ABCD Future Environmental Leaders PhD Scholarship 2027 – Fully Funded Research Stay in Germany

Scholarship Description

The ABCD Future Environmental Leaders Scholarship is a prestigious opportunity offered by the Global Water and Climate Adaptation Centre (ABCD-Centre) – a collaborative initiative involving RWTH Aachen University, the Asian Institute of Technology, the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, the United Nations University – Institute for Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and Resources (UNU Resource Nexus), and Technische Universität Dresden. This consortium comprehensively addresses the worldwide challenges of water security and climate adaptation.

The scholarship supports doctoral students from Developing Countries to conduct research at RWTH Aachen University, Technische Universität Dresden, or UNU Resource Nexus in Dresden, Germany. The primary goal of the ABCD-Centre is to provide research-focused training to Future Environmental Leaders who will facilitate the translation of research findings into practical applications.

The ABCD-Centre's work is organized into three interconnected research clusters: Cluster I (Water Security, Water Resources Management, Secure Water Supply, and Water Treatment), Cluster II (Ecosystem Resilience and Nature-Based Adaptation Measures), and Cluster III (Transfer Strategies for Climate Adaptation: Traditional Knowledge, Local Economies, and Societal Acceptance).

Scholarship Location

The research stay is tenable at one of the following host universities in Germany:

• RWTH Aachen University – Aachen, Germany
• Technische Universität Dresden – Dresden, Germany
• UNU Resource Nexus (UNU Institute for Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and Resources) – Dresden, Germany

Scholarship Deadline

The application deadline is October 31st, 2026.

Host Institutions

The ABCD-Centre is a collaborative initiative involving RWTH Aachen University, the Asian Institute of Technology, the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, UNU Resource Nexus, and Technische Universität Dresden. The scholarships enable recipients to conduct research at RWTH Aachen University, Technische Universität Dresden, or UNU Resource Nexus in Dresden, Germany.

Level and Fields of Study

Level: PhD (Doctoral Research Stay) – 9 months.

Thematic Priority Areas: Applicants are encouraged to propose research projects aligned with the thematic areas of ABCD-Centre Clusters I, II, and III. 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

Target Group

Doctoral students from Developing Countries who have commenced their PhD studies within the last three years and are registered as full-time PhD students at universities in Developing Countries.

Scholarship Duration & Amount

Duration: 9 months (March 1st – November 30th, 2027).

Scholarship benefits include:

• 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
• Research project materials and equipment: up to 1,000 EUR (allocated through the host institution)

Scholarship Eligibility

Essential criteria:

• Enrollment: Must be a doctoral student who has commenced PhD studies within the last three years.
• Registration: Must be registered as a full-time PhD student at a university in a Developing Country.
• Research alignment: Proposed research project should align with the thematic areas of ABCD-Centre Clusters I, II, and III.
• English proficiency: Proficiency in English is vital, along with effective communication skills and adaptability to research in Germany.
• Availability: Preference is given to candidates willing to spend the full nine-month period in Germany.
• Supervisor agreement: The applicant's supervisor and home university must agree on the research topic, timeline, and planned contributions.

Application Procedure

Applicants should compile the following documents into a single PDF file and send it to abcd-centre@rwth-aachen.de by the application deadline of October 31st, 2026:

1. Personal motivation for the research stay (2-3 pages)
2. A sample of a written scientific paper
3. Recent Curriculum Vitae
4. Preferred host university (RWTH Aachen University, TU Dresden, or UNU Resource Nexus)
5. A support letter from the home institution
6. Preferably an invitation letter by host scientist
7. Statement of the ability to work online if remote work is required
8. Enrollment certificate and current transcript of records (not older than six months) from the home institution
9. Passport copy

Agreement between supervisor and home university: 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

Selection criteria and process: Selection is based on academic merit, a strong motivation to contribute to the field, and the quality of the research proposal. The Steering Committee of the ABCD-Centre carries out the selection process. Equal opportunities and diversity are emphasized. Preference is given to candidates willing to spend the full nine-month period in Germany and those interested in translating research findings into policy papers.

Additional information:

• A mandatory scholarship and experience report must be submitted three months before the scholarship ends.
• A scientific draft paper based on the research conducted during the fellowship must be submitted before the end of the research stay. The draft should demonstrate the scientific outcomes of the research stay and may subsequently be developed into a publication.
• Applicants are encouraged to seek guidance from their local International Office and DAAD office for stay-related inquiries.
• Rules and regulations by the DAAD and the German Federal Foreign Office apply, along with those of the host institutions.
• Upon selection, scholarship recipients sign a contract with the host institution detailing terms and conduct.

Official Website & Application Link

ABCD-Centre – Future Environmental Leaders Scholarships

Contact Email: abcd-centre@rwth-aachen.de

ABCD-Centre Website: https://www.abcd-centre.org