Global Research Funding: RIFS Fellow Programme (Potsdam) Launches 2026 Call
Join our WhatsApp Group
🌍 PROGRAM OVERVIEW & TIMELINE
- Host Institution: Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) at GFZ
- Location: Potsdam, Germany
- Thematic Focus: “Sustainability in Tough Times”
- Target Audience: Academics, Journalists, Politicians, Artists, and Civil Society Leaders
- Application Deadline: 21 June 2026
The Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) in Potsdam, Germany formerly known as the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS) has officially launched its latest global call for applications under the prestigious RIFS Fellow Programme. The thematic umbrella for this cycle is “Sustainability in Tough Times,” designed to attract highly qualified, transdisciplinary innovators capable of co-creating solutions to modern environmental, political, and socio-economic crises.
Inspired by the landmark Potsdam Memorandum, the program brings roughly 20 international fellows to the institute each year. Selected professionals gain the opportunity to develop their independent research and action plans within a world-class institutional ecosystem spanning the wider Potsdam and Berlin research landscapes.
Program Architecture and Transdisciplinary Scope
The RIFS Fellow Programme rejects rigid academic silos, intentionally sourcing expertise from all disciplines and sectors of society. Fellows function as a core asset for the institute, enhancing its transdisciplinary methodologies and building communication bridges between research networks and active political, economic, and social stakeholders.
Target Profiles:
- Academia & Science: Postdoctoral researchers, senior scientists, and systems thinkers analyzing ecological transitions or resource governance.
- Civil Society & Policy: Non-governmental organization (NGO) strategists, public administrators, and practicing politicians.
- Media & Creative Industries: Investigative journalists and environmental artists bringing innovative visual or narrative approaches to climate resilience.
The Klaus Töpfer Sustainability Fellowship
As a centerpiece of the broader RIFS Fellow Programme, the institute awards the exclusive Klaus Töpfer Sustainability Fellowship once per year. Named in honor of the late Prof. Dr. Klaus Töpfer the founding director of IASS/RIFS and former Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) this elite fellowship supports a single high-potential individual with many years of experience in sustainability sectors.
The selected RIFS Fellow Programme applicants will join a prominent lineage of international changemakers, which includes recent policy and industrial specialists:
| Tenure Period | Appointed Klaus Töpfer Fellow | Core Research Focus Area |
| 2022 | Prof. Louis Kotzé | Environmental Law and Earth System Governance |
| 2023 | Dr. Nino Jordan | Environmental Policy and Alternative Governance |
| 2024 | Florian Lennert | Sustainable Ocean Use and Blue-Green Economies |
| 2025 – 2026 | Adina-Iuliana Deacu | Redefining Profit-Driven Corporate Business Models |
ALSO READ: Apply for the full-time WFP Consultant (Trainer) position with the World Food Programme in Kampala, Uganda
The RIFS Global Alumni Network
RIFS Fellow Programme upon successful completion of their tenure in Germany, participants are integrated into the expanding RIFS Fellow Alumni Network. This international community comprises over 300 fellows representing more than 40 countries.
Alumni Ecosystem Benefits:
- Institutional Access: Eligibility to be appointed as an Affiliate Scholar to maintain long-term institutional ties.
- Collaborative Platforms: Direct opportunities to pitch guest publications for the RIFS corporate website and editorial blog.
- Knowledge Exchange: Personal invitations to exclusive Tuesday Talks, peer mentoring programs for young scientists, and international fellow assemblies.
Application Instructions and Portal Details
Prospective RIFS Fellow Programme global applicants must submit their full portfolios through the dedicated RIFS electronic submission portal. The evaluation board scores proposals based on thematic alignment with the “Sustainability in Tough Times” mandate, originality, and the applicant’s capacity to engage across science-policy interfaces.
Required Documentation:
- A comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV) detailing professional history, publications, or creative campaigns.
- A detailed research project proposal mapping out deliverables, timelines, and requested collaborative areas within the Potsdam research cluster.
- Relevant recommendation frameworks or professional references.
All digital portfolios must be fully compiled and uploaded before the absolute closing date on 21 June 2026.
Disclaimer: The Business Pulse shares verified opportunities from trusted sources. We are not a recruiting agency and do not request any payment for applications.
Leave a Reply