Exciting fully funded short-term research stay opportunity: Call for Applications is now open for the TRAJECTS Research Stays 2026

Ednah Carrick March 22, 2026

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Closing Date: 27 March 2026

Exciting fully funded short-term research stay opportunity: Call for Applications is now open for the TRAJECTS Research Stays 2026

Aim

The Transnational Centre for Just Transitions in Energy, Climate and Sustainability –TRAJECTS– is one of the four Global Climate and Environment Centres funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). The Centre operates within a transnational partnership between Europa-Universität Flensburg (Germany), the University of Cape Town (South Africa), the Institute of Environmental Studies (IDEA) at the Universidad Nacional de Colombia, and the Universidad del Magdalena (Colombia).

TRAJECTS seeks to build and strengthen research, teaching, and decision-making capacities on just transitions in energy, climate, and sustainability, with a particular focus on challenges and opportunities in the Global South. Through its South–South–North cooperation model, the Centre fosters academic exchange, collaborative research, and dialogue between academia, policy actors, and civil society.

During its first funding phase (2021–2025), TRAJECTS supported doctoral and master’s scholarships as well as 100 research stays across its partner institutions, contributing to knowledge production, capacity building, and institutional cooperation in the field of just transitions. As part of its second funding phase, TRAJECTS launches the Call for Research Stays 2026, expecting to fund approximately 18 researchers. The Research Stays programme supports researchers and practitioners at different career stages to undertake a fully funded short-term research stay (maximum three months) at one of the TRAJECTS partner institutions offering placements under this call. The programme strengthens transnational collaboration and promotes research and practice-oriented work contributing to just transitions in energy, climate and sustainability.

Projects developed within the framework of the Research Stays should align with TRAJECTS’ core thematic areas:

Mitigating climate change by phasing-out fossil fuels (i.a. climate policies or employment effects of the energy transition).
Sustainable integration of renewable energy systems (i.a. topics from energy access, circular economy of renewable energy to hydrogen production).
Socio-ecological transitions in critical areas, with emphasis on regions highly dependent on fossil fuels (i.a. social-ecological considerations of renewable energy, post-carbon urban transitions, agroecological transitions, environmental conflicts due to land and energy extractive activities, and
hydroclimatological perspectives).

TRAJECTS Research Stays 2026 Overview

The TRAJECTS Research Stays 2026 invite researchers and practitioners from different career stages to join its transnational network and contribute to advancing just transitions in energy, climate and sustainability.

The programme offers short-term, fully funded, on-site research stays at partner Host Organisations in Germany, South Africa and Latin America. The standard duration is three (3) months. Funding includes a monthly allowance (depending on the host region), travel reimbursement, and insurance support.

Research projects should align with TRAJECTS’ core thematic areas:

Phasing-out fossil fuels and advancing just decarbonisation pathways
Sustainable integration of renewable energy systems
Socio-ecological transitions in critical areas, particularly in regions highly dependent on fossil fuels

Selected candidates will become part of the TRAJECTS network. They are expected to participate in and successfully complete the TRAJECTS Just Transitions MOOC, and to submit a final report and a policy brief, agreed with the Host Organisation and TRAJECTS at the beginning of the stay.

Applications are reviewed in two stages: an initial evaluation by TRAJECTS, followed by a review by the respective Host Organisation (which may include an interview). All applicants will be informed by email whether their application proceeds to the second stage.

Required documents for application

Curriculum Vitae (CV) in the language used by the Host Organisation.
Proof of completed academic studies (at least Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional qualification).
Motivation letter (maximum one page) in the language required by the selected placement.
If applicable:
- Proof of current affiliation to a TRAJECTS network partner.
- A letter of self-declaration as a member of an underrepresented group.
- Any additional documents required by the Host Organisation for the specific placement.