International Funding Opportunities /

International Climate Protection Fellowship

The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation invites researchers working academically or practically in climate protection or climate-relevant resource conservation to apply for an International Climate Protection Fellowship. The fellowships, funded under International Climate Initiative (IKI), target prospective leaders and postdoctoral researchers from non-European transition and developing countries, who possess extensive practical work experience, to implement a research proposal in Germany.

Deadline:

1 February 2025

Benefit:

The programme offers you

  • as a prospective leader working practically a monthly fellowship amount of 2,200€, 2,500€ or 2,700€ plus ancillary benefits – depending on your training and career level; as a postdoc, a monthly fellowship amount of 2,700€ plus ancillary benefits
  • Individual support during your stay in Germany
  • Additional financial support for example for accompanying family members, for travel expenses, for full private health insurance, or for a German language course
  • A three-week introductory event where you can connect with other climate protection fellows, visit businesses and research institutions, and attend cultural events in Germany
  • Extensive alumni sponsorship, in particular to support long-term connections with your cooperation partners in Germany over the duration of your entire professional career

*Note: Hosts receive a monthly allowance for research costs of 800€ for projects in the natural and engineering sciences or 500€ for projects in the humanities and social sciences.

Duration:

  • Prospective leaders: 1 year
  • Postdoctoral researchers: 12-24 months

Research Areas:

  • Climate protection
  • Climate-relevant resource conservation

Eligibility:

The Fellowship programme invites you to apply if you:

  • engage with climate change issues.
  • are a citizen of a non-European developing or transition country (see list of countries, PDF) and have been predominantly living and working there.
  • have initial experience in a leadership role and corresponding leadership skills.
  • have very good knowledge of English and/or German.

In addition, you meet the following criteria as a prospective leader or postdoc:

Prospective leaders

You may apply for an International Climate Protection Fellowship as a prospective leader if you:

  • have completed your first academic degree (Bachelor’s or comparable degree) during the last 12 years (cut-off date is the application deadline on 1 February)
  • have extensive professional experience, at least 24 months on the application deadline – or alternatively a Master’s degree in any field (or comparable degree) plus at least 12 months of relevant professional experience related to climate issues after the first university degree.

Postdoctoral researchers

You may apply for an International Climate Protection Fellowship as a postdoc researcher if you:

  • have completed your first academic degree (Bachelor or comparable degree) during the last 12 years (cut-off date is the application deadline on 1 February).
  • have completed your doctorate no more than four years ago by the application deadline (1 February) or will complete it until 31 August of the respective selection year.
  • must have published in academic journals and publishing houses that are reviewed according to international standards.

Selection of potential hosts:

There is a wide variety of institutions in the field of climate protection or climate-related resource conservation in Germany where the potential hosts work. We have compiled a selection that has, in most cases, already hosted Climate Protection Fellows. In some cases, you will find links to specific examples of research projects conducted:

For more information:

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