Global Water and Climate Adaptation Centre Global Water and Climate Adaptation Centre Aachen Bangkok Chennai Dresden
Global Water and Climate Adaptation Centre Global Water and Climate Adaptation Centre

Scholarship for PostDocs and Professors from German Universities

Research stay at IIT Madras in 2026

What is the ABCD Centre?

With the ABCD-Centre, the project partners RWTH Aachen University, Asian Institute of Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, United Nations University - Institute for Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and of Resources (UNU-FLORES) and Technische Universität Dresden are joining forces in an effort to address the global challenge of water security and climate change adaptation in a systematic manner.

The centre is engaged in three intertwined research clusters:

  • Cluster I: Water Security, Water Resources Management, Secure Water Supply and Water Treatment
  • Cluster II: Ecosystem Resilience and Nature-Based Adaptation Measures
  • Cluster III: Transfer Strategies for Climate Adaptation: Traditional Knowledge, Local Economies and Societal Acceptance

A key objective of the ABCD Centre is the research-oriented scientific training of talented students and researchers. It is in this context that the ABCD-Centre awards one scholarship for PostDocs and Professors for a research stay in the field of water and climate adaptation.

Call for applications

PostDocs and Professors from German universities

In the field of Water and Climate Adaptation

Host university
Indian Institute of Technology Madras, India
Awarded by
DAAD-funded Global Water and Climate Adaptation Centre - Aachen, Bangkok, Chennai, Dresden (ABCD-Centre)
Deadline
May 31st, 2026

Current opportunity

The ABCD-Centre currently accepts applications for one funded research stay at IIT Madras for PostDocs and Professors from German universities.

Who can apply?

PostDocs and Professors from German universities who are interested in deepening and expanding the ABCD Centre's research activities in one of the three research clusters. It is recommended that a first contact with IIT Madras exist.

What does the scholarship entail?

  • A one-time amount for accommodation and living expenses: up to 2.000 EUR
  • A one-time amount for travel expenses: up to 1.000 EUR
  • Support for health insurance: 199 EUR

Application documents

Please send your application with the documents mentioned below in one PDF file to abcd-centre@rwth-aachen.de.

Application deadline for the scholarship: May 31st, 2026. Documents required:

  • Recent Curriculum Vitae
  • Passport copy
  • Agenda, ca. 4-6 pages, for the funded research stay, including planned research topic, relevance for the ABCD Centre clusters, timeline, expected outcomes, planned work on joint research proposals, strategic importance for the centre, and any other planned joint activity at the host institution.
  • Invitation by host scientist from IIT Madras as letter or email confirming the agenda and timeline.

Selection criteria and process

  • The application needs to be complete to be considered.
  • The ABCD Centre advocates equal opportunities and diversity.
  • The selection will be conducted by the Steering Committee of the ABCD Centre.
  • The ABCD Centre will announce the selection result within four weeks after the application deadline.

Important information

  • A final report has to be handed in after completing the stay, max. 2 pages.
  • The funding rules and regulations by the DAAD under the program Global Centres for Climate and Environment apply.
  • After the selection, the scholarship recipient has to confirm in a binding manner the acceptance of the scholarship.

Contact: abcd-centre@rwth-aachen.de