ABCD Future Environmental Leaders Scholarships 2027 | How to Apply
The Global Water and Climate Adaptation Centre, known as the ABCD-Centre, is offering two ABCD Future Environmental Leaders Scholarships for PhD students from developing countries to spend nine months doing research in Germany, from March 1 to November 30, 2027. The ABCD-Centre is a partnership between RWTH Aachen University, the Asian Institute of Technology, IIT Madras, UNU Resource Nexus and TU Dresden, and it works on water security and climate adaptation. Scholars can choose to be hosted at RWTH Aachen University, TU Dresden or UNU Resource Nexus in Dresden.
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Each scholar receives €1,200 a month for accommodation and living costs, up to €105 a month for insurance, up to €1,000 for travel and up to €1,000 for research materials. To apply, you must be a full-time PhD student at a university in a developing country who started your PhD within the last three years. The application is open now and closes on October 31, 2026.
ABCD Scholarship Summary
| Scholarship Name ⇒ | ABCD Future Environmental Leaders Scholarships 2027 |
| Host Country ⇒ | Germany |
| Study Level ⇒ | PhD |
| Benefits ⇒ | €1,200 per month for accommodation and living, up to €105 per month for insurance, up to €1,000 one-time travel stipend, and up to €1,000 for research materials and equipment |
| Funded By ⇒ | Global Water and Climate Adaptation Centre (ABCD-Centre), a partnership of RWTH Aachen University, Asian Institute of Technology, IIT Madras, UNU Resource Nexus and TU Dresden |
| Eligible Countries ⇒ | Developing countries (full-time PhD students registered at universities there) |
| Application Deadline ⇒ | October 31, 2026 |
What This Scholarship Is
This is not a full degree programme. It is a nine-month research stay for a PhD student who is already registered at a university back home. You carry out part of your doctoral research at a German host institution, then return to your home university.
The ABCD-Centre says its main goal is to train Future Environmental Leaders who can turn research findings into real solutions. Its work is split into three clusters:
- Cluster I: Water security, water resources management, secure water supply and water treatment
- Cluster II: Ecosystem resilience and nature-based adaptation measures
- Cluster III: Transfer strategies for climate adaptation, covering traditional knowledge, local economies and societal acceptance
Priority Research Topics
You can propose a project from any of the three clusters, but proposals on these themes get priority:
- Topic A: Modelling water infrastructure, digitalisation methods for digital twins, and 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
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ABCD Future Environmental Leaders Scholarships: Who Is Eligible
- You must be a doctoral student who started your PhD within the last three years
- You must be registered as a full-time PhD student at a university in a developing country
- Your English must be good, you must communicate well, and you must be able to adapt to research in Germany
What You Benefit
- €1,200 per month for accommodation and living expenses
- Up to €105 per month as insurance allowance
- A one-time travel stipend of up to €1,000
- Up to €1,000 for research materials and equipment, paid through the host institution
For the full nine months, that adds up to a maximum of €13,745 (€10,800 for living costs, €945 for insurance, €1,000 for travel and €1,000 for research materials). The scholarship “typically includes” these items, so the exact amounts may differ.
What You Must Submit
Combine everything into one PDF file and email it to [email protected] by October 31, 2026. The PDF must contain:
- Personal motivation for the research stay (2 to 3 pages)
- A sample of a written scientific paper
- Your recent CV
- Your preferred host university (RWTH Aachen University, TU Dresden or UNU Resource Nexus)
- A support letter from your home institution
- Preferably, an invitation letter from a host scientist
- A statement on your ability to work online, in case remote work is required
- An enrolment certificate and current transcript of records, not older than six months
- A copy of your passport
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Your supervisor and your home university must also agree on these points at the application stage:
- A research topic that fits the clusters’ themes
- A detailed timeline for your whole doctoral project
- A description of the research you will do in Germany, with a timetable and plans for future third-party funded research projects
- The contributions you plan to make to the ABCD-Centre’s outreach activities
ABCD Future Environmental Leaders Scholarships Application Process
- Check that you qualify. You must be a full-time PhD student at a university in a developing country, and you must have started your PhD within the last three years. If you are not sure your country counts, email [email protected] to confirm.
- Choose your host university from the three options: RWTH Aachen University, TU Dresden, or UNU Resource Nexus in Dresden.
- Pick a research topic that fits one of the three ABCD-Centre clusters. Proposals on Topics A to E get priority.
- Meet your supervisor and agree on four things: the research topic, a detailed timeline for your whole PhD, a description of the work you will do in Germany with a timetable and plans for future third-party funded projects, and the contributions you will make to the ABCD-Centre’s outreach activities.
- Ask your home institution for a support letter. Try also to get an invitation letter from a scientist at your chosen host university. It is preferred but not compulsory.
- Get your enrolment certificate and current transcript of records. Neither should be older than six months.
- Write your personal motivation for the research stay (2 to 3 pages), and prepare a sample of a written scientific paper, your recent CV, your passport copy, and a short statement on your ability to work online if remote work is needed.
- Put all the documents into one PDF file.
- Email the PDF to [email protected] on or before October 31, 2026.
Do not send the documents as separate attachments. The ABCD-Centre asks for a single PDF.
How Selection Works
The ABCD-Centre Steering Committee picks the winners based on academic merit, strong motivation to contribute to the field, and the quality of your research proposal. The centre says it values equal opportunities and diversity.
Preference goes to candidates who are willing to spend the full nine months in Germany and who are interested in turning their findings into policy papers.
Rules After You Win the ABCD Future Environmental Leaders Scholarships
- You must submit a scholarship and experience report three months before the scholarship ends
- You must submit a draft scientific paper from your research before the research stay ends. It can later grow into a publication
- You sign a contract with the host institution that sets out the terms and conduct
- DAAD and German Federal Foreign Office rules apply, along with those of the host institution
- The ABCD-Centre advises applicants to ask their local International Office and DAAD office about stay-related questions
Application Deadline
The deadline is October 31, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many scholarships are available?
Two scholarships are available for the 2027 call.
How long is the research stay?
Nine months, from March 1 to November 30, 2027.
Do I have to be a PhD student already?
Yes. You must have started your PhD within the last three years and be registered as a full-time PhD student at a university in a developing country.
Is this a full PhD scholarship in Germany?
No. It funds a nine-month research stay in Germany while you remain a PhD student at your home university.
Do I need an invitation letter from a German professor?
An invitation letter from a host scientist is preferred but not compulsory. The support letter from your home institution is required.
How do I send the application?
Put all documents in one PDF and email it to [email protected] by October 31, 2026.
Disclaimer: All scholarship details, deadlines, award values, and eligibility criteria in this post were verified from official sources as of October 2026. Information is subject to change without notice. Always confirm the latest details directly on the official ABCD-Centre website before submitting your application. ScholarWaka is not affiliated with the ABCD-Centre, RWTH Aachen University, TU Dresden or UNU Resource Nexus.
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