Doctoral students from developing countries have an opportunity to undertake an international research stay in Germany through the ABCD Future Environmental Leaders Scholarships 2027.
The programme supports PhD candidates from the Global South whose research contributes to addressing major challenges related to water security, climate adaptation, ecosystem resilience and sustainable development.
Organised through the Global Water and Climate Adaptation Centre – Aachen, Bangkok, Chennai, Dresden (ABCD-Centre), the scholarship will support two doctoral students for nine-month research stays at leading institutions in Germany.
The research stays will run from 1 March to 30 November 2027, with successful scholars able to conduct research at RWTH Aachen University, Technische Universität Dresden or UNU Resource Nexus in Dresden.
Applications are open until 31 October 2026.
The ABCD-Centre is 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.
The Centre brings together international expertise to address global challenges surrounding water security and climate adaptation.
Its research is organised into three interconnected clusters. These focus on water security and water resources management; ecosystem resilience and nature-based adaptation; and strategies for transferring climate adaptation solutions through traditional knowledge, local economies and societal acceptance.
Through the Future Environmental Leaders Scholarships, the Centre aims to support doctoral researchers whose work can contribute to practical solutions and help translate scientific findings into policy and real-world applications.
Who Is Eligible?
The scholarship is specifically intended for doctoral students from developing countries.
Applicants must have:
- Started their PhD within the last three years.
- Be registered as full-time doctoral students at a university in a developing country.
- Have a research topic aligned with the ABCD-Centre’s research priorities.
- Demonstrate strong academic merit and motivation to contribute to their field.
- Have the ability to communicate effectively in English.
- Demonstrate adaptability and readiness to conduct research in Germany.
Applicants are encouraged to spend the full nine-month period in Germany, and preference will be given to candidates interested in translating their research findings into policy papers.
Host Institutions in Germany
Successful applicants can indicate their preferred host institution when applying.
The available research destinations are:
RWTH Aachen University
Based in Aachen, RWTH Aachen University is one of the host institutions participating in the ABCD-Centre. Researchers selected for this option will undertake their approved research project within the relevant academic environment.
Technische Universität Dresden
Applicants may also select TU Dresden as their preferred host university. The university provides another opportunity for doctoral researchers to undertake international research and collaborate with specialists in Germany.
UNU Resource Nexus
The third option is UNU Resource Nexus, the United Nations University institute based in Dresden. Its work is closely connected to resource management and sustainable development.
Applicants should identify their preferred host institution as part of the application.
Priority Research Areas
The scholarship welcomes proposals from diverse environmental research fields. However, priority will be given to projects addressing five specific areas.
Topic A: Water infrastructure and digitalisation
This includes modelling water infrastructure, innovative digitalisation methods, digital twins and habitat modelling.
Topic B: Ecosystem resilience
Research can focus on innovative monitoring approaches for ecosystem resilience and nature-based adaptation measures.
Topic C: Urban water extremes
Projects examining climate-driven water extremes in urban environments are also prioritised.
Topic D: Unconventional water resources
Applicants can explore sustainable business models for unconventional water resources.
Topic E: Sustainable materials and buildings
The programme also prioritises research into eco-friendly materials and sustainable building solutions that support climate adaptation.
Scholarship Benefits
The ABCD Future Environmental Leaders Scholarships 2027 provide financial support for the nine-month research stay.
The scholarship package includes:
- €1,200 per month for accommodation and living expenses.
- Up to €105 per month as an insurance allowance.
- Up to €1,000 as a one-time travel grant.
- Up to €1,000 for research materials and equipment, allocated through the host institution.
This combination of financial support is intended to help doctoral students undertake their research in Germany while reducing some of the costs associated with international academic mobility.
Application Requirements
Applicants must compile their documents into a single PDF file and submit it by email to the ABCD-Centre.
The application should include a 2–3 page personal motivation statement, a sample of a written scientific paper and a recent CV.
Applicants must also indicate their preferred host university and provide a support letter from their home institution. An invitation letter from a prospective host scientist is preferably included where possible.
Other required documents include a statement confirming the applicant’s ability to work online if remote work becomes necessary, an enrolment certificate, a current transcript of records that is not older than six months, and a passport copy.
Before applying, the applicant’s supervisor and home university must also agree on the research topic, the overall doctoral project timeline, the research to be undertaken in Germany and plans for future externally funded research. Applicants should also outline their anticipated contribution to ABCD-Centre outreach activities.
Selection Process
Selection will be based on academic merit, motivation and the quality of the proposed research.
The ABCD-Centre Steering Committee will oversee the selection process, with equal opportunities and diversity emphasised.
Successful scholars will be expected to submit a scholarship and experience report three months before the scholarship ends. They must also produce a scientific draft paper based on research conducted during their stay.
Application Deadline
The deadline for the ABCD Future Environmental Leaders Scholarships 2027 is 31 October 2026.
Interested doctoral candidates should prepare their application materials carefully and submit the complete PDF application by email before the deadline.
Key Details
Scholarship: ABCD Future Environmental Leaders Scholarships 2027
Target group: PhD students from developing countries
Number of scholarships: Two
Research stay: 1 March–30 November 2027
Duration: 9 months
Host institutions: RWTH Aachen University, TU Dresden or UNU Resource Nexus
Monthly stipend: €1,200
Insurance allowance: Up to €105/month
Travel grant: Up to €1,000
Research support: Up to €1,000
Application deadline: 31 October 2026
Application format: Single PDF submitted by email
For doctoral researchers from the Global South, the scholarship provides an opportunity to gain international research experience, collaborate with researchers in Germany and develop work addressing urgent environmental and climate challenges. Candidates whose research aligns with the ABCD-Centre’s priorities are encouraged to prepare their applications well ahead of the 31 October 2026 deadline.
