The AGNES-BAYER Science Foundation Research Grant for Biodiversity Conservation & Sustainable Agriculture (2026) is open to PhD students from sub-Saharan African countries. The application deadline is 16th October 2026 at 23.59 GMT. This grant supports doctoral research activities in biodiversity conservation and sustainable agriculture.
The program is funded by the BAYER Foundation with support from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (AvH). In addition, successful applicants may receive up to EUR 7,000 to carry out eligible research activities.
Application Deadline: 16th October 2026 at 23.59 GMT
Eligible Countries: Sub-Saharan Africa
Grant Location: Research activities to be undertaken in any sub-Saharan African country; applicants must be registered at a university/tertiary institute in sub-Saharan Africa and be nationals of a sub-Saharan African country.
Award Provider: African-German Network of Excellence in Science (AGNES)
About the Grant
This research grant is designed for doctoral candidates working in biodiversity conservation and/or sustainable agriculture. Specifically, it supports research activities that strengthen ongoing PhD work in sub-Saharan Africa.
Funding may support field experiments, data collection, laboratory studies, or other research activities linked to the applicant’s doctoral research. Applications must be submitted in English.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be officially registered for a doctoral degree at a university or tertiary institute in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Applicants must be nationals of a sub-Saharan African country.
- Applicants must have published at least one scientific paper in a non-predatory journal.
- Applicants must provide SCOPUS or Web of Science URLs to each publication.
- Applicants should be working in biodiversity conservation and/or sustainable agriculture.
- Applicants should have strong academic records and publications in peer-reviewed international journals indexed in SCOPUS or Web of Science.
- Applications must be submitted in English.
Grant Amount: Maximum Grant of EUR 7,000
Project Duration: Research activities shall begin no earlier than 11 January 2027 and no later than 31 March 2027. (No overall project duration stated.)
Funding Scope: Once-off grant to support doctoral research activities such as field experiments, data collection, laboratory studies, or other research activities relevant to the PhD research. Recipients and supervisors must sign an acceptance or contractual agreement within two weeks of the offer. Reporting is required up to 6 months after completion of the PhD.
How to Apply
Applicants should complete the online application form and prepare all required documents in English. Before applying, make sure your documents are complete and follow the stated format.
Required documents include:
- Short original research/project proposal (≤5 pages, in English)
- Standard CV of the applicant (AGNES template, in English)
- Official proof of registration for the doctoral degree (current enrolment)
- Official academic transcripts (with explanation of grading system if not in English)
- List of published articles in non-predatory journals with SCOPUS or Web of Science links and an e-copy of the first page of each publication merged into a single PDF
- Detailed budget of the planned activities
Application Form: Apply here
👉 Visit the official grant page for details
