ABCD Future Environmental Leaders Scholarships 2026

Applications are currently being accepted for the ABCD Future Environmental Leaders Scholarships 2026, an initiative aimed at supporting doctoral students from developing countries who are conducting innovative research in environmental sciences. The programme offers two nine-month scholarships designed to promote academic collaboration and the practical application of research outcomes that address global environmental challenges.

Through this fellowship, participants will have the opportunity to carry out research at some of Germany’s top academic institutions, working closely with experts on cutting-edge topics in sustainability, resource management, and climate resilience.

The research placements are available at the following universities and institutes:

• RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
• Technische Universität Dresden, Germany
• UNU FLORES (United Nations University Institute for Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and Resources), Dresden, Germany

Applicants are encouraged to align their research with the thematic areas covered under the ABCD Centre Clusters I, II, and III. Although a broad range of research proposals will be considered, preference will be given to studies focusing on the following priority areas:

• Topic A: Modelling water infrastructure and innovative methods in digitalisation for habitat and system modelling
• Topic B: Ecosystem resilience and nature-based adaptation through innovative monitoring
• Topic C: Climate-related water extremes in urban environments
• Topic D: Sustainable business frameworks for unconventional water resources
• Topic E: Eco-friendly materials and sustainable construction techniques for climate adaptation

Benefits

• A monthly stipend of €1,200 to cover accommodation and living costs.
• A monthly insurance allowance of up to €105.
• A one-time travel grant of up to €1,000.
• Exposure to interdisciplinary research environments and mentorship opportunities with leading environmental experts.
• Access to research resources and collaboration platforms within the ABCD Centre network.

Eligibility

• Applicants must be doctoral students currently enrolled in a recognised university in a developing country.
• Candidates must have started their PhD studies within the last three years.
• The proposed research topic must correspond with one of the thematic areas of the ABCD Centre Clusters.
• Both the applicant and their home institution supervisor must agree on:
• A research topic aligned with the Centre’s clusters.
• A detailed timeline for the doctoral project.
• A clear outline of research activities to be undertaken in Germany.
• Planned contributions to the Centre’s outreach and knowledge dissemination initiatives.

Application

Applicants are expected to compile the following documents into a single PDF and send it via email to abcd-centre@rwth-aachen.de on or before 15 November 2025:

• A personal statement explaining the motivation for the research stay (2–3 pages).
• A sample of a written scientific paper.
• An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• Two recent letters of recommendation from the home institution relevant to the research project.
• A statement confirming the ability to work online, if remote participation is necessary.
• A valid enrolment certificate and academic transcript (issued within the last six months).
• A copy of the applicant’s passport.

For more information about the application process and programme details, visit the official ABCD Future Environmental Leaders Scholarships webpage.