Call for Applications: PhD and Junior Scientist Scholarships for next generation of researchers driving sustainable impact across food, land, and water systems

Ednah Carrick October 27, 2025

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Closing Date: 15 November 2025

Call for Applications: PhD and Junior Scientist Scholarships for next generation of researchers driving sustainable impact across food, land, and water systems.

CIFOR-ICRAF is pleased to announce the PhD and Junior Scientist Scholarships from the Germany–CGIAR++ Science and Impact Hub — where Germany’s research excellence meets CGIAR++’s global network to advance science for people and the planet.

Funded by Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and commissioned by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH through the Fund International Agricultural Research (FIA), this initiative supports the next generation of researchers driving sustainable impact across food, land, and water systems.

Overview

This project is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) commissioned by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) through the Fund International Agricultural Research (FIA). It functions as a platform connecting German scientific excellence with the international CGIAR⁺⁺ system – a global leader in agricultural research for sustainable development. Hosted at the CIFOR-ICRAF office in Bonn, and driven through a strong partnership with the Council for Tropical and Subtropical Agricultural Research (ATSAF), the Hub leverages decades of collaboration and innovation to foster new pathways for impactful research, training, and policy solutions.

Germany and the CGIAR⁺⁺ system share a long tradition of collaborating in development-oriented agricultural research. The Hub aims to further strengthen this partnership. It is embedded in the CGIAR Capacity Sharing Accelerator, where it creates mechanisms for a stronger engagement of German science – especially early-career researchers – in CGIAR⁺⁺ activities, and amplifies existing collaborations. The Hub’s mission is to strengthen ties between German universities, research institutions and CGIAR⁺⁺ centres worldwide.

Through joint PhD Academy and Junior Scientist programme, the platform supports and empowers the next generation of impact-oriented researchers, offering hands-on experience, mentorship and interdisciplinary training directly aligned with global development goals such as the SDGs, the Paris Climate Agreement, and other multilateral commitments.

PhD and Junior Scientist Scholarships Key features

Jointly supervised PhDs and junior scientists with international field experience
Capacity building modules and lecture series on impact-oriented and inclusive research
Alumni network, annual conferences, and consortium-building activities
Coordination and integration of German research with international CGIAR⁺⁺ operations

Welcome to the Germany–CGIAR Science and Impact Hub – where Germany’s research networks and CGIAR⁺⁺’s global reach converge to drive sustainable impact for people and planet.

Call for applications for the PhD and Junior Scientist program

Download the application documents below. The online application portal will open soon.