UNIVERSITY OF STUTTGART
University of Stuttgart ENWAT Project PhD Scholarship in Environmental Engineering
full · phd
- €1,300 / month stipendMonthly funding
- Up to 48 months (4 years)Funding duration
- DAAD-fundedFunding source
- Founded 1829Host university
- International applicants onlyEligibility
- 39.5 hours / week full-timeWorkload
At a glance
full
Funding
€16k
Max amount
Oct 1, 2026
Deadline
Open to international (non-German) students of all nationalities
Country
University of Stuttgart
Provider
The University of Stuttgart ENWAT Project PhD Scholarship is a DAAD-funded doctoral position at the University of Stuttgart, a public research university founded in 1829 and known for engineering and environmental science. The project, based in the ENWAT doctoral programme, investigates the seasonal variation of greenhouse-gas production in wastewater treatment plants using methods such as 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, metagenomics, metatranscriptomics and GC-MS emissions quantification. Funding runs for up to 48 months (4 years) with a monthly stipend of €1,300, full-time at 39.5 hours per week, plus access to advanced research facilities and dual-career and family support. The scholarship is open only to international (non-German) applicants who hold a Master's degree in civil engineering, environmental engineering, microbiology, water resources management or a related field. At the time of DAAD nomination in December 2026 the last degree must be within 6 years and the applicant must not have lived in Germany for more than 15 months. Applications are submitted through the official ENWAT online portal, with the 2026/2027 deadline around 1 October 2026 and shortlisted candidates nominated to DAAD in December 2026. Because the stipend rate, eligibility windows and exact dates are set each cycle, confirm the current figures on the official ENWAT and DAAD pages before you apply.
What's covered
- Monthly stipend — A DAAD monthly stipend of €1,300 supports living costs in Stuttgart for the duration of the doctoral research.
- Funding duration — Funding is provided for up to 48 months (4 years) of full-time doctoral research at 39.5 hours per week.
- Tuition — No tuition fees apply; only a small semester contribution of about ~€170 (est.) is charged.
- Research facilities — Access to advanced laboratory and analytical facilities, including sequencing, FTIR, HPLC, IC and GC-MS instrumentation.
- Welfare and support — Dual-career support, family-friendly services and health and well-being services for staff and students.
How to apply
Applications are submitted through the official ENWAT online portal; shortlisted candidates are then nominated to DAAD.
- Prepare your documents — Assemble your CV, Bachelor's and Master's transcripts with grading scale, a one-page motivation letter, an applicant profile summary and two recommendation letters.
- Check eligibility — Confirm you are a non-German national, hold a qualifying Master's degree, and meet the degree-recency and 15-month residence conditions.
- Submit online — Apply through the official University of Stuttgart ENWAT online portal, uploading all required documents and proof of English proficiency.
- Meet the deadline — Ensure your complete application is submitted by ~1 October 2026 (est.) for the 2026/2027 cycle.
- DAAD nomination — Shortlisted candidates are nominated to DAAD in December 2026, after which DAAD confirms the scholarship award.
Eligibility
DegreeHold a Master's degree (M.Sc., Dipl.-Ing. or equivalent) in civil engineering, environmental engineering, microbiology, water resources management or a related field.
NationalityOpen only to international applicants who are non-German nationals.
Degree recency and residenceAt the time of DAAD nomination (December 2026), the last degree must be within 6 years and the applicant must not have lived in Germany for more than 15 months.
LanguageProvide proof of English proficiency through TOEFL, IELTS or a previous English-taught degree.
Two recommendation letters issued within the last 2 years, a one-page motivation letter and an academic CV with research achievements are required. Certified translations are needed for documents not in German or English.
Eligible countries
Open to international (non-German) students of all nationalities
Deadlines
2026/2027 doctoral intake~1 October 2026 (est.)
Selection
Applications are screened for eligibility and completeness, then assessed on academic record, research background in molecular ecology and environmental microbiology, and fit with the ENWAT greenhouse-gas project. Shortlisted candidates are nominated to DAAD in December, and DAAD makes the final funding decision based on the university's recommendation.
Verified sources
- University of Stuttgart ENWAT Doctoral Programmeenwat.uni-stuttgart.deofficial
- University of Stuttgartuni-stuttgart.deofficial
About the provider
The University of Stuttgart is a public research university in Stuttgart, Germany, founded in 1829. It is a leading German institution for engineering, environmental and natural sciences, hosts the interdisciplinary ENWAT doctoral programme in environmental and water engineering, and collaborates closely with regional industry and research centres.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
What is the deadline for the ENWAT PhD Scholarship?
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The 2026/2027 application deadline is around 1 October 2026; confirm the exact date on the official ENWAT portal.
Is the scholarship fully funded?
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Yes. It is funded by DAAD and includes a monthly stipend of €1,300 for up to 4 years.
Who can apply?
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Only international (non-German) students who meet the academic, degree-recency and residence requirements may apply.
Do I need German language skills?
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No. Proof of English proficiency through TOEFL, IELTS or an English-taught degree is required instead.
What are the main research areas?
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Greenhouse-gas emissions, microbial ecology, wastewater treatment processes and environmental microbiology.
Can I apply with only a Bachelor's degree?
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No. A Master's degree (M.Sc., Dipl.-Ing. or equivalent) is required for eligibility.
How long does funding last?
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Funding is provided for up to 48 months (4 years) of full-time doctoral research.
What is the residence condition?
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At the time of DAAD nomination you must not have lived in Germany for more than 15 months, and your last degree must be within 6 years.
How do I apply?
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Applications are submitted through the official University of Stuttgart ENWAT online portal with all required documents.
When are candidates nominated to DAAD?
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Shortlisted applicants are nominated to DAAD in December 2026.
Which documents are mandatory?
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A CV, transcripts, motivation letter, two recommendation letters, English proficiency proof and certified translations if applicable.
Where can I confirm current details?
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Always verify the stipend, deadline and eligibility on the official ENWAT and DAAD pages before applying.