Are you an experienced professional dedicated to sustainable development and eager to drive meaningful change? The Klaus Töpfer Sustainability Fellowship 2026 at the Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS), GFZ Potsdam is now open for applications!
This German fellowship seeks mid-career professionals from around the world who have worked for at least ten (10) years on sustainability-related issues and aspire to build bridges between science, politics, and society.
About the Fellowship
Named after Prof. Dr. Klaus Töpfer, the founding director of the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS), this fellowship supports innovative leaders who bring new perspectives from diverse fields such as science, the arts, civil society, business, and politics. It aims to foster transformative projects with long-term impact that address critical sustainability challenges.
The fellowship is one (01) year long, starting in the first quarter of 2026, and offers flexibility, allowing for interval-based participation to accommodate personal and professional commitments. However, fellows are expected to conduct their work on-site in Potsdam, Germany, while contributing actively to the research and collaborative initiatives at RIFS.
Fellowship Benefits
Selected fellows will receive:
✅ A monthly stipend for financial support during the fellowship
✅ Up to €30,000 in discretionary funding for travel, publications, workshops, or artistic productions
✅ Access to a dynamic research environment at RIFS, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange
Who Should Apply?
This fellowship is ideal for highly talented professionals who:
- Have at least 10 years of experience in sustainability-related work
- Bring interdisciplinary expertise from diverse fields such as science, policy, arts, business, or civil society
- Have international experience across multiple countries and cultures
- Propose a project that effectively tackles sustainability challenges through innovative approaches
How to Apply?
Interested candidates must submit their applications online by 31st March 2025, 23:59 CEST. The following documents are required:
- Letter of Motivation (max. 6,500 characters) – Explain your expertise, bridging different sectors, and how you learned about this fellowship.
- Project Proposal (max. 15,000 characters) – Outline your project’s title, objectives, research fields, work plan, expected impact, and budget requirements.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) (max. 10,000 characters) – Highlight your career path and top five achievements.
- Two Letters of Recommendation – Provide referees’ names and contact details.
Applications will be reviewed by an expert selection committee with external advisors, and the fellowship will be awarded in late 2025.
Why Apply?
The Klaus Töpfer Sustainability Fellowship is a unique opportunity for professionals to develop impactful projects, collaborate with leading sustainability experts, and gain international recognition. If you’re passionate about transforming society towards sustainability, this fellowship is your chance to make a difference!
Apply: https://www.rifs-potsdam.de/en/node/11201.
Application Deadline: 31st March 2025, 23:59 CEST.