Germany RIFS Fellowships 2027 Open for Applications

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, offering 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, including academia, government, media, business, and civil society. It is designed for 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 is seeking proposals that examine growing resistance to sustainability transitions, the role of justice and inequality in shaping public support, the influence of polarization and competing narratives, and new forms of collaboration that could advance sustainability goals.

Applicants are expected to 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 to ensure 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 are awarded 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
• Access to RIFS research networks and international collaborations
• Support with housing arrangements in Potsdam or Berlin
• Assistance with visa and residence procedures
• Guidance on health insurance and relocation matters
• Limited access to institute-managed apartments for fellows arriving from outside Europe

The fellowship normally lasts between six and twelve months and may be extended 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 are welcomed from all nationalities and from sectors that are 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, making the programme highly selective. Successful candidates are likely to 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 to 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.

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