Deadline:
February 01, 2025
Location(s)
Germany
Overview
Are you working academically or practically in climate protection or climate-relevant resource conservation in your country of origin – a non-European developing or transition country (see list of countries, PDF)? Then we invite you to apply for an International Climate Protection Fellowship from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation.
Details
The Humboldt Foundation aims to achieve a good balance between genders and a high level of diversity among its fellows in all areas. We therefore expressly invite female prospective leaders and members of underrepresented groups to apply.
We welcome all applications, regardless of ethnic, cultural or social background, gender identity, age, religion, worldview, disability or sexual orientation.
If you are a prospective leader you will do a one-year research project in Germany as part of your fellowship; if you are a postdoc, long-term academic research (12-24 months). It should focus on combating climate change, adaptation strategies, preserving ecosystems and biodiversity, or on the sustainable use of the seas and oceans. Sustainability topics relating to natural resources, resource-efficient consumption or urban development are also welcome.
We award up to 15 International Climate Protection Fellowships to prospective leaders working practically and up to five to postdocs each year. The fellowships are funded through the International Climate Initiative. The Initiative (IKI) became the responsibility of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) in 2022. The IKI programme cooperates with its founding ministry, the Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), as well as the Federal Foreign Office.
Programme objectives: The global challenge posed by climate change can only be met by cross-border international collaborations. By enabling future decision-makers and multipliers to share knowledge, methods, and techniques with specialist colleagues in Germany, the programme promotes this objective. Issues relating to practical applicability in the fellows’ own countries are also taken into account. In the spirit of the Agenda 2030 and the related Sustainable DevelopmentGoals, the programme would like to contribute to achieving these goals by fostering prospective leaders with their undertakings and projects to combat climate change,to develop and implement adaptation strategies,to preserve ecosystems and biodiversity as well as fostering the sustainable use of the oceans and seas. Furthermore, it addresses sustainability topics relating to natural resources, resource-efficient consumption and urban development. The programme also promotes the development of long-term contacts and collaboration with colleagues in Germany.
Opportunity is About
Eligibility
Candidates should be from:
Description of Ideal Candidate
Target group: The programme is aimed at those working in the field of climate protection or climate-related resource conservation in their country of origin; they should have leadership skills, which must be proven by references and convincingly demonstrated in the application. Prospective leaders from all disciplines who have been engaged in issues relating to climate change may apply.
Dates
Deadline: February 01, 2025
Cost/funding for participants
Fellowship specifications: The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation awards a monthly fellowship amount of 2,200 EUR, 2,500 EUR or 2,700 EUR, depending on the career stage, plus a mobility allowance and a subsidy towards the cost of medical and liability insurance. A lump sum for travel expenses and an initial subsidy are also paid. Before the start of the fellowship, the Humboldt Foundation provides an intensive German language course in Germany lasting one or two months (including for accompanying partners).
In addition, a family allowance for accompanying partners and/or children under 18 will be granted if they are staying in Germany for at least three months. The following benefits may also be applied for:
- a subsidy towards the cost of medical and liability insurance for an accompanying partner and/or children under the age of 18;
- a flat-rate allowance for single parents with accompanying children;
- an extension of the fellowship for research fellows accompanied by children or for a maternity period.
There are further support options for research fellows with disabilities or chronic illnesses.
Research stays outside Germany for a maximum of three months are possible under certain conditions, provided that these are required for carrying out the research (only outside the months in which compulsory events are planned).
Hosts in Germany can apply for an allowance for research costs to the value of 800 EUR per month (natural sciences, life sciences and engineering) or 500 EUR (humanities and socialsciences).
Upon successful completion of the stay in Germany, various forms of alumni sponsorship can be granted to alumni, particularly for promoting contact with collaborative partners in Germany.
Common programme activities allow fellows to gain an overview of specialist topics and important players in the fields of climate protection and climate-related resource conservation in Germany. Participation is obligatory.
Un-save Opportunity
Internships, scholarships, student conferences and competitions.
