If you’ve ever dreamed of collaborating with world-class researchers, reshaping the future of sustainability, and living in the heart of Europe, your moment is here! The Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) in Germany has officially opened the gates to its 2026 Fellow Programme — and yes, it’s open to applicants from around the world, regardless of academic or professional background.
This is not just another academic residency. It’s a cross-sectoral fellowship calling upon thought-leaders, innovators, policy-makers, civil servants, entrepreneurs, artists, and advocates ready to drive transformative sustainability action on a global scale.
Why Apply to the RIFS Fellow Programme?
- Up to 20 Global Fellows Selected Each Year
- Stipend Included – Amount based on experience and family circumstances
- Relocation Costs Covered, including family travel
- Furnished Housing Options in Potsdam (subject to availability)
- Unmatched Interdisciplinary Environment with over 300 alumni from 50+ countries
- Six to Twelve Months of Fellowship, with a possibility to extend up to 24 months
What Makes This Fellowship Unique?
The RIFS Fellow Programme isn’t confined to academia. Here’s who they welcome:
- Scientists with a PhD (or equivalent experience)
- Non-academic professionals with 3–5+ years of impactful work
- Voices from media, arts, public policy, private sector & civil society
- Visionaries with a passion for sustainability transformation.
Your project can be academic, artistic, or policy-oriented. Whether you’re sculpting an environmental awareness installation, engineering green tech, or writing a policy paper to decarbonize urban transport — RIFS wants to hear from you.
Thematic Fit Is Key
To succeed, your proposed project should align with at least one of RIFS’s three Research Themes and one or more Research Groups. Explore their themes, connect with RIFS researchers (group leaders preferred), and craft a visionary yet actionable proposal.
Tip: Applicants with strong thematic connections and outreach intentions get an edge.
Apply: Submit Rifs Fellowship Application here.
The last date to apply for the RIFS Fellow Programme 2026 is 9 June 2025, with applications due by 23:59 Central European Standard Time (CET). Applications must be submitted exclusively through the official online application portal. Following submission, applications will undergo an internal review phase, after which selected proposals will advance to a double-blind external review.
Final interviews with shortlisted candidates are scheduled to take place in October and November 2025. The final selection results will be announced in November or early December 2025, and successful fellows will be expected to begin their fellowship in Spring 2026, with the earliest possible start date being 1 April 2026.