If you’re searching for the best grants for masters degrees in 2025–26, the Germany–CGIAR Science and Impact Hub offers one of the most comprehensive fully funded opportunities for master’s students, early-career scientists, and PhD researchers. This program provides world-class funding, mentorship, and hands-on research training across climate resilience, agriculture, food systems, and global development. Below is the full breakdown of the program, eligibility, benefits, and how to apply.
This new program will provide the first of its kind opportunity for hands-on experience with full financial support including mentorship on the ground in an inter-disciplinary environment that promotes innovative research and work direct involvement working to climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, food security, land restoration and development oriented innovation. Secondly, while a lot of academic scholarships are meant for acknowledging past results, the collaborative Germany–CGIAR program addresses itself to people who would be doing this kind of scientifically-orientated work with long-term global ramifications. Chasing funding for masters degrees?
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Best Grants for Masters Degrees: Germany–CGIAR Overview
The Germany–CGIAR Science and Impact Hub The Germany – CGIAR Science and Impact Hub is a consortium that aims to foster partnership between German entities and CGIAR centres in Africa, Asia, Latin American. Its aim is to help advance crosscutting problem-solving research that could contribute to achieving SDGs, climate adaption targets and climate agreement.
Through this unique partnership:
DSTO is a fully sponsored higher degree by research studentship.
Today, you can only post doc in the Global South.
Co-supervision of related research between university and CGIAR centres.
Students are being prepared to become the next generation of specialists in agricultural change and international development.
At present, there are two main routes available in the Hub — the fully funded PhD Scholarship Programme and also the Junior Scientist Programme for Master’s level students to experience research first-hand alongside finance.
Why This is Among the Best Programs For Students Who Want Grants To Get a Masters Degree
However, as much as the programme with Germany and CGIAR is mainly a funding program to train PhD/ early career researchers, it remains one of the best places to get master degree funding:
MSc students can also act for the PhD traject.
The PhD scholarship package is open for applicants who have completed Master Degree in agriculture, environment science, life science, social sciences, climate studies or related disciplines.
Master Students You can directly get in touch with engineers on master level through the Junior Scientist Programme.
Junior Scientist Track aimed at MSc fellows and young professionals that we hope will be able to conduct field work pertinent to the research of CGIAR.
“ Master students can apply for funding for future studies as part of this programme.
From there, it’s also a way to full funded and consistently publishing PhD positions, a path through which bachelor-level researchers become master-level ones in need of funding.
24 Chapter 1 PhD studies in Germany For one‘s further career, you can also apply for other scholarships at the master level.
Applicants will benefit from advancement within the German scientific system and might have better chances to acquire additional funding (e.g. DAAD-scholarships, EU-research projects or an institution scholarships).
So, if you have a master’s (or want to be on a degree that is suitable for your aims in academia (overall) it opens up direct access the pool of grants for masters’.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility Strands
Germany-CGIAR cooperation programme has two strands of eligibility for Academic Stage (level) of development and Professional Career.
PhD Scholarship Programme
This is the best option for students who already hold a master’s degree and are interested in being fully funded to pursue research.
Eligibility includes:
Master’s degree in agricultural sciences completed or DT and MD – alternatively – Postgraduate (mater or higher) studies in other scientific fields related to climate change, ecology, environmental management, food systems, rural development and data science applied to agriculture.
Proof or evidence to study at a German university for doctoral studies.
A research agenda that is complementary to the CGIAR’s work on climate smart agriculture, biodiversity conservation and sustainable food systems and soil water management.
Co-supervised by a German univeristy academic supervisor and a CGIAR scientist.
Submit academic evidence of former study (your bachelor and/or your first master), combined with an excellent research programme from a master education.
Junior Scientist Programme
Target Audience:
Master’s, early career researchers
Delivered By
This theme area provides:
Open to MSc student in a German university or affiliated research institution.
Any of the four target groups below are encouraged to apply for one position: early-career scientist affiliated with a CGIAR center, WorldVeg- The World Vegetable Centre, icipe or a German academic institution.
