Germany RIFS Fellowships 2027

Posted 2026-06-17 10:00:12

Germany RIFS Fellowships 2027

At a time when sustainability policies are facing political resistance across many parts of the world, Germany’s Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) is inviting researchers, policymakers, artists, journalists, and civil society leaders to spend up to a year developing solutions to some of the most contested sustainability challenges of our era. The 2027 RIFS Fellow Programme will bring a small cohort of international fellows to Potsdam. It offers financial support, research collaboration opportunities, and access to one of Europe’s leading sustainability institutes.

The RIFS Fellow Programme 2027 is a funded international fellowship hosted in Germany for professionals from diverse sectors. These sectors include academia, government, media, business, and civil society. The programme targets individuals whose proposed projects align with sustainability transformation research and can contribute to the institute’s ongoing work. Selected fellows receive a stipend, institutional support, networking opportunities, and assistance with relocation and housing.

A Fellowship Focused on Sustainability in a Time of Global Backlash

For the 2027 intake, the Research Institute for Sustainability at the GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences has chosen a particularly timely theme: “Sustainability in Tough Times – How to Move Forwards in Times of Backlash?” The institute seeks proposals that examine several critical areas:

Growing resistance to sustainability transitions
The role of justice and inequality in shaping public support
The influence of polarization and competing narratives
New forms of collaboration that could advance sustainability goals

Applicants should propose projects that complement the work of at least two RIFS research groups. The institute strongly encourages potential candidates to establish contact with relevant researchers before submitting an application. This ensures a strong thematic fit.

What Financial Support Do Fellows Receive

Unlike many academic fellowships that focus solely on researchers, the RIFS programme provides support to professionals from a broad range of sectors. Fellows receive a stipend, although the exact amount varies according to professional seniority and family circumstances.

Additional support may include:

Organisational and Financial Assistance: For fellowship activities
Research Network Access: Connection to RIFS and international collaborations
Housing Support: Assistance with arrangements in Potsdam or Berlin
Visa and Residence Help: Guidance through administrative procedures
Health Insurance and Relocation Support: Advice and limited assistance
Institute Managed Apartments: Limited access for fellows arriving from outside Europe

The fellowship normally lasts between six and twelve months. It may extend up to twenty four months depending on available funding and project requirements.

Who Has the Strongest Chance of Selection

One of the distinguishing features of the programme is its openness. Applications welcome themselves from all nationalities and from sectors not traditionally associated with academic fellowships. Scientists, government officials, private sector professionals, journalists, artists, and civil society leaders can all compete for places.

That openness does not mean the competition is easy. RIFS typically selects only around ten fellows annually. This makes the programme highly selective. Successful candidates will likely be those who can demonstrate both professional achievement and a clear connection between their proposed project and the institute’s sustainability research agenda.

Why RIFS Matters in the Sustainability Research Landscape

Based in Potsdam, Germany, the Research Institute for Sustainability has built an international reputation for transdisciplinary and transformative research. Rather than studying sustainability challenges in isolation, the institute works closely with governments, businesses, civil society organizations, and scientific communities. Together, they develop practical pathways toward sustainable development.

For fellows, this means working in an environment where research is expected to influence policy discussions and real world decision making. The programme’s collaborative structure also creates opportunities to engage with experts from multiple disciplines and sectors.

How to Apply

Click Here to Apply

Application Deadline

The last date to apply for the RIFS Fellow Programme 2027 is 21 June 2026.