Germany, Scholarships

🎓 CIFOR-ICRAF PhD & JSP Scholarship 2027 Germany — Fully Funded for International Students (Complete Guide)

Gradualin

May 11, 2026
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If you are passionate about forests, agroforestry, food security, or climate change — and you want to do your PhD or research internship in Germany while working with some of the world’s top agricultural research institutions — this opportunity was made for you.

The Germany CGIAR++ Science and Impact Hub, hosted by CIFOR-ICRAF, offers two distinct fully funded scholarships every year: the PhD Research Scholarship and the Junior Scientist Program (JSP) Scholarship. Both are open to international students from any country, are funded through a German government partnership, and place you right at the intersection of world-class science and real-world development impact.

The 2026 deadline has now closed, but the next call opens in January 2027 — and Gradualin has built this complete guide so you are ready to apply the moment it does.

📋 Quick Summary Table

Detail	Information
Organization	CIFOR-ICRAF / Germany CGIAR++ Science and Impact Hub
Country	Germany 🇩🇪 (with international field research)
Scholarship Types	PhD Research Scholarship + JSP Internship Scholarship
Degree Level	PhD (3 years) / MSc-level Internship (6 months)
Monthly Funding (PhD)	€1,800/month for 3 years (+ possible 12-month extension)
Research Grant (PhD)	Up to €25,000 additional research grant
JSP Total Stipend	€6,000 for 6 months
Number of Awards	10 PhD scholarships + 15 JSP scholarships per year
Open To	International students worldwide
Next Deadline	January 2027 (verify at official site)
Official Website	hub.cifor-icraf.org

🎓 About CIFOR-ICRAF and the Germany Hub — Why This Matters

CIFOR-ICRAF — the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry — is one of the most respected research organizations on the planet when it comes to trees, forests, climate, and food systems. It operates as part of the CGIAR network, the world’s largest publicly funded agricultural research consortium, with centers spanning Africa, Asia, Latin America, and beyond.

The Germany CGIAR++ Science and Impact Hub is a joint initiative funded through German development partnerships — designed specifically to connect the next generation of researchers at German universities with hands-on international research experience inside CGIAR++ centers worldwide.

What makes this program genuinely unique is its mission. This is not just academic research for the sake of publications. Every project funded here must contribute to ongoing, active CGIAR++ programs — meaning your PhD or internship research directly feeds into efforts addressing biodiversity loss, climate change, food security, and global inequality. Your research matters from day one.

The Hub awards 10 PhD scholarships and 15 JSP scholarships annually — a relatively small, highly selective cohort, which means every scholar receives personalized mentorship and real institutional support.

🎓 Scholarship 1: The PhD Research Scholarship — Benefits & Funding

This is the flagship offering of the Hub, and its funding package is genuinely exceptional for a development-focused research scholarship.

Here is exactly what you receive:

💰 Monthly Scholarship: €1,800 per month for a period of three years (approximately €2,000 USD/month)
⏳ Possible Extension: A 12-month extension is available if your PhD project shows strong progress
🔬 Research Grant: Up to €25,000 additional grant to cover fieldwork, lab costs, and project-specific expenses — requested separately
🎓 Scientific Support Program: Access to courses, seminars, and training workshops recognized within German university structured PhD programs
🌍 International Research Experience: Field research conducted across active CGIAR++ project sites globally
🤝 Dual Mentorship: Joint supervision from both a senior CGIAR++ scientist and a professor at a German university

To put this in context: €1,800/month in Germany, paired with a €25,000 research grant, gives you a funding package worth approximately €89,600 over three years — making this one of the most generously supported research fellowships available in the development science space.

🎓 Scholarship 2: The Junior Scientist Program (JSP) — Benefits & Funding

The JSP Scholarship is designed for students currently enrolled in — or recently completed — a Master’s degree program at a German university. It offers a 6-month fully funded research internship at a CGIAR++ center anywhere in the world.

What you receive:

💰 Total Stipend: €6,000 for the full 6-month period (~€1,000/month)
📊 Data Collection Opportunity: Supports MSc thesis research abroad
🌐 Networking & Training Platform: Inception trainings, webinars, and peer forums
🏛️ Administrative Support: The Hub handles logistics and coordination
🌍 Global Placement: Hosted at a CGIAR++ center in Africa, Asia, Latin America, or the Middle East

The JSP is a perfect stepping stone for students who want to experience international development research before committing to a full PhD — and many JSP alumni return as PhD scholars.

