With the International Climate Protection Fellowships, the Alexander
von Humboldt Foundation enables prospective leaders in academia and
industry 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 20 International Climate Protection Fellowships are granted
annually, funded under the German Federal Ministry for the Environment,
Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety’s (BMUB) International
Climate Initiative. The fellowships target prospective leaders from
non-European transition and developing countries.
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).
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. The programme
thus drives the development of long-term contacts and collaborations
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 (1 March 2019);
- 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) or a successfully completed doctorate in the field of climate protection or climate-related resource conservation;
- Scientific publications (for post-doctoral applicants) in peer-reviewed journals according to international standards;
- 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 (see list of countries) 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).
In the case of post-doctoral researchers, it is not only leadership
skills that are crucial but also the assessment of the candidate’s
academic qualifications (quality of the key publications cited) as well
as the academic potential of the proposal to drive innovation in the
specialist field.
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 organisations.
Fellowship specifications:
The monthly fellowship amount – depending on career stage –is €2,150
or €2,450 for fellows without a doctorate and €2,650 for postdoctoral
researchers. 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.