If your doctoral research is driven by real environmental impact—and you want to pursue it in Germany—this opportunity deserves your immediate attention. The German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU) PhD Scholarship 2026 supports outstanding young researchers whose work tackles urgent environmental protection and nature conservation challenges. With the deadline approaching on 15 January 2026, this is the moment to act if your research vision aligns with sustainability and applied environmental science.

DBU PhD Scholarship 2026 by DAAD is for you if you aim to conduct a PhD at a German university, contribute practical solutions to environmental problems, and become part of an interdisciplinary network shaping sustainable futures. While topics may have international relevance, your research must be carried out predominantly in Germany and show a clear link to Germany’s environmental context or global environmental challenges.

What This Scholarship Offers You

The DAAD DBU PhD Scholarship 2026 is designed to give you financial stability while you focus on producing meaningful environmental research. You receive a monthly base stipend of EUR 1,650, along with a fixed allowance of EUR 150 per month to support research materials and travel. Additional contributions toward material expenses may be available depending on project needs, and a health insurance subsidy of up to EUR 150 per month is also provided. Fellows with children can access extra support. The funding can extend for up to three years, covering the core duration of your doctoral research.

Who Can Apply for the DAAD DBU PhD Scholarship 2026?

You can apply for the German Federal Environmental Foundation PhD Scholarship 2026 if you are academically qualified for doctoral studies and hold an above-average university degree. Your PhD must be conducted at a German university, and your doctoral project should not yet have started or must have been worked on for less than one year after graduation. Your research must clearly address environmental protection or nature conservation and demonstrate practical relevance. You need a minimum German language level of B2. Both German and international applicants admitted to postgraduate studies in Germany are eligible to apply.

How to Apply For German Federal Environmental Foundation PhD Scholarship 2026 

The application process focuses on how clearly you present the environmental relevance and feasibility of your doctoral project. You prepare a detailed application highlighting your academic excellence, applied research question, and the impact of your work within the German environmental context. You submit the applications through the official DAAD scholarship database, which hosts the complete DBU listing and application instructions. Given the competitive nature of the program, early preparation allows you to refine your proposal and ensure alignment with DBU’s sustainability priorities.

Key Details at a Glance

Detail	Information
Program Name	German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU) PhD Scholarship 2026
Host Country	Germany
Degree Level	PhD
Funding Duration	Up to 3 years
Monthly Stipend	1,650 EUR
Additional Allowance	150 EUR/month (materials & travel)
Eligible Fields	Applied Environmental Sciences & Interdisciplinary Topics
Language Requirement	German (minimum B2)
Number of Awards	Up to 50
Application Deadline	15 January 2026

Given the competitive nature of the program—up to 50 scholarships only—early and careful preparation is essential. If your PhD research aims to protect the environment and deliver sustainable solutions, don’t wait. Prepare your application now and submit it before 15 January 2026 through the official DAAD listing. Opportunities like this don’t stay open for long.

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