Germany RIFS Fellow Programme 2026 at GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences
Are you driven by a deep passion for sustainability and eager to make a global impact? The esteemed Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) at the GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences in Potsdam, Germany, has officially launched its Call for Applications for the highly anticipated 2026 RIFS Fellow Programme. This prestigious opportunity invites visionary individuals to develop groundbreaking ideas and strategies aimed at fostering a sustainable future.
As a participant in this transformative program, you will engage with leading experts in the field, access invaluable resources, and collaborate on innovative projects that tackle pressing environmental challenges. If you’re ready to contribute to a worldwide movement for sustainability and unleash your creativity, this could be your chance to make a meaningful difference! Don’t miss out on the opportunity to be part of a pioneering initiative that aims to reshape our planet’s future.
About the RIFS Fellow Programme
The RIFS Fellow Programme is a groundbreaking international initiative that unites up to 20 outstanding individuals annually from across the world to work together on addressing the most urgent sustainability issues. Fellows become part of the RIFS community for a duration of 6 to 12 months (which can be extended to 24 months in exceptional circumstances), collaborating closely with research teams, initiatives, and colleagues in a genuinely interdisciplinary and co-creative setting.
Regardless of whether you hail from academia, public policy, the private sector, civil society, media, or the arts, this program enables you to convert innovative concepts into significant results that drive sustainable changes globally.
RIFS Fellowship Benefits
Applicants who are successful in the RIFS fellowship program will obtain:
- Monthly allowance, modified according to experience and family circumstances.
- Reimbursements for relocation and travel expenses, including those for family members
- Assistance with housing, visa/residency support, educational placements, and insurance.
- Entry to RIFS housing in Potsdam (restricted availability)
- Complete immersion in a global network of more than 300 alumni from over 50 nations.
Eligibility Requirements
The RIFS Fellow Programme invites applications from every sector and region globally, placing a significant emphasis on diversity and inclusion.
- Academic Candidates: Should possess a PhD or comparable experience at the beginning of the fellowship.
- Non-Academic Applicants: Must possess a minimum of 3 to 5 years of applicable work experience in their specific areas.
- Applicants should suggest projects that align with RIFS’ research themes and groups.
- Priority is assigned to those from areas lacking recognized centers for Japanese arts or sustainability research.
Funding of Projects
Candidates may suggest projects covering a diverse array of activities, such as:
- Scientific research
- Policy recommendations
- Sustainable business model development
- Artistic expressions
- Public outreach and education
- Engagement in social, economic, or political discourses
Projects should align with RIFS’ primary Research Themes and involve at least one pertinent Research Group. Proposals that involve multiple disciplines or groups are a plus!
How to Apply for Germany RIFS Fellow Programme 2026
Deadline for Applications: The final date to submit applications for the RIFS Fellow Programme 2026 is 9th June 2025 at 23:59 CET.
Info Webinars
RIFS plans to conduct two webinars to support applicants:
- 12th May 2025
- May 26, 2025
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