CNRD Scholarship

for PhD and Master students

General Information

CNRD Network General Information

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of the United Nations address the key topics of development such as poverty reduction and safe food supplies, social and cultural development, access to basic resources and shelter. Goal 7 of the Millennium Development Goals sets out to ensure environmental sustainability. To support achieving the MDG 7, Cologne University of Applied Sciences (CUAS) established the Centre for Natural Resources Management under the guidance of the Institute for Technology and Resources Management in the Tropics and Subtropics (ITT). CNRD is a knowledge hub and network regarding MDG 7 with its focal point in Cologne and major satellites in partner universities worldwide.

CNRD Objectives
Establish the CNRD as an international knowledge hub related to Natural Resources Management (NRM) and development Build a Virtual Knowledge Centre to support all activities with a comprehensive information and knowledge management system Create a worldwide network of postgraduate courses related to NRM and development with an interdisciplinary and intercultural orientation Exchange lecturers, attract top students and form young professionals with a profound knowledge on NRM and MDG 7 Develop training capacities at selected partner institutions supported by key German and international institutions and create a network of training institutions in the target regions offering capacity building measures at the regional level Communicate research results effectively through appropriate conferences, workshops and media events

CNRD Themes
Theme 1: Integrated water resources management Advancing the concept of IWRM (national policies) Water supply and demand management: water availability, water conservation and demand management Sanitation: Low cost technologies in wastewater treatment and collection, environmental and health impacts Transboundary river basin management

Theme 2: Land use dynamics and biodiversity Sustainable land use systems under demographic and climatic pressures, desertification Conserving forests and biodiversity Carbon sequestration (Kyoto)

Theme 3: Energy efficiency and renewable resources Energy and resources efficient living, production and transport Renewable energies: solar, wind, and bio-energy

Theme 4: Regional management and sustainable livelihoods of the poor Urban risk management (physical risk and social vulnerability, resilience and mitigation) Settlement efficiency strategies (building resources, material and energy flow, upgrading marginal settlements) Regional management in rural areas; the rural-urban nexus

CNRD Scholarship Program

CNRD aspires the creation of a worldwide network of postgraduate courses related to NRM and development with an interdisciplinary and intercultural orientation. To reach this objective a list of activities will be carried out, starting with CNRD semester scholarships for Master students and full scholarships for PhD candidates. CNRD PhD Scholarships PhD scholarships at CNRD partner universities in Asia, Latin America and Africa Together with the CNRD partners a PhD program will be designed and initiated. PhD students should be embedded in third party funded research at the CNRD partner universities. A maximum of nine students per year will get a three year scholarship. All research topics must be related to MDG 7. It is foreseen that the students will obtain the PhD title from their home university. They will join two common phases in Germany of five months each (one in the first year and the other in the third year). During the first phase in Germany students will participate in a PhD summer school organized by CUAS and partners. The supervisors of ITT and the CNRD partners will actively participate in the summer school and guest lecturers from universities and the private sector will be engaged. Students will present their research topic and discuss it with their colleagues and supervisors. Furthermore, seminars in scientific work with special focus on interdisciplinary research, an intercultural communication workshop, and excursions are planned. The remaining period is reserved for collaborative research at CUAS or at partners in Germany as well as for a literature review. The second phase in Germany will primarily be used for the presentation of the PhD thesis, discussion with the German supervisor and colleagues, and the final revision of the thesis. PhD scholarship at ITT/CUAS One PhD scholarship will be awarded annually for a three year period. Main working place is ITT/CUAS. The topic of the PhD thesis will be given by ITT/CUAS. Call for application and application form are available at websites of CNRD, CUAS and ITT. CNRD MSc Scholarships All partner universities involved in CNRD will bring in at least one already existing Master Program. To support the exchange of students CNRD offers financial support for Master students who want to carry out their field research abroad or who want to join one of the other CNRD Master Programs for one semester. CNRD can sponsor a stay of 4-6 months at CUAS/ITT or at another CNRD partner university.

CNRD Scholarships Information for Applicants

Who can apply for a scholarship?
There is a set of minimum requirements that MSc and PhD candidates have to fulfill: have an academic background; graduation of lastly obtained academic title must not be more than six years ago; Be fluent in English (TOEFL iBT 79 points, IELTS band 6 or equivalent). TOEFL iBT of 59 might be accepted for MSc applicants for Master programs where English proficiency is no admission criteria; Be highly motivated to study abroad.

Further requirements for Master scholarship applicants: o Minimum Bachelor degree and research subject or selected courses related to (one of the) the CNRD topics; Ph.D. scholarship applicants: o Master degree (or equivalent) and research subject related to (one of the) the CNRD topics; o A supervisor at one of the CNRD universities must have agreed to supervise the proposed PhD work in the event that a scholarship is granted. To this end, the candidate must independently contact one of the courses/supervisors and obtain consent/a recommendation in advance. An exception is the PhD scholarship at ITT/CUAS. Here, the applicants can suggest a supervisor from a German university. Alternatively, the CNRD PhD committee can support the scholarship holder in finding an appropriate university and supervisor.

