Doctoral Scholarships of the DBU
Support for early-career researchers in environmental research at German universities. Monthly funding of €1,650 plus material resources and health insurance subsidies. Applications due by January 15 and June 15 each year.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
Promotion of qualified early-career researchers in applied environmental research and the establishment of an interdisciplinary network of environmental professionals to develop practical and sustainable solutions for current environmental issues.
Eligible expenses
- Monthly basic funding
- Material resources
- Health insurance subsidy
- Child allowance
Eligible to apply
- Individuals
Funding requirements
- Above-average university degree
- Good German language skills (at least level B2)
- Doctoral studies not yet started
- Doctoral project with a clear focus on environmental issues
- Submission by the respective application deadline
Documents required for application
- Curriculum vitae in tabular form
- Copies of university certificates
- Detailed description of the research project
- Statement from the supervising primary reviewer
- Second expert opinion
- Time and work schedule
- Proof of German language skills
Evaluation criteria
- Scientific quality of the project
- Relevance to current environmental issues
- Motivation and personality
- Interdisciplinarity
Description
The doctoral scholarships of the German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU) support outstanding early-career researchers from all disciplines who are implementing innovative research projects with a clear environmental focus in Germany. Each year, the DBU awards up to 60 scholarships for a duration of up to 36 months. Funding includes a monthly basic allowance of €1,650 as well as a flat-rate €150 for material costs, a health insurance subsidy of up to €150, and a child allowance. The intangible support comprises personal advice from DBU advisors, interdisciplinary annual seminars with excursions, and assistance with individual specialist colloquia. Through the online platform Stipnet, a vibrant network is created with former scholarship holders and experts from various disciplines. This network provides access to DBU events such as the presentation of the German Environmental Award and facilitates professional exchange between research, industry, and politics.
The scholarships are aimed at doctoral candidates at German universities who have an above-average university degree and good German language skills (at least B2). A prerequisite is that the project has not yet begun and makes a scientific contribution to solving current environmental issues. Application documents include a CV, copies of certificates, a detailed project description, a timeline and work plan, as well as statements from the primary reviewers and a second expert opinion. Submissions are made via the DBU online portal by January 15 and June 15 each year. A multi-stage selection process with external review and presentation interview ensures the selection of the most promising projects. The DBU doctoral scholarships enable researchers to promptly realize forward-looking environmental solutions within a motivating and interdisciplinary community.
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