UKUDLA Scholarships 2026: Appy Now

The UKUDLA African–German Centre invites applications for its 2026 PhD Doctoral Scholarships, supporting cutting-edge research in sustainable and resilient food systems across leading African and European universities.

The African–German Centre for Sustainable and Resilient Food Systems and Applied Agricultural and Food Data (UKUDLA) has officially opened applications for its 2026 Doctoral Scholarships, marking another significant milestone in strengthening advanced research capacity across Africa. With an application closing date of 06 February 2026, the call invites aspiring doctoral candidates to contribute to transformative research addressing food security, sustainability, and resilience in African food systems.

Building on the success of its inaugural summer school—widely praised for fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and academic excellence—UKUDLA continues to position itself as a leading platform for training the next generation of African scholars. The programme is designed to support rigorous doctoral research while embedding candidates within a dynamic, international academic network.

A Clear Research-Driven Mission

At its core, the UKUDLA doctoral programme is guided by a primary objective: to advance innovative, data-driven, and applied research that strengthens sustainable and resilient food systems in Africa. The initiative recognizes the complex challenges facing African agriculture and food systems, including climate change, population growth, resource constraints, and market volatility. Through high-quality doctoral research, UKUDLA aims to generate evidence-based solutions that can inform policy, practice, and long-term development strategies.

Doctoral candidates are expected to align their research proposals with UKUDLA’s thematic focus areas, which span sustainable agriculture, food systems resilience, applied agricultural data, and related interdisciplinary fields.

A Strong International Consortium

One of UKUDLA’s defining strengths lies in its consortium of highly regarded partner institutions. The programme is jointly implemented by:

University of Hohenheim (Germany)
University of the Western Cape (UWC), South Africa
University of Pretoria (UP), South Africa
University of Mpumalanga, South Africa
Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), Malawi

This consortium ensures that doctoral candidates benefit from diverse academic perspectives, world-class supervision, and exposure to both African and European research environments. The collaborative structure also promotes joint supervision and research exchange, enhancing the academic depth and international relevance of each PhD project.

Place of Tenure and Academic Environment

Successful applicants will be hosted at one of the participating African institutions, with structured research exchanges and academic engagements involving partner universities, including the University of Hohenheim. This model allows candidates to remain grounded in African research contexts while accessing global expertise, facilities, and networks.

UKUDLA further enriches the doctoral experience through access to training modules, thematic workshops, and summer schools, which are designed to strengthen both technical research skills and broader academic competencies.

Comprehensive Scholarship Benefits

The UKUDLA Doctoral Scholarship offers a competitive and comprehensive support package. Scholarship benefits typically include:

A monthly stipend to support living expenses
Coverage of travel costs related to the programme
Access to structured training modules and workshops
Opportunities for research exchange with partner institutions

In addition, doctoral candidates may apply for supplementary funding to cover approved research-related costs, ensuring that high-quality fieldwork, data collection, and analysis can be conducted effectively.

Target Group and Eligibility

The call is open to highly motivated candidates who meet the academic requirements for doctoral study and demonstrate strong alignment with UKUDLA’s research priorities. Applicants are expected to hold a relevant master’s degree and to present a compelling research concept that contributes meaningfully to sustainable and resilient food systems in Africa.

The programme particularly encourages applications from candidates who are committed to academic excellence, interdisciplinary collaboration, and impactful research with real-world relevance.

Application Process and Requirements

Interested candidates are required to submit a complete application package by 06 February 2026. The application process includes:

Completion of the official application form
Submission of a detailed PhD research proposal using the prescribed proposal template
Supporting academic documents, as outlined in the call

To support transparency and clarity, UKUDLA has made key documents available for download, including the official PhD Scholarship Announcement and detailed PhD Scholarship Information in PDF format.

All applications must be submitted in accordance with the guidelines provided. Incomplete or late submissions will not be considered.

Support and Enquiries

UKUDLA remains committed to supporting prospective applicants throughout the process. Any questions or requests for clarification can be directed to the Graduate Centre via [email protected].

Shaping the Future of Food Systems Research

The UKUDLA Doctoral Scholarships represent more than financial support; they offer an opportunity to become part of a growing community of scholars dedicated to transforming African food systems through research, innovation, and international collaboration. By investing in doctoral training today, UKUDLA is helping to shape a more sustainable, resilient, and food-secure future for the continent.

For emerging researchers with a passion for agriculture, sustainability, and applied data, the 2026 UKUDLA PhD call presents a timely and impactful opportunity to advance both academic careers and societal outcomes.