Fully Funded: DBU Doctoral Scholarships 2024/2025

This prestigious program targets highly motivated individuals from various disciplines (environmental science, engineering, social sciences, and more!) If you're dedicated to tackling pressing environmental challenges and your doctoral thesis aligns with Germany's sustainability goals, then this scholarship opportunity could be perfect for you. Keep reading to learn more about the DBU scholarship's financial benefits, development opportunities, and eligibility criteria.

DBU's goals:

• Uncover new knowledge and solutions: They want to fund research that helps us understand and solve environmental problems, and that protects nature.
• Support ambitious PhD students: They aim to help motivated students finish their PhDs in 3 years.
• Train environmental experts: They want to develop highly skilled scientists who can tackle environmental challenges.
• Connect environmental experts: They aim to build a network of professionals from different fields who can all work together on environmental issues.

Degree Level

PhD level programs at German universities.

Available Subjects

The following subjects are available to study under this scholarship program.

1. Natural Sciences
2. Environmental Science
3. Engineering
4. Social Sciences
5. Humanities
6. Economics
7. Law
8. Interdisciplinary Environmental Research

Benefits

Financial Support

• You'll get funding for up to 3 years (36 months).
• You'll receive a monthly allowance of €1,600 to cover your living expenses.
• There's an additional €210 per month for materials like books and research supplies, with the possibility of getting more funding if needed.
• You may also be eligible for a monthly child supplement and other types of support.

Support and Networking

• You'll be assigned DBU advisors who will provide you with personalized advice and guidance throughout your studies.
• You'll have opportunities to present your research findings, exchange ideas with other scholarship holders, and participate in field trips (one week per year).
• The program will help you organize your own conferences or workshops related to your field of study.
• You'll be invited to various DBU events, including the Summer Academy and the Environmental Award Ceremony, even after your scholarship ends.
• You'll have access to an online platform where you can connect and network with other scholarship holders and alumni.

Eligible Nationalities

German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU) Scholarships 2024 is open to students of all nationalities.

Eligibility Criteria

Who can apply?

• You can apply regardless of your field of study, including science, engineering, social sciences, humanities, law, and economics. They especially encourage projects that combine different areas of study to solve environmental issues.
• You should have a strong academic record (above average grades) and a passion for finding solutions to environmental problems or promoting sustainable development.

What are the application requirements?

• All application documents must be submitted in German, so you'll need to be proficient in the language.
• You can study abroad as part of your program, but your main research should be done at a German university.
• Make sure your application is complete and submitted before the deadline. Only one application per research group is allowed.
• This scholarship is for individual students, not universities.
• Don't submit a broad research topic that hasn't been discussed with the DBU beforehand.
• If your application is rejected, you can't apply again.

Basically, they're looking for:

• Students who want to solve environmental problems through their research.
• Students with strong academic backgrounds in any field.
• A clear and well-organized application.
• Research focused on environmental issues in Germany or global issues that affect Germany.
• Students who will be starting their PhD program at a German university (not more than 1 year of research after graduation).