TUM SEED Center
Announcement of a Doctoral Scholarship
“Decentralized Energy Governance in the Global South”
Call for Applications
The TUM SEED Center is an Excellence Centre for Exchange and Development, funded by DAAD and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development from 2020 to 2029. The TUM SEED Center conducts research and offers higher education at the intersection of Sustainable Energies, Entrepreneurship and Development (SEED) in the Global South. The TUM SEED Center consists of the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and ten leading technical universities across the Global South, including Bahir Dar University (Ethiopia), Bandung Institute of Technology (Indonesia), Burkina Institute of Technology (Burkina Faso), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (Ghana), Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (India), Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (Kenya), Makerere University (Uganda), Namibia University of Science and Technology (Namibia), Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (Peru), and Stellenbosch University (South Africa). Through its international and interdisciplinary doctoral program, the TUM SEED Center fosters academic exchange and facilitates excellent research.
This announcement invites master’s students from the Global South with excellent academic track record and strong motivation to apply for the doctoral scholarship in “Decentralized Energy Governance in the Global South”. The doctoral scholarship will focus on the regulatory and participatory governance dimensions of decentralized electricity systems and mini-grids, contributing to SDG 7, Clean and Affordable Energy for All by 2030. The selected and awarded doctoral scholar will be supervised by Prof. Dr. Miranda Schreurs from the TUM Department of Governance, School of Social Sciences and Technology and the Munich School of Politics and Public Policy (Hochschule für Politik München an den Technischen Universität München).
The SEED doctoral scholarship includes a monthly stipend of EUR 1,300, international mobility grants, insurance support, family support for a spouse and children, and annual support. The duration of the scholarship program is 4 years, starting from 1 June 2025 to 31 May 2029.
SEED doctoral scholars are expected to:
- Demonstrate a strong commitment to the work as a doctoral student
- Participate and contribute to the activities of the TUM SEED Center (e.g. annual symposia)
- Engage in academic exchange (i.e., visit and collaborate with partner universities)
Application requirements:
- Master’s degree in public policy, political science, or related fields (with a focus on sustainability)
- Excellent academic track record
- Extracurricular skills, social engagement, and strong motivation
- Nationality from one of the eligible countries in the Global South
Qualified women and individuals with disabilities are particularly encouraged to apply. A semi-finalist list of candidates will be asked to send samples of their written work and will be invited for an online interview with Prof. Dr. Miranda Schreurs and her team. The Selection Commission of the TUM SEED Center will make the final decision in line with DAAD criteria.
To apply, please upload your CV, a strong letter of motivation highlighting the fit to the TUM SEED Center, a research proposal of a maximum 3 pages, and the usual certificates, including the transcript of records in English through the online form: https://wkf.ms/3YQbhq9 by 10 February 2025.
If you have any questions regarding the announcement feel free to contact Prof. Dr. Miranda Schreurs (Email: miranda.schreurs@hfp.tum.de).