RIFS Fellows Program 2027 in Germany (Fully Funded)

Applications are now open for the 2027 RIFS Fellows Program in Germany. This fully funded international fellowship welcomes applicants from all over the world to spend 6 to 12 months in Potsdam, Germany, conducting research and developing innovative ideas focused on sustainability transformation.

The fellowship is hosted by the Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS), where selected fellows will work alongside experts and professionals from different sectors. Every year, around 20 fellows from various countries participate in the program.

The fellowship is open to applicants from diverse professional backgrounds, including science, public policy, media, business, civil society, and the arts. There is no application fee, and IELTS is not required.

RIFS Fellows Program 2027 Details

Host Country: Germany
Location: Potsdam
Duration: 6 to 12 Months
Funding Type: Fully Funded
Application Deadline: 21 June 2026

Financial Benefits

Selected fellows will receive:

Round-trip travel expenses to and from Germany
Travel support for accompanying family members
Monthly stipend for living expenses
Relocation assistance
Support with accommodation and visa arrangements
Health insurance coverage

Research Areas

RIFS encourages applications from professionals and experts working in:

Science and research
Public administration
Private sector
Civil society organizations
Media and journalism
Arts and culture

Fellowship Focus Areas

Applicants’ proposed projects should align with one of the following RIFS research themes:

Sustainability Transformations and Society
Advancing Transdisciplinarity and Co-Creation
Transforming Human-Earth Interactions

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the RIFS Fellows Program 2027, applicants must meet the following requirements:

Open to applicants from all countries
Scientists should hold a PhD or have equivalent research experience
Non-academic professionals should have at least 3–5 years of relevant work experience
Professionals from media, arts, policy, civil society, and business sectors are encouraged to apply
Applicants should demonstrate a strong interest in sustainability transformation

Required Documents

Applicants will need to prepare the following documents: