AGNES-BAYER Science Foundation Research Grant 2026 | Up to €7,000 for African PhD Students
The African-German Network of Excellence in Science (AGNES), with funding from the Bayer Foundation and support from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (AvH), is inviting applications for the 2026 AGNES-BAYER Science Foundation Research Grant for Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa.
This grant supports doctoral students from sub-Saharan African countries who are conducting research in biodiversity conservation and sustainable agriculture. Successful applicants can receive up to €7,000 to support research activities that contribute to scientific development and address challenges in their home countries.
The funding can support activities such as field experiments, data collection, laboratory studies and other outstanding research activities related to the eligible research areas.
Application deadline: 16 October 2026 at 23:59 GMT.
Scholarship Overview
- Grant Name: AGNES-BAYER Science Foundation Research Grant 2026
- Funding Organisation: Bayer Foundation
- Programme: African-German Network of Excellence in Science (AGNES)
- Supporting Organisation: Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
- Eligible Applicants: Doctoral students who are nationals of sub-Saharan African countries
- Research Areas: Biodiversity conservation and sustainable agriculture
- Maximum Funding: €7,000 per successful applicant
- Application Language: English
- Application Deadline: 16 October 2026, 23:59 GMT
- Expected Selection Meeting: December 2026
- Earliest Research Start Date: 11 January 2027
About the AGNES-BAYER Research Grant
The AGNES-BAYER Science Foundation Research Grant aims to strengthen scientific capacity among young African researchers.
The programme supports PhD students undertaking research that contributes to biodiversity conservation, sustainable agriculture and the development of sub-Saharan African countries.
Through financial assistance for doctoral research activities, the grant enables eligible researchers to collect data, conduct experiments and undertake laboratory work needed to advance their doctoral projects.
Applicants must demonstrate how their proposed research could contribute to development in their home countries or elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa.
Research Areas Covered
The grant focuses on two principal areas.
1. Biodiversity Conservation
Doctoral researchers working on biodiversity conservation may apply for funding to support eligible research activities forming part of their PhD studies.
Applicants should demonstrate the scientific relevance of their proposed work and explain how it could contribute to biodiversity conservation and development in sub-Saharan Africa.
2. Sustainable Agriculture
The programme also supports doctoral research in sustainable agriculture. Eligible activities may include field experiments, data collection, laboratory studies and other research activities connected to the applicant’s doctoral project.
Proposals should clearly explain the research objectives, planned activities and expected contribution to development in the region.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the 2026 AGNES-BAYER Research Grant, applicants must meet the requirements specified in the call for applications.
Applicants must:
- Be nationals of a sub-Saharan African country.
- Be officially registered for a doctoral degree at a university or tertiary institution in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Conduct research in biodiversity conservation and/or sustainable agriculture.
- Have published at least one scientific paper in a non-predatory journal.
- Demonstrate an outstanding academic record and relevant publications in peer-reviewed international journals indexed in Scopus or Web of Science.
- Provide the Scopus or Web of Science URL for each publication.
- Demonstrate the relevance of their original research proposal to development in sub-Saharan Africa.
Important: Applicants who have already completed their PhD are not eligible under the stated requirements. Only currently enrolled doctoral students will be considered.
What Does the Grant Cover?
Successful applicants can receive a maximum grant of €7,000.
The funding is intended to support planned activities that form part of the applicant’s doctoral research. These may include field experiments, data collection, laboratory studies and other eligible research activities.
The grant cannot be used to reimburse research activities completed before the award.
Applicants should prepare a detailed budget explaining the planned activities and how the requested funding will support their research objectives.
Required Application Documents
All applications must be submitted in English. The complete application must include the following documents:
1. Research Proposal
Applicants must prepare an original research or project proposal of no more than five pages. The proposal should outline the research activities, objectives and schedule for completing the planned work.
The proposal must be written by the applicant and will undergo plagiarism screening.
2. Curriculum Vitae
Applicants must use the official AGNES CV template, completed in English.
Download the 2026 AGNES-BAYER CV Template
3. Proof of Doctoral Registration
Provide official documentation confirming current registration for a PhD at a university or tertiary institution in sub-Saharan Africa.
4. Academic Transcripts
Submit official academic transcripts showing undergraduate and postgraduate grades, where applicable. If the transcripts are in another language, include an official explanation of the grading system in English.
5. List of Publications
Prepare a single PDF containing a list of published articles and the Scopus or Web of Science links for each publication.
Include an electronic copy of the first page of every publication, showing its title, authors and abstract. The PDF should begin with a descriptive title, followed by the publication list and the corresponding article pages.
6. Detailed Research Budget
Provide a detailed budget outlining the planned research activities and associated costs.
The maximum permitted size for the complete application is 20 MB. Incomplete applications or applications that do not follow the specified instructions will be rejected.
How to Apply for the AGNES-BAYER Grant 2026
Eligible applicants should follow these steps:
- Review the eligibility requirements and confirm that the proposed research falls within the grant’s focus areas.
- Prepare an original research proposal of no more than five pages.
- Complete the official AGNES CV template.
- Gather proof of doctoral registration and academic transcripts.
- Compile the required publication list and supporting article pages into one PDF.
- Prepare a detailed research budget.
- Complete and submit the online application form before the deadline.
Application deadline: 16 October 2026 at 23:59 GMT.
Applicants should ensure that all required documents are included before submitting their applications.
Selection Process and Research Timeline
According to the announcement, the selection meeting will take place in December 2026, and successful candidates will be informed following the selection process.
Research activities must begin no earlier than 11 January 2027 and no later than 31 March 2027.
Successful applicants and their supervisors must submit signed letters of acceptance and contractual agreements to the AGNES Governing Board within two weeks of receiving the grant offer.
After completing the PhD programme, grantees and their supervisors are expected to report on the progress and outcomes of the research, including scientific publications. The report must be submitted no later than six months after PhD completion.
Contact Information
For questions about the call for applications, contact:
- Joel Anthony, Programme Manager: info@agnes-h.org
- Prof. Zachary Getenga, Secretary of AGNES: zgetenga@gmail.com
For further information about AGNES, applicants may also contact Prof. Alexandra Muellner-Riehl at muellner-riehl@uni-leipzig.de or Prof. Dr. Odunayo Clement Adebooye at ocadebooye@gmail.com.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 AGNES-BAYER Science Foundation Research Grant offers an opportunity for eligible African PhD students to obtain financial support for research in biodiversity conservation and sustainable agriculture.
With funding of up to €7,000, the programme aims to strengthen scientific research and support projects that contribute to development across sub-Saharan Africa.
Doctoral students who meet the nationality, registration, publication and research requirements should prepare their documents carefully and submit their applications before the deadline.
Research Grant / Research Grant / Research Grant / Research Grant /
