ABCD Future Environmental Leaders Scholarships 2026 | Fully Funded Research in Germany

If you are a doctoral student from a developing country with a strong interest in climate adaptation, water research, or environmental resilience, the ABCD Future Environmental Leaders Scholarships 2026 offer a timely and exciting opportunity. Applications are now open and will be accepted until 15 November 2025. The program supports a nine-month research stay in Germany, hosted at RWTH Aachen, TU Dresden, or UNU-FLORES, enabling scholars to engage deeply with cutting-edge research and policy work. Here's everything you need to know.

📌 Scholarship Summary

• Location: Germany (research stay at RWTH Aachen, TU Dresden, or UNU-FLORES, Dresden)

• Research Level: Doctoral (PhD) research stay – 9 months

• Target Group : Full-time PhD students from developing countries who began their PhD studies within the last three years

• Fields of Focus:

  • Water security and resources management

  • Ecosystem resilience and nature-based adaptation

  • Transfer strategies, local knowledge, and societal acceptance

• Number of Scholarships: Two awards for 2026

• Duration: 9 months (March 1 – November 30, 2026)

• Start Date: March 1, 2026

• Application Deadline: November 15, 2025

• Award Coverage:

  • Monthly living and accommodation stipend: €1,200

  • Monthly insurance allowance: up to €105

  • One-time travel stipend: up to €1,000

  • Research materials & equipment allowance: up to €1,000 through host institution

📘 Programme Overview

The Global Water & Climate Adaptation Centre – Aachen, Bangkok, Chennai, Dresden (ABCD-Centre) is a collaborative research initiative addressing water security and climate adaptation worldwide. It brings together leading institutions: RWTH Aachen University, Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras), Technische Universität Dresden, and the United Nations University Institute for Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and Resources (UNU-FLORES).

The ABCD-Centre’s research and training are structured around three thematic clusters:

1. Cluster I: Water Security, Water Resources Management, Safe Water Supply, and Water Treatment

2. Cluster II: Ecosystem Resilience and Nature-Based Adaptation Measures

3. Cluster III: Transfer Strategies for Climate Adaptation – Traditional Knowledge, Local Economies, and Societal Acceptance

The Future Environmental Leaders (FEL) Scholarships aim to empower doctoral students from developing countries to translate academic research into practical, policy-relevant solutions for climate adaptation.

Applicants are invited to propose research aligned with the ABCD clusters, especially in the following priority themes:

• Topic A: Modelling water infrastructure, innovative digitalization for digital twins, and habitat modelling

• Topic B: Innovative monitoring for ecosystem resilience and nature-based adaptation

• 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

Selected scholars will spend nine months in Germany (March–November 2026), conducting research at one of the partner institutions and contributing to ABCD’s outreach and interdisciplinary research network.

🎯 Benefits & What’s Covered

The ABCD Future Environmental Leaders Scholarship is a fully funded opportunity, covering the following:

• Monthly stipend: €1,200 for accommodation and living expenses

• Insurance allowance: up to €105 per month

• Travel support: one-time grant up to €1,000 for international travel

• Research funds: up to €1,000 for project materials and equipment

💫 Additional Non-Monetary Benefits

• Access to world-class laboratories, research facilities, and networks in Germany

• Integration into interdisciplinary ABCD research clusters

• Mentorship and collaboration with leading experts on water and climate adaptation

• Exposure to real-world policy application and international research exchange

• Opportunity to publish and contribute to adaptation outreach activities

Recipients must submit a mandatory scholarship and experience report three months before the end of their stay. DAAD and German Federal Foreign Office regulations apply.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet all the following requirements:

• Be a citizen of a developing country / Global South

• Be enrolled full-time in a PhD program at a university in a developing country

• Have started their PhD within the last three years

• Possess a strong academic background and a clearly defined research proposal

• Show proficiency in English and ability to collaborate internationally

• Be willing to reside in Germany for the full 9-month research period (March–November 2026)

• Have the support of their home institution and supervisor, including agreement on:

  • Research topic alignment with ABCD clusters

  • Detailed timeline and objectives of the PhD project

  • Description of research activities to be conducted in Germany

  • Planned contributions to ABCD outreach and research dissemination

🛠 Application Procedure

Applicants must compile all documents in a single PDF file and email it to abcd-centre@rwth-aachen.de by November 15, 2025.

🗂️ Required Documents

1. Motivation letter (2–3 pages) describing the research project and its relevance to ABCD themes

2. Sample of written scientific work (e.g., research paper or thesis section)

3. Curriculum Vitae (CV) highlighting academic and research experience

4. Two recent recommendation letters from home university or supervisors

5. Statement confirming ability to work online if remote collaboration is needed

6. Enrollment certificate and current transcript of records (issued within six months)

7. Copy of passport (photo page)

At the same time, the applicant’s supervisor and home university must provide confirmation of:

• Agreement on the research topic aligned with ABCD’s clusters

• Detailed PhD project timeline including the 9-month research stay

• Description of planned research activities in Germany

• Commitment to ABCD outreach and dissemination activities

🔎 Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed by the ABCD-Centre Steering Committee based on:

• Academic excellence and relevance of research topic

• Motivation and potential to contribute to climate adaptation solutions

• Quality and feasibility of the proposed research plan

• Willingness to spend the full nine months in Germany

• English proficiency and strong communication skills

• Institutional support and alignment with ABCD’s objectives

Preference is given to candidates who demonstrate leadership potential and an interest in translating research into actionable policies.

💡 Additional Information and Tips

• Begin early to coordinate with your home supervisor and institution for topic alignment and endorsement.

• Clearly link your proposed project to ABCD research clusters and ongoing global adaptation priorities.

• Ensure your research plan includes measurable outcomes and a clear timeline.

• Emphasize how your work contributes to local policy, sustainability, or community resilience.

• Obtain strong recommendation letters highlighting your research potential and motivation.

• Consult your university’s international office or DAAD office for visa and logistical assistance.

🌐 Resources

Download the PDF call document here

🔗 Official Link

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