The German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU) invites applications for its prestigious PhD Scholarship Programme for the 2025 fall intake. The programme is designed to support early-career scientists dedicated to advancing environmental protection and nature conservation research.
Benefits of the DBU PhD Scholarship
The DBU PhD Scholarship offers financial and professional support to highly motivated doctoral students pursuing innovative environmental research.
- Financial Benefits:
- Monthly Stipend: €1,600
- Material Allowance: €210 per month, with additional contributions possible in exceptional cases.
- Child Supplement: Extra financial support for scholars with children.
- Professional and Networking Opportunities:
- Personal supervision by DBU consultants.
- Opportunities to present research results and engage in interdisciplinary exchanges at DBU scholarship seminars.
- Participation in annual events such as the Summer Academy and Environmental Award Ceremony.
- Access to a vibrant alumni network via the Stipnet communication platform.
- Encouragement for temporary research stays abroad.
- Duration of Funding:
The scholarship is awarded for a maximum of 36 months (three years).
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Hold an above-average degree (minimum grade: “good” or “very good”; for law graduates, at least “fully satisfactory”).
- The doctoral project must be conducted predominantly at a German higher education institution and must not have started. Projects where the applicant has been working on the topic for more than a year post-graduation are ineligible.
- The research topic should address pressing environmental protection or nature conservation issues and offer sustainable solutions, with a focus on Germany or global challenges relevant to Germany.
- Proficiency in the German language is required, as all application documents must be submitted in German.
- Applications are welcome from all academic disciplines, including natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, humanities, economics, and law. Interdisciplinary research is highly encouraged.
Target Group
The programme targets highly qualified junior researchers pursuing doctoral theses that address critical environmental challenges. The research should contribute to sustainable development and align with the DBU’s goals of fostering a network of environmental experts across disciplines.
Number of Scholarships: Up to 50 scholarships are awarded annually to outstanding candidates.
Application Process
- Applications must be submitted via the DBU’s online platform https://www.dbu.de/en/promotion/doctoral-scholarships/.
- Complete applications, written in German, must include all required documents.
- Only one application per scientific supervisor or working group is allowed per round.
Application Deadline
The last date to apply for the DBU PhD Scholarship Programme for the 2025 fall intake is 15 June 2025.
