Want to do a PhD that tackles food security, climate or agriculture in the Global South, with the backing of a German university and a world-leading agricultural research centre? The Germany-CGIAR++ Science and Impact Hub is offering 10 PhD scholarships for projects starting in March 2027. Scholars receive €1,800 a month for three years and can request up to €25,000 for research costs. German nationality isn’t required, and applicants from CGIAR partner countries are welcome. Applications close on 30 November 2026.
Scholarship at a Glance
- Funder: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), through GIZ
- Run by: Germany-CGIAR++ Science and Impact Hub (hosted at the Landscape Alliance’s CIFOR office in Bonn, with ATSAF e.V.)
- Level: PhD at a German university, with research hosted by a CGIAR++ centre
- Places: 10
- Stipend: €1,800 per month for 3 years (a 12-month extension is possible)
- Research grant: Up to €25,000
- Start: From 1 March 2027
- Deadline: 30 November 2026
What Is CGIAR++?
CGIAR is a global partnership of agricultural research centres working on food security, climate resilience and sustainable farming, with many centres and projects across Africa. “CGIAR++” adds two further partners: the World Vegetable Center and the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), which is based in Nairobi. The Hub links German universities with these centres so that PhD students can do research that has a direct development impact.
Benefits
- Monthly scholarship of €1,800 for three years
- Possible 12-month extension if your progress shows you can finish within that year
- Research grant of up to €25,000 for your PhD project
- A PhD from a German university, with joint supervision by a CGIAR++ scientist
- Fieldwork within a real CGIAR++ research programme or project
- Training: courses and seminars that German universities recognise as part of structured PhD programmes
Eligibility
- A master’s degree in agricultural sciences or a related field, with an above-average final grade. Related fields include biology, geography, environmental studies, forestry, marine biology, veterinary medicine, sociology, political science, law and economics.
- Two supervisors who have agreed to supervise you jointly:
- a professor at a German university
- a scientist at a CGIAR++ centre, with your research attached to an ongoing CGIAR++ programme or project
- Enrolment in a PhD programme at the German university
- English proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS or another recognised certificate)
German nationality is not required. Applicants from CGIAR++ partner countries are welcome, and women are especially encouraged to apply.
Required Documents
From you:
- A signed motivation letter (maximum one page)
- A signed and dated CV in table format (maximum one page)
- A research proposal using the official template
- Your master’s certificate and transcript
- Your English proficiency certificate
From your supervisors (sent directly):
- A recommendation and supervision confirmation from the German university professor
- A recommendation and supervision commitment from the CGIAR++ scientist, confirming the link to a CGIAR++ project
- A hosting agreement from the CGIAR++ centre
How Applications Are Scored
The selection committee scores applications out of 5,900 points:
| Area | Points | What is assessed |
|---|---|---|
| The candidate | 2,200 | Master’s grade, motivation, international experience, recommendations and prior development or SDG-related work |
| The supervision team | 1,200 | How genuinely the proposal was co-developed, the supervisors’ standing, and the hosting project’s capacity |
| The proposal | 2,500 | Scientific quality, SDG focus, link to the hosting project, methods, timeline, impact, gender considerations and budget |
Each supervisor can support at most two candidates.
Tips for a Strong Application
- Find your CGIAR++ project first. Look at CGIAR centres working in your region and field, then approach a scientist whose project your PhD could support.
- Build the supervision team early. You need both supervisors on board, plus a hosting agreement, before the deadline, and that takes weeks of emails.
- Co-develop the proposal. Reviewers reward proposals that were clearly built together with both supervisors, so share drafts with them.
- Show development impact. Link your research to specific SDGs and explain who will benefit.
- Address gender. The proposal is assessed on how it deals with gender considerations.
How to Apply
- Download the official call, proposal template and supervisor letter templates from the Hub’s application page.
- Secure a German university supervisor and a CGIAR++ supervisor, and the centre’s hosting agreement.
- Prepare your documents and submit them through the Hub’s online application portal.
- Make sure your supervisors send their letters and the hosting agreement before 30 November 2026.
Apply for the Germany-CGIAR++ Hub PhD Scholarship 2027