Internship A six month research internship in a live CGIAR project.
Further aspiration for solid thematic oriented research idea with a clear male and female German/CGIAR support.
Direct link to student interests like research grants for field work, or grants for Master’s level thesis/project activity.
Programme Benefits
Germany–CGIAR is one of the best longterm opportunities available for international researchers as well as excellent funding and provisions.
PhD Scholarship Benefits
Monthly stipend of 1,800 € to cover living/working expenses for a maximum duration of 36 months.
A further maximum of 12 months on programme requirements and academic performance.
Between 5.000.- and 25.000.– given for field/laboratory work, data collection and reporting outwith the host countries.
A smooth connection to the doctorate landscape in Germany, with academic contents -seminars, summer schools and interdacadical interdisciplinary workshops.
Junior Scientist Benefits
1,000-a-month stipend for six months.
Access to the full network considered for Research Centers of CGIAR.
You learn on the job, mentoring and doing international development research.
Field experiences that will lead to future grant applications (Master’s/Phd level).
Shared Benefits Across Both Programmes
It will be co-supervised by top-level German scientists and CGIAR experts.
Becoming part of an international team of scientists spanning the globe.
Engagement in the transformational initiatives for international climate, agricultural and sustainability needs.
The possibility of teaching, disseminating research, and working on an interdisciplinary field.
More competitive for the next-level funding (e.g. masters grants, or PHD funding and research fellowships).
How to Apply (Step-by-Step Guide)
This application for the Germany-CGIAR cooperation is to be prepared in cooperation with supervisors based at German and CGIAR Centers.
Step 1: Go to the official website of the app.
PhD program or Junior Scientist application package and download the PhD or the Junior Scientist Directives’ version of the application package.
Step 2: Prepare the Documents
For all applicants:
A one-page motivation letter
CV table with date and signature (max 1 page).
Prepared a research proposal (PhD) or 3–4 pages research concept (Junior Scientist).
For PhD applicants:
MSc certificate and academic transcripts
English proficiency certificate (IELTS/TOEFL)
Two recommendation letters
Issuance of Confirmation of Supervision file by German and CGIAR supervisors jointly.
For Junior Scientist applicants:
Letter of host confirmation from a CGIAR centre or another organization
Recommendation letters from Via sides supervisor
Step 3: Secure supervisor commitments
German and CGIAR supervision You should contact potential german supervisors and cgiar project coordinators well ahead of application, since approval by these prospective supervisors are compulsory.
Step 4: Fill the Form, Apply Online and Pay the Fee
Make sure all the papers are in the required format. Application in part and applications filled inconsistent with the requirement will be rejected.
Required Documents Checklist
Letter of motivation
Signed CV (tabular format)
Forschungsantrag o.ä. / 3-4 pages research project or draft proposal…
MSc (for Ph.D) : Copy of Graduation certificate & transcript.
English Language Testing (PhD only)
Letters of recommendation
Confirmation of joint supervision
Young Scientists only CGIAR Hosting Agreement
Read about Chinese Government Scholarships 2026/27: Fully Funded Opportunities for South Africans
and also Fully Funded Grants for Women: Swedish Institute Women in STEM Scholarships 2026
Important Deadlines
Junior Scientist Program Cut-off Date: As early as 15 November 2025
Application Deadline: 15th January 2026
Eligible Countries: ALL
To be taken at (country): Cambridge, UK
Official Link to Apply
Conclusion
The Germany-CGIAR program is a once in a lifetime opportunity for master’s level students and researchers who are soon to have ready grants for their masters or research fully funded. Emphasis is also on research for development in aid-priority countries or South Pacific countries and more recently gastronomy/food security, sustainable agriculture/climate change The program provides early career researchers with funding support, mentoring, peer networking and seed investment.
If you want to help be a part of scientific solutions that improve people’s lives in the Global South, this fellowship will be a platform for academic and professional development!
