Germany- DBU Doctoral Scholarships in Environmental Protection

German Federal Foundation for the Environment (DBU), Germany

DBU Awards scholarships to support young scientists. Entitled to apply are highly qualified young scientists who work on research subjects with a clear relation to current environmental issues and contribute to solving these issues through their work. 60 doctoral scholarships are awarded every year.

Foreign applicants must demonstrate, among other things, a good command of German. The scholarship amount is 850.- euros a month, and is paid for a maximum of three years. In addition to the grant, a monthly allowance of 150 euros is paid for material and travel expenses. Further funds can be granted on application.

Eligibility

Eligible to apply are graduates of higher education institutions with above average examination results up to a maximum age of 28. Sponsorship is offered for research projects in the field of environmental protection. This applies to projects in all scientific disciplines, insofar as they are of high current relevance and contribute to solving problems in environmental protection and conservation. Particularly welcome are interdisciplinary topics that support sustainable development.

Academic Requirements
Scientists entitled to participate in doctoral studies and with above-average degree (overall grade good or very good; Law: at least fully satisfactory).

These doctoral scholarships are limited to a maximum of three years. Doctorates that are already underway at the time of application will not be sponsored.

Scholarships Value
The scholarship amount is 850 euros a month. In addition to the scholarship, a monthly allowance of 150 euros is provided for material and travel expenses. Material expenses exceeding this sum will only be granted in exceptional cases. Married persons whose spouse has no (taxable) income of his or her own are granted a family allowance of 255.- euros a month. In other cases, for example if the scholarship holder has a child to support, family allowance may also be granted. This will be decided by the foundation on application depending on the individual situation. DBU scholarships are not subject to social insurance contributions. Along with material sponsorship, applicants are also offered immaterial support.

Application Requirements

• Doctoral studies should not have begun yet.

• Maximum age is 28 years. Applicants who demonstrate, for example, adult education or time spent raising children, but completed their academic studies in a short time, are exempt from this age limit.

• Institutional sponsorship is excluded, as is focussing applications on a larger group of topics (concentration of individual applications) if this has not been agreed with the DBU.

• The thesis must mainly be produced in Germany and must bear a clear relevance to the environmental situation in Germany.

• Foreign applicants are expected to have a good command of German.

• Above-average degree and high current relevance of the subject of the doctorate.

• Environmental research topics that meet the above-mentioned criteria, i.e. besides natural and engineering sciences applications will also be accepted in the fields of social sciences, humanities, economics and law. Particularly welcome are interdisciplinary topics that support sustainable development.

• Plausible work plan and schedule that, together with a statement from the academic supervisor, demonstrate that the thesis can be completed within a period of up to three years.

• The scientific higher education institution or extramural research institution where the research is carried out must be active in the Federal Republic of Germany.

• Contact to the working group of the future supervisor.

• Submission of a written declaration from the academic supervisor stating that the candidate is known to the supervisor and his or her degree is equivalent to at least an above-average German degree, and that the supervisor will support the candidate’s doctoral work at his or her higher education institution.

• Additionally, submission of the formal admission to the doctorate at the respective higher education institution after review by the respective higher education boards.

Application Papers
Applicants can register on the foundation’s website; they will then receive their access data (user name and password) by e-mail, allowing them to apply online. The BDU has also made a PDF file available on its website containing lots of useful information.

Application Deadline
Closing dates for applications are 15th February and 15th August of each year.

Main Contact

German Federal Foundation for the Environment (DBU)

Herr Dr. Jan-Peter Lay
Address:
Post office box:17 05
49007 Osnabrück

Phone: 0541 / 96 33-0
or
Phone: 0541 / 9633 - 352
Fax: 05 41 / 96 33-193

Website: http://www.dbu.de/stipendien_international