🎓 Eligibility Criteria

For the PhD Scholarship:

✅ MSc degree in Agricultural Sciences or a related field: biology, geography, sociology, veterinary medicine, marine biology, forestry, political sciences, law, economics, etc.
✅ Above average final grade — for non-European degrees, a ranking certificate from your issuing university is required
✅ Open to nationals from ANY country — you do not need to be German or European
✅ Must form a “tridem” — you, a senior CGIAR++ scientist, and a professor at a German university must all agree to collaborate before applying
✅ Must be enrolled in (or planning to enroll in) a PhD program at a German university
✅ Must be hosted by a CGIAR++ center and attached to an active CGIAR++ research project
✅ Female applicants and students from CGIAR++ partner countries are especially encouraged to apply
✅ English proficiency required — an MSc degree taught in English is accepted as proof; formal IELTS/TOEFL may not be required for the Hub application itself (check university-specific requirements separately)

For the JSP Scholarship:

✅ Enrolled in an MSc program in agricultural sciences or a related field at a German university (or recently completed MSc, not enrolled in a PhD)
✅ Very good command of English (additional languages like French, Spanish, or Arabic are advantageous for certain placements)
✅ Confirmation of hosting from a CGIAR++ center with an identified supervisor
✅ Recommendation from a supervisor at a German university
✅ Willingness to spend at least 6 months abroad at a CGIAR++ center or field site
✅ Female students and students from CGIAR++ partner countries are particularly encouraged

🎓 Who Should Apply — And Who Should Not

✅ Apply if you:

Hold an MSc (or are completing one) in agriculture, environmental science, forestry, biology, social sciences, or a related field
Have a specific research idea that aligns with an active CGIAR++ project
Are affiliated with — or can establish a connection to — a German university
Are genuinely interested in development-oriented, impact-first research
Want dual mentorship: the best of German academic rigor combined with international field experience
Are a female researcher or from a CGIAR++ partner country in the Global South

❌ Don’t apply if you:

Do not have an MSc degree or equivalent in a relevant field
Cannot identify or contact a CGIAR++ scientist and a German university professor to form the required “tridem” team
Want to conduct research exclusively within Germany with no international field component
Are already enrolled in a PhD program and looking for top-up funding only (this scholarship funds the full PhD journey)

🎓 Eligible Fields & CGIAR++ Research Centers

Research supported through this Hub covers any scientific field relevant to the CGIAR++ missions. That includes — but is not limited to:

Fields: Agricultural sciences, forestry, agroforestry, ecology, molecular biology, marine biology, food systems, water management, climate adaptation, veterinary medicine, sociology, political science, law, economics, and interdisciplinary development research.

Eligible CGIAR++ Hosting Centers include:

🌱 CIFOR-ICRAF — Trees, forests, and agroforestry (Bogor, Indonesia / Nairobi, Kenya)
🌾 CIMMYT — Maize and wheat research (Mexico City, Mexico)
🐟 WorldFish — Fisheries and aquaculture (Penang, Malaysia)
🌿 IITA — Tropical agriculture (Ibadan, Nigeria)
🌊 IWMI — Water management in agriculture (Colombo, Sri Lanka)
🐄 ILRI — Livestock and food security (Nairobi, Kenya)
🌾 IRRI — Rice research (Los Baños, Philippines)
🥔 CIP — Potato and root crops (Lima, Peru)
🦟 icipe — Insect science and entomology (Nairobi, Kenya)
And many more — full list at cgiar.org

Field research must have an international character and can take place in any region where CGIAR++ programs are active — which spans virtually every continent.

🎓 Required Documents

For the PhD Scholarship Application:

Submitted by the Candidate:

Letter of Motivation — signed by applicant, maximum 1 page
Curriculum Vitae — tabular form, signed and dated, maximum 1 page
Research Proposal — using the Hub’s official template (download from hub.cifor-icraf.org)
MSc Certificate and Transcripts — issued by the examination office
English Proficiency Certificate — TOEFL, IELTS, or alternative proof (e.g., MSc degree taught in English)

Submitted by Supervisors (as one combined PDF to hub@cifor-icraf.org): 6. Letter of Recommendation from the German university professor (using Hub template) 7. Letter of Recommendation from the CGIAR++ senior scientist (using Hub template) 8. Hosting Agreement from the CGIAR++ center (using Hub template)

For the JSP Scholarship Application:

Motivation letter
CV
Research proposal
Enrollment certificate or proof of German university connection
Hosting confirmation from CGIAR++ center
Supervision confirmation from German university supervisor

🎓 Step-by-Step Application Process

Here is exactly how to approach this — step by step:

Identify your research focus — think about what CGIAR++ challenge your research can address (forests, food, water, climate, biodiversity, etc.)
Find a CGIAR++ Scientist at a relevant hosting center whose work aligns with your proposed research — browse the CGIAR++ center websites and reach out directly
Find a Professor at a German University in your field — approach faculty at institutions like the University of Hohenheim, Bonn, Göttingen, or other agricultural-focused German universities
Form your “tridem” — get both supervisors to agree on a joint research proposal before proceeding
Develop your research proposal using the official Hub template available at hub.cifor-icraf.org
Prepare and compile all documents — motivation letter, CV, transcripts, and English proof
Submit your application online through the Hub’s application system before the announced deadline
Supervisors submit their letters as one combined PDF directly to hub@cifor-icraf.org
Evaluation — applications are assessed on candidate quality, research relevance, supervision expertise, and contribution to CGIAR++ programs
Await decision — successful candidates are notified and onboarded into the Hub’s scientific support program

Pro tip from Gradualin: Do not wait for the deadline to find supervisors. Reaching out to CGIAR++ scientists and German professors takes time — start your outreach at least 3–4 months before the application window opens.

