International Climate Protection Fellowships – Alexander von Humboldt Foundation

With the International Climate Protection Fellowships, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation enables prospective leaders working practically to implement a research-based proposal in the field of climate protection or climate-related resource conservation during a one-year stay in Germany.

Up to 15 International Climate Protection Fellowships are granted annually, funded under the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety’s (BMU) International Climate Initiative.

The fellowships target prospective leaders from non European transition and developing countries, who possess extensive work experience outside academia.

Candidates draw up their own research-based proposal which they then implement in collaboration with a host in Germany.

The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation runs the programme in cooperation with the Federation of German Industry (BDI), the Centre for International Postgraduate Studies in Environmental Management (CIPSEM) at TU Dresden, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), the Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (DBU), the Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the Renewables Academy AG (RENAC).

International Climate Protection Fellowships – Programme 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, particularly by taking account of issues relating to practical applicability in the fellows’ own countries.

In the spirit of the Agenda 2030 and the related Sustainable Development Goals, the programme seeks to contribute to the achievement of 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 and to foster 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 promotes the development of long-term contacts and collaboration with colleagues in Germany.

Target Group

Those applying for this programme must be working in the field of climate protection or climate-related resource conservation; they should have proven leadership skills, which must be convincingly demonstrated in the application and supported by appropriate references.

In addition to applicants with a background in the natural and engineering sciences, candidates who have been engaged in legal, economic, health-related and societal issues relating to climate change are encouraged to apply for this programme.

Application Requirements

  • First university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent), completed less than 12 years previously, counting back from the end of the application period
  • Leadership skills demonstrated by initial experience in leadership positions and/or appropriate references
  • Extensive work experience (at least 48 months at the time of application) in the field of climate protection or climate-related resource conservation
  • Choice of a research-based project in the field of climate protection or climate-related resource conversation
  • A detailed statement by a host in Germany, including a mentoring agreement; details of the proposal must be discussed with the prospective host prior to application
  • Citizenship of a non-European transition or developing 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
  • Two expert references by individuals qualified to comment on the candidate’s professional, personal and, if applicable, academic eligibility as well as his/her leadership potential.

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 (convincing selection of methods, clear focus and feasibility, relevance to climate protection or climate-related resource conservation, viability of both the host institution chosen and the concomitant communication strategy)
  • Future potential (further development in academia and industry, career prospects)

Graduates who are interested in completing postgraduate studies, a doctoral dissertation or a training period in Germany should apply to the programmes offered by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) or other funding organizations.

Fellowship Specifications

  • The monthly fellowship amount – depending on career stage – is €2,170, €2,470 or €2,670 for fellows. This includes a mobility lump sum and a contribution towards health and liability insurance.
  • Common programme activities allow fellows to gain an overview of specialist topics and important players in the fields of climate protection and climate-related resource conservation in Germany. Participation is obligatory.
  • Fellowships may be extended by up to three months.

Additional Benefits

  • Allowance for research costs amounting to €800 per month for research-based proposals in the natural and engineering sciences and €500 for proposals in the humanities and social sciences.
  • Language fellowship for a one- to two-month intensive German language course in Germany immediately prior to the fellowship. When a fellowship has been granted, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation may provide financial support for improving fellows’ existing German language skills while they are still in their own countries. Fellows with little or no knowledge of German are strongly advised to take a two-month intensive language course in Germany.
  • Lump sum for travel expenses if the costs are not borne by a third party.
  • Europe allowance for a maximum of one to two months spent researching at an institution in another European country during the fellowship, provided that this is necessary to carry out the research-based project in question.
  • Family allowances for visits by family members staying at least three months (up to €346 per month for the marital partner and up to €289 EUR per month for each child).
  • Allowances for single parents accompanied by children under the age of 18 who are staying at least three months (€400 per month for the first child, €100 per month for every additional child).
  • Extension of the fellowship by up to three months if children under the age of 12 accompany the fellow to Germany.
  • Extensive alumni funding after successfully completing the initial stay in Germany, especially support for networking with collaborative partners in Germany during the fellow’s entire career.

Eligible applicants must have lived in an eligible country for a minimum of 12 months in the 18-month period prior to submission of the application.

They must have lived outside Germany for a minimum of 12 months in total in the 18-month period prior to submission of the application.

Applicants who have already received sponsorship from the Humboldt Foundation in the form of a fellowship or award are not entitled to apply to this programme but should turn to the appropriate alumni sponsorship programmes. Those sponsored in the context of the International Climate Protection Fellowships are excluded from applying for other fellowships offered by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation.

Application Procedure:

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