The RIFS Fellows Program 2028 is a fully funded international fellowship in Potsdam, Germany, hosted by the Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) at the GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences. Each year, up to 20 fellows from around the world spend 6 to 12 months at RIFS developing innovative projects that advance sustainability transformations. Fellows receive a monthly stipend (set by seniority and family circumstances), reimbursement of relocation and travel expenses, and support with housing, visas, health insurance, and school placements. Applications are open to people from every country and every sector of society: science, public administration, the private sector, civil society, media, and the arts. The 2027 call closed on 21 June 2026; the 2028 call dates will be announced on the official RIFS website.

  • Host Country: Germany
  • Host Institute: Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) at GFZ, Potsdam
  • Fellowship Duration: 6 to 12 months (up to 24 months in exceptional, well-justified cases)
  • Funding: Fully funded – monthly stipend plus relocation and travel support
  • Eligible Applicants: All nationalities; all sectors of society
  • Deadline: 2028 call dates to be announced (2027 call closed 21 June 2026)

About the RIFS Fellows Program 2028

The RIFS Fellows Program is one of the defining features of the Research Institute for Sustainability. Inspired by the Potsdam Memorandum of 2007, the program gathers ingenuity from academia, politics, business, and civil society to address the sustainability challenges of our time. RIFS was founded in 2009 as the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS) and has been affiliated with the GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences under its current name since 1 January 2023, making it part of the Helmholtz Association.

Fellows work closely with RIFS research groups, projects, and other fellows, pursuing their own innovative ideas on sustainability transformations. Since 2010, over 300 fellows from more than 50 countries have taken part, forming a large and growing global alumni network.

See also  Global Youth Impact Summit Paris 2027 (Fully Funded)

Each annual public call is geared toward topics on which RIFS wants to focus during the fellowship period. Applicants propose their own project ideas and identify at least one RIFS research group whose work their project connects to.

Benefits of the RIFS Fellows Program

Selected fellows receive:

  • A monthly stipend for the duration of the fellowship; the exact amount is determined by the fellow’s relative seniority and family circumstances.
  • Reimbursement of relocation and travel expenses (inbound and outbound), including the travel expenses of accompanying family members.
  • Access to a limited number of institute apartments in Potsdam for fellows not living in Germany or Europe at the time of application.
  • Support with housing, visa and residence titles, health insurance, and school placements for children.
  • Organizational and financial support for fellowship activities, plus a project budget within RIFS limits.
  • A place in an international research community and access to the RIFS alumni network of more than 300 fellows from over 50 countries.

Eligibility Criteria

Official eligibility requirements:

  • Background: Applications are welcome from science, public administration, the private sector, civil society, media, and the arts. Scientists are expected to hold a PhD or a similar level of experience when the fellowship starts; non-academic applicants should have at least three to five years of relevant work experience.
  • Nationality: Open to applicants from all countries.
  • Age: Applicants must be of legal age under German law (18 years).
  • Project fit: The proposed project must complement the institute’s work program and engage with the institute’s research themes and at least one research group.
  • Duration: The fellowship runs 6 to 12 months; stays under 6 months are excluded, and extensions up to 24 months are possible only in exceptional, well-justified cases.
  • Language: All application documents must be submitted in English.
See also  10 Scholarships for Punjabi Students in USA

How to Apply for the RIFS Fellows Program

  1. Watch for the annual call. RIFS issues a public call for applications each year for the following year’s intake. Check the official RIFS fellow program page for the 2028 call and its deadline.
  2. Align your proposal with RIFS research. Contact a RIFS research group leader early to discuss your project idea and confirm which research theme and group it connects to.
  3. Prepare your project proposal. Use the official template from the call. Describe your planned project, including title, abstract, description of work with intended outputs, a time plan, and an estimated budget. Do not include your name or personal information in the proposal, because it goes through double-blind external review.
  4. Prepare your CV. Keep it to a maximum of 3 pages highlighting your career steps and achievements. You may add an optional annex with publications, an artistic portfolio, or reference letters. All documents must be in English and submitted as single PDF files.
  5. Submit via the official portal. Upload your documents through the online application portal linked from the GFZ jobs page under “Fellow Programme.” Applications by email are not accepted. Submit early: the portal automatically closes at the published deadline and uploaded applications cannot be changed.
  6. Selection process. Applications go through three stages: an internal review, a double-blind external review by a jury, and interviews with the most promising candidates. Decisions are communicated a few months after the deadline, and fellowships start in the spring of the intake year.
See also  Johnston County Schools Review | Admission, Tuition, Requirements, Calendar

APPLY NOW FOR THE RIFS FELLOWS PROGRAM

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the RIFS Fellows Program?

The RIFS Fellows Program is an annual, fully funded fellowship at the Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) at GFZ in Potsdam, Germany. Up to 20 people from around the world are invited each year to spend 6 to 12 months developing innovative ideas and projects that advance sustainability transformations.

Is the RIFS Fellows Program fully funded?

Yes. Fellows receive a monthly stipend (the exact amount depends on seniority and family circumstances), reimbursement of relocation and travel expenses, access to limited institute apartments in Potsdam, and support with housing, visas, health insurance, and school placements for children.

Who can apply for the RIFS Fellows Program?

Applicants from all countries and all sectors can apply, including scientists, public administration professionals, private sector leaders, civil society experts, journalists, and artists. Scientists should hold a PhD or equivalent experience; non-academics should have at least 3 to 5 years of relevant work experience. All application documents must be in English.

When is the application deadline for the next RIFS Fellows Program call?

The 2027 call closed on 21 June 2026. The 2028 call and its deadline will be announced on the official RIFS fellow program page.

How long does the RIFS fellowship last?

Fellowships are granted for 6 to 12 months. In exceptional, well-justified cases, a fellowship may be extended up to 24 months; this decision is made during the fellowship.

Do I need to know German or take an IELTS test?

No German is required. All application documents must be submitted in English, and the official call does not list a language test score such as IELTS among its requirements.

More Germany Fellowships

If you are interested in more research fellowships in Germany: