German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU): PhD Scholarship Programme

About the German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU): PhD Scholarship Programme

PhD Scholarship Programme is a funded scholarship offered by German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU) in Germany. It is aimed at PhD level applicants. A scholarship of this kind helps with the cost of study, and competition is usually strong, so a complete and well-prepared application matters. The closing date is confirmed on the official page, so check it before you start and plan to submit well ahead of it.

Who Runs the Programme

German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU) runs this scholarship. The scholarship is based in Germany. The provider sets the selection criteria, receives the applications and decides who is chosen, so questions about the process are best put to them directly. Always rely on the provider’s own page for the latest rules and dates.

Study Level and Eligible Fields

The programme is open at PhD level. That means it supports doctoral research, so you will normally need to show you have completed, or are about to complete, the qualification below that level. Applications are open to all subject areas, so your field of study is unlikely to rule you out.

How Many Awards Are Offered

up to 50 scholarships per year. The number of awards can change from one round to the next, so confirm the current figure with the provider. Programmes of this kind are usually selective, so a complete and well-prepared application gives you the best chance of being chosen.

Who Can Apply

Applicants from most countries worldwide can apply. African countries covered include Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia and 31 more. Being from an eligible country is only the first check, because the requirements below still apply to every applicant.

Funding and Benefits

This scholarship comes with funding from the provider. Duration: The maximum funding covers a period of 3 years.. Exact benefits can change by round, so confirm them with the provider. Check the official page to see which costs are covered, such as fees, living costs or travel. Before you accept an offer, confirm what is and is not covered and whether any costs fall to you.

Eligibility Requirements

You are expected to meet the following at minimum. Meeting all of them is normally a condition of being considered, so go through each point honestly before you start.

• Study level: PhD.
• highly qualified junior researchers carrying out doctoral theses which clearly address relevant environmental protection or nature conservation issues and whose work contributes to developing solutions for these challenges. Topics with international relevance are welcome, but the work must be carried out predominantly in Germany and there must be a clear reference to the environmental situation in Germany or to global environmental tasks. Temporary research stays abroad during the doctoral phase are possible and encouraged.
• academics qualified for doctoral studies and with an above-average degree (overall grade at least good or very good; law: at least fully satisfactory) The doctoral studies will take place at a German university and have not yet started. (A project that has been started is not eligible if applicants have scientifically dealt with the doctoral topic for more than 1 year since graduating from university.) Applications are welcome from all disciplines, i.e. not only from the natural and engineering sciences but also from the social sciences, humanities, economics and law. Interdisciplinary environmental research is especially encouraged.

The full requirements are on the official page.

Application Process

Apply directly with the provider, and be careful with anyone who asks for payment to submit an application for you. The steps below are the usual order of work.

1. Open the official application page.
2. Check that your nationality, study level and field are covered.
3. Prepare the documents the provider asks for.
4. Submit as early as you can and keep your confirmation.

Keep copies of everything you submit and note any reference number you are given. If something in the instructions is unclear, ask the provider rather than guessing.

Official Website

Apply and read the full details at the official page: German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU): PhD Scholarship Programme. Use it for the latest dates and requirements, and check back from time to time, since providers can update details between rounds.