Alexander von Humboldt Foundation International Climate Protection Fellowship

Application Deadline: 1 February 2023.

Are you working academically or practically in climate protection or climate-relevant resource conservation in your home country – a non-European developing or transition country? Then we invite you to apply for an International Climate Protection Fellowship from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation.

If you are a prospective leader you will do a one-year research-related 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.

 The fellowships are funded through the International Climate Initiative of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV).

Requirements:

• explore questions in the natural or engineering sciences or address legal, economic, health-related or societal aspects of climate change
• 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

Benefits

• a monthly fellowship of €2,170, €2,470 or €2,670 in the programme line for prospective leaders – depending on your training and career level; a monthly fellowship of €2,670 in the programme line for postdoctoral researchers
• 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

Host institutes receive a monthly allowance for research costs of 800 euros for projects in the natural and engineering sciences or 500 euros for projects in the humanities and social sciences.

Selection Procedure:

A selection committee comprised of 15 researchers from Germany and non-European developing or transition countries decides who will be awarded an International Climate Protection Fellowship. The peer review is conducted largely on the basis of three selection criteria:

• academic and professional career (determination, mobility, professional qualifications, academic success, only in the case of applicants with a doctorate: quality of key publications)
• leadership skills in the area of climate protection
• research project (quality, originality, feasibility, relevance to climate protection, practical relevance in the recipient’s country of origin)

How to Apply:

Before applying, you should agree the details of your independently developed research-based project with your chosen academic host.

Please submit the necessary application documents to the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation online only.

• research-based project: Outline the project you have developed yourself and agreed with your intended host prior to applying. Bear in mind that the following criteria are important for selection: a convincing choice of methods; clear focus and feasibility; relevance to the fields of climate protection or climate-relevant resource conservation; feasibility of conducting the project at the chosen host institution; practicability of the communication strategy
• extensive statement including confirmation of support from your host in Germany
• two letters of recommendation (not more than 12 months old) from individuals who can provide information on your professional, personal and/or academic background

The online application form 

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation International Climate Protection Fellowship 2023