Applications are now open for the 2025 Alexander von Humboldt International Climate Protection Fellowship for prospective leaders and postdocs

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Closing Date: 1 February 2025

Applications are now open for the 2025 Alexander von Humboldt International Climate Protection Fellowship for prospective leaders and postdocs

Fellowship for prospective leaders working practically and postdocs

Are you working academically or practically in climate protection or climate-relevant resource conservation in your country of origin – a non-European developing or transition country (see list of countries, PDF)? Then you are invited to apply for an International Climate Protection Fellowship from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation.

The Humboldt Foundation aims to achieve a good balance between genders and a high level of diversity among its fellows in all areas. The Foundation therefore expressly invite female prospective leaders and members of underrepresented groups to apply. The Foundation welcomes all applications, regardless of ethnic, cultural or social background, gender identity, age, religion, worldview, disability or sexual orientation.

Fellowship Overview

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

15 Alexander von Humboldt International Climate Protection Fellowships are awarded to prospective leaders working practically and up to five to postdocs each year. The Alexander von Humboldt International Climate Protection Fellowships are funded through the International Climate Initiative. The Initiative (IKI) became the responsibility of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) in 2022. The IKI programme cooperates with its founding ministry, the Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), as well as the Federal Foreign Office.

Sponsorship

The fellowship facilitates the mutual exchange of knowledge, methods and techniques with hosts in Germany; this also extends to questions of practical applicability in your country of origin. The Foundation offer you:

as a prospective leader working practically a monthly fellowship amount of 2,200€, 2,500€ or 2,700€ plus ancillary benefits – depending on your training and career level; as a postdoc, a monthly fellowship amount of 2,700€ plus ancillary benefits
individual support during your stay in Germany
additional financial support for example for accompanying partners and children, 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

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

Eligibility Criteria

As future decision-makers and multipliers, you aim to take on the global challenge of climate change through international, cross-border cooperation. The International Climate Protection Fellowship is designed for prospective leaders working practically and postdocs. The Foundation invites you to apply for an International Climate Protection Fellowship if you

engage with climate change issues
are a citizen of a non-European developing or transition country 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

In addition, you meet the following criteria as a prospective leader or postdoc:

Prospective leaders working practically

Did you complete your first academic degree (Bachelor’s or comparable degree) during the last twelve years (cut-off date is the application deadline on 1 February)? Do you have extensive professional experience, at least 24 months on the application deadline – or alternatively a Master’s degree in any field (or comparable degree) plus at least twelve months of relevant professional experience related to climate issues after the first university degree? If so, apply for an International Climate Protection Fellowship.

Postdocs

Did you complete your first academic degree (Bachelor or comparable degree) during the last twelve years (cut-off date is the application deadline on 1 February)? Additionally, did you complete your doctorate no more than four years ago by the application deadline (1 February) or will you complete it until 31 August of the respective selection year? Have you published in academic journals and publishing houses that are reviewed according to international standards? If so, apply for an International Climate Protection Fellowship for postdocs.