The CGIAR++ Science and Impact Hub has announced its 2026 Call for Applications for PhD scholarships, offering an exciting opportunity for qualified graduates to pursue doctoral research at a German university while contributing to internationally recognised agricultural, environmental and sustainable development research initiatives.

The scholarship programme is designed to support outstanding candidates with a Master’s degree in Agricultural Sciences or a related discipline who wish to undertake research addressing critical global challenges, including food security, agricultural transformation, climate change, biodiversity conservation, sustainable land management and rural development.

The CGIAR++ Science and Impact Hub is an initiative that strengthens collaboration between CGIAR research centres and German universities to advance scientific research addressing global agricultural, environmental and development challenges.

The scholarship welcomes applicants holding a Master’s degree in Agricultural Sciences or a related academic discipline.

Relevant fields include:

• Agricultural Sciences.
• Biology.
• Geography.
• Sociology.
• Veterinary Medicine.
• Marine Biology.
• Forestry.
• Political Sciences.
• Law.
• Economics.

Applicants from other related disciplines may also be considered where their academic backgrounds align with the proposed research topic

Applications must be developed through a research partnership known as a tridem, involving three essential participants:

• The PhD Candidate: The applicant responsible for developing and undertaking the proposed doctoral research.
• The CGIAR++ Senior Scientist: A research specialist who will provide scientific supervision and connect the proposed research to an existing CGIAR++ research programme or project.
• The German University Professor: An academic supervisor affiliated with a German university who will provide doctoral supervision and support the candidate’s university-based research.

For the current application cycle, the CGIAR++  Science and Impact Hub intends to support 10 PhD candidates, providing an opportunity for talented researchers from Germany and other countries, particularly CGIAR++ partner countries, to participate in advanced international research.

The scholarship is open to qualified candidates who meet the following requirements:

• Hold a Master’s degree in Agricultural Sciences or a related discipline.
• Have obtained an above-average final academic grade.
• Develop a research proposal in collaboration with a senior CGIAR++ scientist and a German university professor.
• Secure a hosting arrangement with an eligible CGIAR++ research centre.
• Obtain confirmation of joint doctoral supervision.
• Be eligible to enrol in a PhD programme at a German university.
• Demonstrate sufficient English-language proficiency.

The initiative connects academic researchers with leading CGIAR++ scientists and German university professors, creating opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration, scientific innovation and practical research impact.

Applicants must prepare and submit the following documents:

• Letter of Motivation: A signed letter explaining the applicant’s academic background, research interests, professional objectives and motivation for pursuing doctoral studies through the CGIAR++ Science and Impact Hub. The letter must not exceed one page.
• Curriculum Vitae: A signed and dated CV presented in tabular format, with a maximum length of one page.
• Research Proposal: A detailed scientific research proposal prepared using the official template provided by the CGIAR++ Science and Impact Hub. The proposal should demonstrate the relevance of the research, its scientific contribution and its relationship to an ongoing CGIAR++ research activity.
• Master’s Degree Certificate and Academic Transcript: Applicants must provide their MSc certificate and official academic transcript issued by the relevant examination office.
• English-Language Proficiency Certificate: Applicants must submit a TOEFL, IELTS or another recognised English-language proficiency certificate.

In addition to the applicant’s documents, the two proposed supervisors and the hosting research centre must provide supporting documentation. These documents must be submitted together as one PDF file

The required documents include:

• University Supervisor Recommendation and Supervision Confirmation: A letter from a professor affiliated with a German university confirming academic supervision. The official template must be used.
• CGIAR++ Supervisor Recommendation and Supervision Commitment: A letter from a CGIAR++ centre scientist confirming the research supervision commitment and the proposed attachment to an existing CGIAR++ research programme or project.
• Hosting Agreement: An official hosting agreement issued by the relevant CGIAR++ research centre.

The respective supervisors are responsible for sending these documents as one consolidated PDF.

Application Deadline: 30 November 2026.

Click the link to learn more and to apply

https://hub.landscapealliance.org/phd-research-scholarship/application

Author

Paul Olayioye