Where to apply?
Scholarship applications have to be handed in at the University of Origin. The PhD program will have its roots in the home university in a developing country where PhD students will receive their degree. In case that the University of Origin doesnt offer a PhD program, the CNRD network will look for an adequate option in the region or Germany. The final selection takes place at CUAS. A representative of the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) is invited to each selection session of scholarship holders for a Master program or a PhD. The selection bases on the quality of the candidates, i.e. outstanding achievements in terms of grades. There is no age limit for applicants. One precondition for scholarship applicants is that the period between graduation from the last studies and the time of application should not exceed 6 years. If the dissertation has already begun by the time of the application for a scholarship, the start of the dissertation should not be dated back 3 years before the application. For the PhD scholarship at ITT/CUAS the candidate has to apply directly at ITT/CUAS.

Rights and obligations ensuing from scholarship contract

The Scholarship holder is obligated to pursue the academic project on which the award is based to the best of his or her ability and to send to the CNRD copies of any certificates he or she received for qualifications or degrees earned in connection with the award. Health, accident and liability insurance Adequate health, liability and accident insurances for the scholarship holder and for all accompanying family members are obligatory. In any case the insurance costs have to be covered from the monthly stipend. Scholarship holders older than 29 years cannot be contracted in a compulsory health insurance company. In this case the scholarship holder has to be contracted in a private insurance company (e.g. via DAAD or others. DAAD health, accident and liability insurance costs around 110/month, date Febr. 2010). The insurance does not cover illnesses or diseases contracted before the insurance began nor their treatment if this continues in the current term of the insurance policy. Exceptions are only metabolic diseases, allergies, diseases of the thyroid gland and cardio-vascular diseases. In case of such disease usually insurance will only pay the costs after a personal contribution been deducted. Insurance is under no obligation to refund the costs for childbirth, dentures, and treatment for mental and psychological disorders and diseases. Foreign students coming to Germany: CNRD suggests getting the private health insurance policy provided by DAAD for its scholarship holders. Scholarship holders can also choose to be insured with another company. In this case a copy of the insurance contract has to be provided. In this case scholarship holders will then be personally responsible for any additional costs that arise, e.g. in the insurance contributions or as a result of illness or accident. Adequate health insurance will be precondition for inscription at CUAS. PhD scholarship holders must arrange adequate insurance for the periods in their home country on their own. A copy of the insurance contract has to be provided at the time signing scholarship contract. German students going abroad: Scholarship holders should arrange adequate travel insurance in their home country on their own. A copy of the insurance contract has to be provided. Upon request insurance provided by DAAD can be contracted. Sideline job during the scholarship period If the scholarship holder wants to work, he/she previously needs a written permission of CNRD coordination. This approval can only be claimed under the condition, that his/her scholarship is reduced by the amount of the gross income, which exceeds the limit of the lump sum for part time employees ( 400 a month). This limit of the lump sum counts for each month the scholarship holder is working. Hence the monthly subtracted amount cannot be minimized by comprising the month the scholarship holder is not working. In special cases recompenses for efforts which were made on behalf of German authorities and linked with direct concern on foreign cooperation have not to be reduced from scholarship. However, it is strongly suggested that CNRD scholarship holders do not work at all and work permissions will be handled restrictively. Refund of tuition fee abroad After granting a scholarship there will be individual checks if the tuition fees in the respective country can be refunded. Please refer to the CNRD coordinators of the respective countries.

Abandonment of the scholarship by the scholarship holder In case of an abandonment of the scholarship ahead of time by the scholarship holder, he/she must repay the already received expenses of the scholarship (cost of outward journey, monthly installments, etc.). Cost of inward journey will not be granted. CNRD can stop the financial support of the scholarship holder, if he/she does not fulfill his/her obligations mentioned in the scholarship contract, which means: CNRD can stop scholarship payments ahead of time, if the scholarship does not serve the purpose anymore or the scholarship holder commits an offence and is finally convicted. CNRD can reclaim the disbursed scholarship and other fringe benefit, if it was not spent accordingly to the purposes or if the preconditions for granting the scholarship were not fulfilled from the beginning on or were omitted subsequently. CNRD can discontinue payments prior to the end of the scholarship, if the objective of the scholarship can no longer be achieved.

The decision about abandonment of the scholarship will be taken in CNRD steering committee. The received amount has to be paid back with interest rate. Concomitant claiming of further scholarships Financial support by other institution (short term, semester, yearly scholarship): It is not possible to have any other German scholarships beside a DAAD scholarship. It is as well not allowed to have another scholarship from DAAD Regional Offices or European Union, e.g. Erasmus Mundus at the same time. Though additional assistance through foreign scholarships up to 400 a month is possible (note that 400 is the maximum sum you are allowed to receive besides your DAAD scholarship through foreign scholarship and sideline job). Obligations to report to CNRD The scholarship holder is obligated to inform the CNRD of any facts or alterations which are relevant to the conditions on which the award is based. This includes in particular: The scholarship holders address and any change therefore, before and during the period of award; Any circumstances pertaining to or invalidating the entitlement to additional allowances (e.g. any changes of personal/marital status) in advance; Absence from the university or host institution (does not apply to holders of research grants awarded to run for a period of up to six months) in advance; Illness of more than two weeks; Reporting additional financial support from other sources (or applicants for such support) in advance; Travel dates for entry and departure; dates of examinations to be taken at the host institution in advance; Examination results.

