The Germany–CGIAR++ Science and Impact Hub is inviting applications for its 2026 PhD Research Scholarship, supporting researchers who want to pursue a PhD at a German university while contributing to ongoing CGIAR++ research programmes. The scholarship connects German universities with CGIAR++ research centres and provides opportunities for international, multidisciplinary research with practical development impact.
The Hub is seeking to support PhD candidates in the current call. Applicants must develop their research proposal jointly with a senior CGIAR++ scientist and a professor affiliated with a German university.
About the Organization
The Germany–CGIAR++ Science and Impact Hub brings together German research institutions and the international CGIAR++ system to strengthen research, training and policy solutions related to sustainable development. It is hosted by the Landscape Alliance’s CIFOR office in Bonn and operates in partnership with the Council for Tropical and Subtropical Agricultural Research (ATSAF).
The Hub is commissioned by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and is implemented by the Landscape Alliance’s CIFOR office in Bonn.
What areas of research are eligible?
Research can cover any scientific field relevant to CGIAR++ missions, provided that the proposed PhD project supports and adds value to an ongoing CGIAR++ programme or project. Fields can include:
- Agricultural sciences
- Environmental and climate research
- Biology
- Geography
- Forestry and agroforestry
- Sociology
- Economics
- Political sciences
- Law
- Veterinary medicine
- Marine biology
- Food systems and natural resource management
- Other related fields relevant to CGIAR++ research
The research should have an international character and contribute to an ongoing CGIAR++ research programme or project.
Application requirements:
- Applications are possible with an MSc degree in Agricultural Sciences or a related field (e.g. biology, geography, sociology, veterinary medicine, marine biology, forestry, political sciences, law, economics etc.) with an above average final grade. For non-European degrees, a ranking from the issuing university must be included.
- Candidates interested in applying for the scholarship must get in contact with a senior CGIAR++ Scientist and a professor affiliated to a German university to develop the scientific proposal together. Only applications from such “tridems” will be accepted.
- Candidates must be hosted by a CGIAR++ Center, attached to an ongoing CGIAR++ research activity, best in form of an international, multidisciplinary project. The envisaged PhD project must be complementary and provide an added value to the ongoing CGIAR++ research activity.
- Candidates must be jointly supervised by a CGIAR++ senior scientist and a professor affiliated to a German university.
- Candidates must enroll into a PhD study program at a German University but do not need to be German nationals. Applicants from CGIAR++ partner countries are welcome and we particularly encourage female students to apply.
In addition to you will need the following documents:
- Letter of motivation (signed by the applicant and max. 1 page)
- Curriculum vitae (in tabular form, signed and dated, max. 1 page
- Research proposal. Please use the provided template – Template download
- MSc certificate and transcript of academic records issued by the examination office
- TOEFL or IELTS certificate or other English proficiency certificate
Following documents have to be sent by the respective supervisors as one PDF by e-mail to hub@landscapealliance.org
- Letter of recommendation and supervision confirmation from a professor affiliated to a German university (University supervisor). Please use the provided template – Template download
- Letter of recommendation and supervision commitment from a CGIAR++ center scientist (CGIAR++ supervisor), stating the attachment to a CGIAR++ research program/project. Please use the provided template – Template download
- Hosting Agreement from the respective CGIAR++ center. Please use the provided template – Template download
In this current call, the Hub is seeking to support 10 PhD candidates.
