The RIFS Fellow Programme 2027 is open now — and the deadline is 21 June 2026 at 23:59 CET. If you are a researcher, policymaker, artist, journalist, civil society actor, or private sector professional working on a sustainability transformation project, the Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) at the GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences is offering a fully funded fellowship in Germany.
RIFS selects around ten fellows each year and provides them with a monthly stipend, housing support in Potsdam or Berlin, relocation and visa assistance, and access to its research networks. Fellowships run for 6 to 12 months initially, with possible extension to 24 months, and the 2027 cohort begins in Spring 2027 — at the earliest on 1 April 2027.
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RIFS Fellow Programme Summary
| Scholarship Overview | Scholarship Details |
|---|---|
| Scholarship Name ⇒ | RIFS Fellow Programme |
| Host Country ⇒ | Germany |
| Study Level ⇒ | Fellowships |
| Benefits ⇒ | Fully Funded — Monthly Stipend, Housing Support, Relocation Assistance, Visa Support, Research Network Access |
| Funded By ⇒ | Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS), GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences |
| Eligible Countries ⇒ | All Countries |
| Application Deadline ⇒ | 21 June 2026, 23:59 CET |
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About the RIFS Fellow Programme
The Research Institute for Sustainability conducts interdisciplinary research on sustainability challenges and development pathways. The Fellow Programme brings together people from science and academia, public administration, civil society, the private sector, media, and the arts — all working on projects connected to sustainability transformation.
For the 2027 cohort, RIFS has chosen the theme “Sustainability in Tough Times — How to Move Forwards in Times of Backlash?” The institute invites proposals on topics such as backlash against sustainability transitions, justice concerns and resistance to sustainability policies, polarisation and public perceptions of sustainability, emotions and competing sustainability narratives, new alliances for sustainability action, the role of transdisciplinary research in reducing sustainability conflicts, and the connections between knowledge, political power, and sustainability transitions.
Every project must connect to at least two RIFS research groups. Do not treat this as a minor formality. RIFS evaluates your proposal based not only on the quality of the idea but also on how well it aligns with the institute’s existing research structure. RIFS strongly encourages applicants to contact RIFS researchers before applying to confirm that their project genuinely aligns with ongoing work.
RIFS promotes diversity and equal opportunity across nationality, gender, ethnic or social background, religion, sexual orientation, age, and physical characteristics. RIFS strongly encourages women to apply and gives preferential consideration to applicants with disabilities.
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What the RIFS Fellow Programme Covers
Selected fellows receive:
- A fellowship stipend, paid monthly for the duration of the fellowship
- Organisational and financial support to advance their project
- Opportunities to collaborate with international experts within the RIFS network
- Access to RIFS research networks and ongoing institute activities
- Housing support in Potsdam or Berlin
- Assistance with relocation processes
- Visa and residence permit support
- Support with school placement and health insurance, where relevant to the fellow’s situation
- Participation in sustainability research and policy discussions at RIFS
No specific stipend figure is published in the scholarship listing. Confirm the current monthly amount with RIFS directly — either through the FAQ section or by contacting the programme team — as this affects how you plan your relocation budget alongside the housing support provided.
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Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the RIFS Fellow Programme 2027, you must meet the following:
- You may be from any country — there is no nationality restriction.
- You may come from any sector — academia, government, civil society, media, the arts, or the private sector- and are all eligible.
- Your proposed project must relate directly to sustainability transformation.
- Your project must complement the work of at least two RIFS research groups.
- Submit all required documents in English.
- Use the official project proposal template, as RIFS will not consider proposals submitted in any other format.
- Submit your application through the official application portal. The official online application portal. Applications sent by email are not accepted, regardless of circumstances.
This fellowship has no formal degree requirement — eligibility depends on the relevance and quality of your proposed project and your professional background, not on holding a specific qualification.
