The UKUDLA German–African Centre for Food Systems and Data Science invites applications for African PhD scholarship grants commencing in 2026. The Centre is funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) with financial support from the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space of Germany. These scholarships are intended to support high-quality PhD research projects conducted in South Africa and Malawi, in close cooperation with UKUDLA partner institutions.
The scholarship programme is designed to strengthen doctoral training and research excellence in the interconnected fields of sustainable food systems and applied data science. Through this initiative, UKUDLA seeks to build a new generation of African scholars equipped with the skills, knowledge, and interdisciplinary perspectives required to address complex food system challenges in Africa and beyond.
Aim and Focus of the Programme
The primary objective of UKUDLA is to develop young scientists with strong expertise in:
- Sustainable and resilient food systems
- Applied data science and quantitative analytical methods
- Interdisciplinary research addressing food, nutrition, agriculture, and development challenges
Applications that explicitly integrate food systems research with data science approaches are particularly encouraged. The Centre values innovative research that combines empirical analysis, modelling, and data-driven insights to support evidence-based decision-making in food systems.
Participating Institutions
Successful applicants will be registered at and supported through collaboration with one or more of the following UKUDLA partner institutions:
- University of Pretoria (South Africa)
- University of the Western Cape (South Africa)
- University of Mpumalanga (South Africa)
- Lilongwe University of Agricultural and Natural Resources (Malawi)
These institutions provide academic supervision, research infrastructure, and collaborative networks that contribute to a high-quality doctoral training environment.
Scholarship Structure and Funding
The UKUDLA PhD scholarship is structured to provide sustained financial and academic support over the full duration of doctoral studies.
Key features of the scholarship include:
- Funding period of 36 months
- Optional extension of up to six months, subject to approval
- Monthly subsistence allowance:
- 900 Euro for PhD candidates based in South Africa
- 300 Euro for PhD candidates based in Malawi
- Eligibility to apply for additional research funding to support fieldwork, data collection, and research-related activities
The scholarship is intended to allow candidates to focus fully on their research and academic development.
Research Areas and Topics
Applicants are expected to propose PhD research projects aligned with UKUDLA’s thematic priorities. Research topics may include, but are not limited to:
- Food system sustainability and resilience
- Agricultural productivity and innovation
- Nutrition and food security
- Climate-smart agriculture
- Food value chains and markets
- Data-driven approaches to food system analysis
- Statistical modelling, machine learning, or spatial analysis applied to food systems
Detailed information on priority research themes and topic areas is available through the UKUDLA website.