🎓 Important Dates

Event	Date
2026 Call for Applications	CLOSED
Next Application Deadline	January 2027 (verify at official site)
Annual PhD Scholarships Awarded	10 per year
Annual JSP Scholarships Awarded	15 per year
Scholarship Duration (PhD)	3 years (+ possible 12-month extension)
Scholarship Duration (JSP)	6 months

📌 Bookmark this page and visit hub.cifor-icraf.org/academy/current-deadlines regularly for updates on the 2027 call opening.

🎓 Why Apply — Why This Scholarship, Why Germany

Here is what makes the CIFOR-ICRAF Hub scholarship genuinely different from most other research fellowships.

Your research has real-world stakes. Every PhD project funded through this Hub must align with and contribute to active CGIAR++ programs — research portfolios tackling climate change, food insecurity, and biodiversity loss at a global scale. This is not a thesis in a vacuum. Your findings can influence policy, reshape land management practices, and improve lives in communities across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Germany is one of the best countries in the world for research. German universities — especially agricultural sciences institutions like Hohenheim, Bonn, and Göttingen — combine rigorous methodology with strong international networks. A PhD from a German university opens doors globally, in academia, international development organizations, and the private sector.

The dual mentorship model is rare. Being jointly supervised by both a leading CGIAR++ scientist and a German university professor gives you two distinct professional networks, two types of expertise, and two recommendation letters that carry real international weight.

The €25,000 research grant is exceptional. Most research fellowships provide stipends but leave scholars scrambling for fieldwork funding. The Hub’s optional research grant means you can actually do the international fieldwork your research demands.

And if you are a researcher from the Global South — particularly from a CGIAR++ partner country — this program is actively structured to include you. Female applicants are specifically encouraged at every level.

🎓 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Do I need to be German or European to apply? A: No. Nationals from any country are eligible for both the PhD and JSP scholarships. For the PhD scholarship, non-European degree holders must include a ranking certificate from their university. For the JSP, you must demonstrate a connection to a German university.

Q: Is IELTS or TOEFL required? A: For the Hub application itself, an MSc degree taught in English is accepted as sufficient proof of English proficiency. However, your enrolled German university may have additional language requirements — check with your university supervisor for guidance.

Q: Can I apply without already knowing a CGIAR++ scientist or German professor? A: The Hub does not facilitate these connections for you. You must identify and reach out to your own supervisors independently. Only applications from “tridems” (candidate + CGIAR++ scientist + German university professor) will be accepted. Start building these connections early.

Q: How many scholarships are awarded each year? A: The Hub awards 10 PhD scholarships and 15 JSP scholarships annually.

Q: Can I work part-time while holding the PhD scholarship? A: Yes, but with restrictions. The scholarship is a full-time commitment. However, part-time work of up to 10 hours per week is permitted, provided it does not interfere with your PhD progress. This is reviewed regularly.

Q: Where will my field research take place? A: Field research can take place in any region where CGIAR++ programs are active — which includes countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America. PhD scholars are expected to split their time between Germany and the CGIAR++ hosting center/field site, with a minimum of roughly one-third of the scholarship period in each location.

🎓 Official Links & Contact

🌐 Hub Homepage: https://hub.cifor-icraf.org
📋 PhD Scholarship Info: https://hub.cifor-icraf.org/phd-research-scholarship/about-phd-research-scholarship
📋 JSP Scholarship Info: https://hub.cifor-icraf.org/jsp-scholarship/about-jsp-scholarship
📅 Current Deadlines: https://hub.cifor-icraf.org/academy/current-deadlines
❓ FAQ Page: https://hub.cifor-icraf.org/academy/faq
📧 Contact Email: hub@cifor-icraf.org

🎓 Complete Summary Table

Detail	PhD Scholarship	JSP Scholarship
Duration	3 years (+ 12-month extension possible)	6 months
Monthly Funding	€1,800/month	~€1,000/month (€6,000 total)
Research Grant	Up to €25,000	Not applicable
Eligibility	MSc degree (any country)	MSc student at German university
Awards Per Year	10 scholarships	15 scholarships
Supervision	Dual: CGIAR++ scientist + German professor	German supervisor + CGIAR++ host
Field Research	International (CGIAR++ regions)	At CGIAR++ center (min. 6 months)
Open To	All nationalities	Connection to German university required
Next Deadline	January 2027	January 2027 (verify officially)
IELTS Required?	Not mandatory for Hub (MSc in English accepted)	Not mandatory for Hub