Bio-inspired engineering and biomimicry are no longer niche concepts—they are defining a new frontier in innovation. Drawing insights from nature’s optimized designs, researchers and engineers are creating scalable solutions in materials science, robotics, architecture, energy systems, and sustainable design. Whether it’s mimicking the self-cleaning lotus leaf in nanomaterials, applying the aerodynamics of bird flight to drone design, or replicating photosynthesis for artificial energy systems, this rapidly emerging field intersects biology, physics, computer science, and mechanical engineering.
1. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree in Bio-Refinery and Bio-Inspired Sustainable Technologies (BioEco)
Partner Universities:
- University of Bologna (Italy)
- Aalto University (Finland)
- University of Aveiro (Portugal)
- University of Orléans (France)
Program Focus:
- Biomimetic systems for renewable energy
- Nature-inspired materials for circular economy
- Sustainable bio-refinery processes
Scholarship Includes:
- Full tuition coverage
- Monthly stipend (~€1,400)
- Travel and relocation support
- Insurance coverage
Application Opens: November 2024
Deadline: Typically February 2025
Ideal For: STEM students with backgrounds in chemical engineering, materials science, or bioengineering interested in nature-based design and sustainability.
2. DAAD Scholarships – Germany: Biomimicry & Engineering Biology Tracks
Host Institutions:
- University of Freiburg – BIOSS Centre for Biological Signalling Studies
- TU Dresden – Cluster of Excellence “Physics of Life”
- RWTH Aachen – Institute of Bionic and Evolution Techniques
Research Themes:
- Bio-inspired robotics and motion systems
- Evolutionary engineering
- Adaptive materials modeled after natural systems
DAAD Support:
- Full tuition waiver
- Monthly stipend (€934–€1,200 depending on program)
- Travel + language training grant
- Health insurance
Open To: Master’s and doctoral applicants from all non-EU countries
3. EPFL Excellence Fellowships – Switzerland: Bioengineering and Biomimicry Tracks
Relevant Master’s Programs:
- MSc in Life Sciences and Bioengineering
- MSc in Mechanical Engineering (with Bio-Inspired Design focus)
Research Highlights:
- Bio-inspired swarm robotics
- Artificial muscles and soft actuators
- Hierarchical design of materials inspired by bone and nacre
Fellowship Includes:
- CHF 10,000/semester stipend
- Full tuition exemption
- Research placements in labs such as the Laboratory for Bioinspired Soft Robotics
Selection Criteria: Strong academic background and demonstrable interest in biological systems and mechanical innovation.
4. University of Cambridge – PhD and MPhil in Bio-Inspired Engineering (UK)
Institution: Institute for Manufacturing & Bio-Inspired Engineering Group
Research Areas:
- Self-healing materials
- Plant-inspired fluid transport systems
- Nature-based solutions in architecture
Funding Sources:
- Gates Cambridge Scholarships (Full funding for non-UK students)
- EPSRC DTP (for UK/EU residents)
- Cambridge Trust International Scholarships
Application Period: Opens September 2024
Benefits: Full tuition, £18,622+ annual stipend, conference travel support
5. Chalmers University of Technology – MSc in Industrial Ecology with Biomimicry Electives
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
Program Strength:
- Sustainable design systems inspired by ecosystems
- Integration of bio-based innovation in industrial processes
- Symbiotic networks and closed-loop resource flows
Scholarship Options:
- Swedish Institute Scholarships (SISGP)
- Chalmers IPOET Scholarships for non-EU/EEA students
Funding Includes:
- Full or partial tuition
- Monthly living allowance (~SEK 10,000/month)
- Health insurance
Affiliated Research Labs: Chalmers Biorefinery Infrastructure, Nature-Based Urban Design Hub
6. Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Networks – PhD in Bio-Inspired Robotics and Materials
EU Networks Examples:
- BioinspireS – Soft robotics and structural mimicry
- NATURESYS – Nature-inspired multi-scale engineering systems
Program Format:
- PhD training at multiple universities + industry labs
- Topics include adaptive sensing, smart biological surfaces, insect-inspired flight, and more
Funding:
- Salary €3,000–€3,500/month
- Research, mobility, and training allowances
- Three-year fully funded doctoral position
Next Call: Autumn 2024 for 2025 cohort
Eligibility: Early-stage researchers worldwide; must not have lived in host country for more than 12 months in last 3 years.
7. TU Delft – MSc and PhD Programs in Bio-Inspired Innovation
Program Pathways:
- MSc in Mechanical Engineering with Biomimetics Track
- PhD in Bio-Inspired Systems & Soft Robotics
Research Themes:
- Fish-fin propulsion in underwater drones
- Gecko-inspired adhesion systems
- Bio-inspired thermal regulation and architecture
Scholarships:
- TU Delft Excellence Scholarships (Justus & Louise van Effen)
- Holland Scholarship
- NWO-funded PhD positions
Funding Covers:
- Full tuition
- €1,300–€2,300/month stipend depending on degree level
- Access to advanced labs like the Bionanoscience Department
8. University of Zurich & ETH Zurich – MSc/PhD in Evolutionary and Bio-Inspired Engineering
Program Focus:
- Bio-systems engineering
- Biomimetic algorithms and swarm intelligence
- Mechanical design inspired by animals and plants
Scholarships Available:
- Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
- ETH Zurich Excellence Fellowship
- Cantonal or faculty-specific grants
Ideal Candidates: Engineering, life sciences, or CS graduates aiming to apply evolutionary principles and biological intelligence to hardware systems.
9. Politecnico di Milano – MSc in Biomimicry & Nature-Based Design Systems
Program:
- MSc in Design & Engineering (Biomimicry specialization via elective modules)
- Partnership with European Biomimicry Alliance and Biomimicry Institute
Scholarships Include:
- DSU Regional Scholarships (based on merit + need)
- Invest Your Talent in Italy – full funding for selected non-EU students
- Polimi Merit-Based Scholarships (up to full tuition + €10,000 stipend)
Research Themes:
- Parametric biomimetic design
- Energy-efficient structures modeled after natural geometries
10. BioM – The Bavarian Biotechnology Cluster Fellowships (Germany)
Focus: Support for research internships, master’s thesis projects, and early PhD work in bio-inspired health technologies and materials
Partner Institutions:
- LMU Munich
- TUM (Technical University of Munich)
- Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering
Funded Topics:
- Nature-inspired tissue scaffolds
- Bionic prosthetics
- Biomineralization for dental and orthopedic applications
Funding Package:
- €1,200–€1,800/month
- Travel support
- Laboratory access and mentorship
What Makes a Strong Application
Suggested Academic Backgrounds
- Mechanical, Electrical, or Materials Engineering
- Biophysics or Biology with Engineering electives
- Computer Science (with robotics or AI specialization)
Competitive Skills
- CAD design for biomimetic systems
- Programming for autonomous systems (Python, ROS)
- Familiarity with natural systems modeling
- Sustainability-focused thinking
Recommended Preparation
- Research papers or a thesis on bio-inspired topics
- Portfolios showing prototype designs, lab projects, or biomimicry case studies
- A motivation letter that shows both technical rigor and ecological thinking
As Europe continues to position itself as a leader in sustainable and biologically inspired technology, these scholarships offer entry points into labs, design studios, and research networks that are shaping future cities, machines, and materials through nature’s logic. For applicants with a multidisciplinary mindset and a systems approach to solving problems, bio-inspired engineering is a rare convergence of scientific precision and creative exploration.