The Global Water and Climate Adaptation Centre (ABCD-Centre) is inviting applications for the 2026 cohort of the ABCD Future Environmental Leaders Scholarships. This competitive program supports doctoral students from developing countries to conduct advanced climate adaptation and water research at leading institutions in Germany.
The ABCD-Centre is a strategic consortium established to address global challenges in water security and climate adaptation across multiple regions. It brings together:
RWTH Aachen University
Asian Institute of Technology (AIT)
Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras)
United Nations University – Institute for Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and Resources (UNU-FLORES)
Technische Universität Dresden (TU Dresden)
Research at the ABCD-Centre is organized into three thematic clusters:
Water Security and Water Resources Management
Ecosystem Resilience and Nature-Based Adaptation
Transfer Strategies for Climate Adaptation and Local Knowledge Integration
The Centre trains future environmental leaders by supporting research that translates scientific findings into implementation and policy.
Two fully funded scholarships are available for the 2026 cycle. Each scholarship lasts nine months, with the research stay taking place in Germany from March 1, 2026, to November 30, 2026.
RWTH Aachen University
Technische Universität Dresden
UNU-FLORES in Dresden
Applicants must propose a research project aligned with the ABCD-Centre’s clusters. Priority will be given to proposals addressing:
A) Modelling Water Infrastructure and Digital Solutions
B) Innovative Monitoring for Ecosystem Resilience
C) Climate-Driven Water Extremes in Urban Areas
D) Sustainable Business Models for Unconventional Water Resources
E) Eco-Friendly Materials and Sustainable Building for Climate Adaptation
Applicants must:
Be citizens of a developing country
Be currently enrolled as full-time doctoral students
Have started their PhD no more than three years ago
Demonstrate English proficiency and a strong academic track record
Show readiness to reside in Germany for up to nine months
The ABCD Future Environmental Leaders Scholarship includes:
Monthly living and accommodation allowance: €1,200
Monthly health insurance allowance: up to €105
Travel stipend (one-time): up to €1,000
Research support funds: up to €1,000 for materials and equipment
Applicants must compile all documents into a single PDF and send it to
abcd-centre@rwth-aachen.de by November 15, 2025.
Personal motivation letter (2–3 pages)
Sample of a written scientific paper
Curriculum Vitae
Two recommendation letters from the home institution
Statement confirming ability to work online if needed
Enrollment certificate and transcript of records (issued within the last six months)
Passport copy
Additionally, supervisors and the home university must confirm:
Alignment of the research topic with ABCD clusters
A timeline for the full doctoral research project
A draft research plan for the stay in Germany
Willingness to support outreach and dissemination activities
Selection is carried out by the ABCD-Centre Steering Committee. Evaluation criteria include:
Academic excellence
Relevance and feasibility of the research proposal
Motivation and leadership potential
Contribution to climate adaptation solutions
Willingness to complete the full nine-month residency
Preference is given to candidates who intend to produce policy-relevant outputs and research with practical application.
A scholarship and experience report must be submitted three months before the end of the stay
DAAD and German Federal Foreign Office regulations apply
Contract signing with the host institution is mandatory upon acceptance
Applicants may consult DAAD or their International Office for logistical guidance
CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE AND APPLY
For inquiries and further clarification:
Email: abcd-centre@rwth-aachen.de
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