Climate change is a global challenge that especially calls for cross-border international collaborations. In view of this, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation is inviting applications for another round of its International Climate Protection Fellowship.
If you are a prospective leader working academically or practically in climate protection or climate-relevant resource conservation in your home country- a non-European developing or transition country- this opportunity might be for you.
About the International Climate Protection Fellowship
Launched to foster long-term contacts and collaboration with experts and colleagues in Germany, the Fellowship program is designed to enable future decision-makers and multipliers to share knowledge, methods, and techniques with specialist colleagues in Germany.
In line with Agenda 2030 and the related SDGs, the International Climate Protection Fellowship seeks to contribute to the achievement of these goals by supporting prospective leaders with their undertakings and projects to address climate change, to develop and implement adaptation strategies, to preserve ecosystems and biodiversity as well as to foster the sustainable use of the oceans and seas.
The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation awards up to 15 International Climate Protection Fellowships to prospective leaders and up to five postdoctoral researchers each year. The fellowships are funded through the International Climate Initiative of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety (BMU).
Note that 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.
Benefits of participation
Depending on the career stage, the monthly fellowship amount is €2,170, €2,470, or €2,670 for fellows. This includes a mobility lump sum and a contribution towards health and liability insurance. Additional benefits include:
- 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 a two-month intensive German language course in Germany immediately prior to the fellowship.
- A 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 €274 EUR per month for each child).
- Allowances for single parents accompanied by children under the age of 18 who are staying for 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.
Eligibility requirements
If you are interested, check out the following criteria to know if you qualify:
- Be working in the field of climate protection or climate-related resource conservation;
- Be a citizen of a non-European transition or developing country which is also the applicant’s habitual residence and place of work
- Have proven leadership skills, which must be clearly demonstrated in the application and supported by appropriate references.
- Have a first university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent), completed less than 12 years previously,
- Choice of a research-based project must be 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
- Have proficiency in English and/or German, documented by appropriate language certificates
- Provide 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.
How to apply
Before applying, applicants are advised to work out the details of their independently developed research-based project with your chosen academic host. To apply, submit the necessary application documents to the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation online only.
- A research-based project: Outline the project you have developed based on
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 - An 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.
Click here to register for the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation International Climate Protection Fellowship
Deadline
Submission of applications closes on Tuesday, February 1, 2022.