RFPs: International Climate Protection Fellowship Program

The Humboldt Foundation aims to achieve a good balance between genders and a high level of diversity among its fellows in all areas. They therefore expressly invite female prospective leaders and members of underrepresented groups to apply.

They 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.

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 Development Goals, 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.

Benefits

• 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.

Funding Information

• 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).

Target Audience

• 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.

Eligibility Criteria 

• The International Climate Protection Fellowship is designed for prospective leaders working practically and postdocs. They invite you to apply for an International Climate Protection Fellowship if you:
  • engage with climate change issues
  • are a citizen of a non-European developing or transition country 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

Selection Criteria

• Academic and professional career to date (mobility, determination, expertise, academic success).
• Leadership skills (initial experience in leadership positions and/or appropriate references).
• Quality, originality and relevance of the research-based proposal (innovative idea, convincing selection of methods, clear focus and feasibility, relevance to climate protection or climate-related resource conservation, suitability of the chosen host, communication strategy).
• Future potential (professional and specialist development in the field of climate protection or climate-relevant resource conservation, career prospects).

Application Requirements

• First university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent), completed less than twelve years previously, counting back from the application deadline (1 February of each year);
• Leadership skills demonstrated by initial experience in leadership positions and appropriate references;
• Extensive work experience after the first university degree (at least 24 months at the application deadline) in the field of climate protection or climate-related resource conservation;
• Or alternatively a Master’s degree in any field (or comparable degree) plus at least twelve months of relevant professional experience related to climate issues after the first university degree;
• Conception of a research-based project in the field of climate protection or climate related resource conversation, agreed in advance with the host;
• A detailed statement by a host in Germany, including a mentoring agreement
• Two letters of recommendation by individuals who can give substantiated information on the candidate’s academic, professional and personal eligibility as well as his/her leadership potential;
• Citizenship of a programme country which is also the applicant’s habitual residence and place of work;
• Very good knowledge of English and/or German, documented by appropriate language certificates.

For more information, visit Alexander von Humboldt Foundation.