Are you pursuing a PhD and researching water security, climate adaptation or environmental sustainability? The ABCD Future Environmental Leaders Scholarships 2027 offer two doctoral students from developing countries an opportunity to spend nine months conducting research in Germany.

Organised by the Global Water and Climate Adaptation Centre (ABCD-Centre), the programme supports doctoral researchers whose work can contribute to practical solutions for water management, ecosystem resilience and climate adaptation.

Selected scholars receive €1,200 per month for accommodation and living expenses, an insurance allowance of up to €105 per month, and a one-time travel allowance of up to €1,000. The host institution may also allocate up to €1,000 for research materials and equipment.

The research stay will run from 1 March to 30 November 2027 at one of three participating research institutions in Germany. This is a research mobility scholarship for students already pursuing a PhD—not a scholarship to begin a new doctoral degree.

The Global Water and Climate Adaptation Centre brings together research and academic institutions in Aachen, Bangkok, Chennai and Dresden to address global challenges related to water security and climate adaptation.

The centre is a collaborative initiative involving RWTH Aachen University, the Asian Institute of Technology, IIT Madras, the United Nations University Institute for Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and Resources (UNU Resource Nexus), and Technische Universität Dresden.

Through the Future Environmental Leaders Scholarships, the centre supports doctoral researchers from developing countries who want to advance their research through an international research stay.

The programme is designed to help researchers strengthen their academic work, collaborate with host scientists and translate research findings into practical applications.

The scholarship provides substantial financial support, but applicants should not assume that every expense is covered.

The official call specifies monthly living support, an insurance allowance, travel assistance and possible research-material funding. However, these benefits have limits.

Before accepting an award, clarify the following:

• Whether the travel allowance will cover your complete journey to Germany.
• Whether the insurance allowance covers the required policy in full.
• Whether visa and residence-permit costs are reimbursed.
• Whether any accommodation deposit or other upfront expense must be paid personally.
• Whether your living expenses will exceed the €1,200 monthly allowance.

The official call does not clearly confirm full reimbursement of visa costs. Applicants should contact the programme for clarification before making financial commitments.

The call welcomes research across the centre’s water security and climate adaptation themes. Priority is given to projects addressing the following topics:

• Water infrastructure and digitalisation: Modelling water infrastructure, digital twins and habitat modelling.
• Ecosystem resilience: Innovative monitoring and nature-based adaptation measures.
• Climate-driven water extremes: Research on urban flooding, droughts and other water-related climate risks.
• Sustainable water business models: Economic models for unconventional water resources.
• Sustainable construction: Eco-friendly materials and building solutions for climate adaptation.

Your proposal should explain how the research will contribute to scientific understanding and practical solutions.

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