- One-time travel expense stipend: up to €1,000 EUR
Additionally, up to €1,000 can be allocated for research project materials and equipment through the host institution.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be doctoral students who have commenced their PhD studies within the last three years, registered as full-time PhD students at universities in Developing Countries.
Application
Applicants should compile the following documents into a single PDF file and send it to [email protected] by the application deadline of October 31, 2026:
- Personal motivation for the research stay (2-3 pages)
- A sample of a written scientific paper
- Recent Curriculum Vitae
- Preferred host university (RWTH Aachen University, TU Dresden, or UNU Resource Nexus)
- A support letter from the home institution
- Preferably an invitation letter by host scientist
- Statement of the ability to work online if remote work is required
- Enrollment certificate and current transcript of records (not older than six months) from the home institution
- Passport copy
At the application stage, the applicant’s supervisor and the home university must agree on the following points:
- A research topic aligned with the clusters’ themes
- A detailed timeline of the entire doctoral project
- Description of the research project to be conducted in Germany, including a timetable and plans for future third-party funded research projects
- Planned contributions to the ABCD-Centre’s outreach activities
For more information, visit ABCD Future Environmental Leaders Scholarships.
