Are you passionate about sustainability and ready to make a global impact? The prestigious Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) at GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences in Potsdam, Germany, has officially launched its Call for Applications for the 2026 RIFS Fellow Programme – and it could be your gateway to developing groundbreaking ideas for a sustainable future!
What is the RIFS Fellow Programme?
The RIFS Fellow Programme is a transformative and international opportunity that brings together up to 20 exceptional individuals each year from around the globe to collaboratively tackle the world’s most pressing sustainability challenges. Fellows join the RIFS community for 6 to 12 months (extendable to 24 months in special cases), working in close collaboration with research groups, projects, and peers in a truly interdisciplinary and co-creative environment.
Whether you come from academia, public policy, the private sector, civil society, media, or the arts—this programme empowers you to turn innovative ideas into impactful outcomes that shape sustainable transformations worldwide.
RIFS Fellowship Benefits
Successful applicants of RIFS fellowship program will receive:
- Monthly stipend, adjusted based on experience and family situation
- Relocation and travel reimbursements, including for family members
- Support with accommodation, visa/residency assistance, school placements, and insurance
- Access to RIFS housing in Potsdam (limited availability)
- Full integration into an international network of 300+ former fellows from over 50 countries.
Who Can Apply?
The RIFS Fellow Programme encourages applications from all sectors and regions of the world, with a strong focus on diversity and inclusion.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Academic Applicants: Must have a PhD or equivalent experience by the start of the fellowship.
- Non-Academic Applicants: Should have at least 3 to 5 years of relevant professional experience in their respective fields.
- Applicants must propose projects aligned with RIFS’ research themes and groups.
- Preference is given to individuals from regions without established centers for Japanese arts or sustainability studies.
What Kind of Projects Are Supported?
Applicants can propose projects across a wide range of activities, including:
- Scientific research
- Policy recommendations
- Sustainable business model development
- Artistic expressions
- Public outreach and education
- Engagement in social, economic, or political discourses
Projects must complement RIFS’ overarching Research Themes and at least one relevant Research Group. Multidisciplinary or multi-group proposals are a bonus!
Submit Your Application: https://www.rifs-potsdam.de/en/node/11440
Application Deadline
The last date to apply for the RIFS Fellow Programme 2026 is 9th June 2025 at 23:59 CET.
Attend the Info Webinars
RIFS will hold two webinars to assist applicants:
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- 12th May 2025
- 26th May 2025.