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Required Documents
Prepare the following, all as separate PDF files in English:
- Project proposal, using the official RIFS template
- Curriculum Vitae, maximum 3 pages
- Optional annex — publications, an artistic portfolio, or other supporting material relevant to your project
A practical warning: the 3-page CV limit is a hard constraint, not a suggestion. Applicants from academic or research backgrounds often default to a full academic CV listing every publication and presentation — this will not fit, and a CV that exceeds the limit signals you have not followed the application guidelines closely. Select only what is directly relevant to your proposed project and trim everything else.
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How to Apply
- Visit the official RIFS fellowship application portal.
- Review the fellowship guidelines and the FAQ section in full before drafting your proposal.
- Contact RIFS researchers directly to discuss whether your project aligns with at least two of their research groups. This step is strongly recommended and shouldn’t be skipped.
- Prepare your project proposal using the official template.
- Prepare your CV (maximum 3 pages) and any optional annex documents.
- Convert all documents to PDF format, each as a separate file.
- Submit your application through the online application form before the deadline.
- If shortlisted, prepare for the review and interview process.
RIFS is running two webinars to guide applicants through the process: 18 May 2026 and 1 June 2026. If you are serious about applying, attend at least one — these webinars are where RIFS typically clarifies how proposals are matched to research groups and what reviewers look for at each stage.
Application Review Process
The review happens in three stages:
Stage One — Internal review of all applications, with shortlisted candidates selected for further review.
Stage Two — External review of shortlisted project proposals by an independent jury.
Stage Three — Interviews with selected candidates, if necessary. Interviews are expected to take place in November 2026.
RIFS announces final decisions in November or early December 2026 — meaning applicants face a gap of roughly five months between the application deadline and a final outcome. Plan your other commitments with this timeline in mind, particularly if you are considering this fellowship alongside other opportunities with earlier start dates.
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Application Deadline
21 June 2026, 23:59 CET
Central European Time (CET, UTC+1) is the same as West Africa Time (WAT, UTC+1) during this period — there is no time difference for Nigerian applicants to account for. The deadline of 23:59 CET on 21 June is the same as 23:59 WAT on 21 June. Submit your application well before this time — online portals frequently experience heavy traffic in the final hours before a competitive fellowship deadline.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the RIFS Fellow Programme fully funded?
Yes. Fellows receive a monthly stipend, housing support in Potsdam or Berlin, relocation assistance, visa and residence support, and where necessary, support with school placement and health insurance. No specific stipend amount is published — confirm the current figure through the official FAQ or by contacting RIFS directly.
Can Nigerian applicants apply for the RIFS Fellow Programme?
Yes. The programme is open to applicants from all countries, all sectors, and all professional backgrounds. Nigerian researchers, policymakers, civil society actors, journalists, and artists working on sustainability transformation projects are all eligible to apply, provided their project connects to at least two RIFS research groups.
Do I need an academic background to apply for the RIFS Fellow Programme?
No. The programme explicitly welcomes researchers and academics, government officials, civil society actors, journalists and media professionals, artists and creatives, and private sector professionals. What matters is the relevance of your project to sustainability transformation and its fit with RIFS’s research groups — not a specific degree or academic title.
How long does the RIFS Fellow Programme last?
Fellowships are awarded for an initial period of 6 to 12 months, with the possibility of extension up to 24 months depending on funding availability and project progress. Successful fellows begin the programme in Spring 2027, with 1 April 2027 as the earliest possible start date.
Do I need to contact RIFS researchers before applying?
It is strongly encouraged. Since every project must complement the work of at least two RIFS research groups, contacting researchers in advance helps you confirm that your proposal genuinely fits within ongoing RIFS work before you invest time in the full proposal. Applicants who skip this step risk submitting proposals that do not align with any current research group, which weakens their application at the internal review stage.
When will I find out if I’ve been selected?
The review process runs in three stages: internal review, external jury review, and interviews if necessary. Interviews are expected in November 2026, with final decisions announced in November or early December 2026 — roughly five months after the application deadline.
Disclaimer: All scholarship details, deadlines, award values, and eligibility criteria were verified from the official RIFS Fellow Programme website as of June 2026. Information is subject to change without notice. Always confirm the latest details directly on the official source before submitting your application.
Official Application Portal
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