The scholarship holder is obligated to obtain agreement in writing from the CNRD in the following cases: For changing subject, supervisor or host institution; For absence from the host institution for academic or urgent personal reasons during the lecture period.

Reports/Thesis
Scholarship holders are obliged to give a written report in regular intervals. MSC scholarships MSc scholarship holders will have to give short reports about their progress, preferably published on CNRD website plus a final report of 2 pages in English language. If the scholarship was awarded for a field research an abstract of the Master thesis of 2 pages and in English language has to be provided. The scholarship holder is obliged to return the completed evaluation questionnaire at the end of the scholarship period.

PhD scholarships PhD scholarship holders will have to give short reports about their progress, preferably published on CNRD website, an annual report of 2 pages plus a final report. PhD theses have to be written in English language. Exemptions have to be approved by CNRD coordination. Furthermore, PhD students have to submit a scientific paper to an ISI listed journal at least after 24 months of scholarship. The scholarship holder is obliged to return the completed evaluation questionnaire at the end of the scholarship period.

What the CNRD will do The CNRD accords the scholarship holder the financial support given in the Letter of Award Within the range of its possibilities the CNRD will also endeavor to advice, assist and support scholarship holders in matters of a non-financial nature pertaining to their stay in Germany during the award period.

Scholarship grants
The scholarship basically consists of a monthly stipend plus travel costs. MSc Scholarships Maximum length of funding is 6 months, for field research a period of 4 months is foreseen Travel costs to country of destination will be covered up to the maximum lump sums given from DAAD. Students are responsible for flight booking. Monthly stipend for students going to other country than Germany: 500 Monthly stipend for foreign students staying in Germany: 750 Family allowance cant be provided

PhD Scholarships Maximum length of funding is 3 years; an extension of scholarship is not possible. 1) For PhD scholarships at CNRD partner universities in Asia, Latin America and Africa: 2 periods of 4-5 months in Germany are essential part of the scholarship. Obligatory schedule will be provided by German CNRD coordination. 2) For PhD scholarship at ITT/CUAS: Main working place is ITT/CUAS. Research stays abroad will be aligned with the CNRD PhD committee. Travel costs to country of destination will be covered up to the maximum lump sums given from DAAD. Students are responsible for flight booking. Monthly stipend throughout stay in CNRD partner country: 500/month Monthly stipend during stay in Germany: 1.000/month Family allowance can only be provided under certain conditions and if overall project budget allows. If a PhD candidate wants to bring his family to Germany please refer to the CNRD coordination to inquire. Family allowance applies only for the period in Germany and only in case the family spends more than three months time in Germany. Travel costs for family members can NOT be covered at all.

Application deadline
PhD scholarships will be selected once per year, MSc scholarships twice per year. PhD scholarships PhD scholarships at CNRD Partner universities in Asia, Latin America and Africa Application deadline is April 30, 2010. PhD scholarships at ITT/CUAS: Application deadline is June 30, 2010 MSc scholarships Application deadline is May 31, 2010.

Application documents
The complete set of documents has to be sent digitally. The following documents must be submitted: completed and signed application form in English, document proving the higher education entrance qualification (Bachelor degree for MSc scholarship, master degree or equivalent for PhD scholarship, etc.), in Spanish, English or German, curriculum vitae (in tabular form) in English (preferably in the Europass format: www.europass.cedefop.europa.eu, with photo), TOEFL iBT 79 points, IELTS band 6 or equivalent. If an applicant's first language is English or his/her studies at the university level have been conducted wholly in the medium of English (written proof from the University is required) he/she is exempted from providing an English language proficiency test. TOEFL iBT of 59 might be accepted for MSc applicants for Master programs where English proficiency is no admission criteria; signed formulated project idea on what the applicant would be interested to work on during their stay abroad o applicants for exchange semester scholarship: list of courses you want to study abroad (available at CNRD webpage and CNRD coordinator in respective country) o applicants for master thesis scholarship: description of the topic of your master thesis in English (min. 2 pages, including time schedule), o applicants for Ph.D. scholarship description of the topic of your Ph.D. thesis in English (4 pages text including literature plus max. 2 pages figures and tables) letters of recommendation by university teacher(s) of your university of origin for MSc field research scholarships: letter of invitation by professor of your university of destination for MSc semester scholarship: list of courses you intent to take Copies of references from professional work and qualifications

Please send your complete application to the local CNRD coordinator, after an internal preselection the application will be forwarded for final selection to the ITT.

Contact address at ITT for further questions

PhD Program Dr. Udo Nehren udo.nehren@fh-koeln.de ++49 221 8275 2148 MSc Scholarships Dipl.-Ing. M.Eng. Simone Sandholz simone.sandholz@fh-koeln.de ++49 221 8275 2765