RIFS Fellow Programme

The RIFS Fellow Programme brings highly qualified individuals from academia, business and civil society to the Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) in Potsdam to contribute expertise, transdisciplinary perspectives and creative input to institute research. Fellows develop their ideas within an international research community, collaborate with RIFS researchers, and are supported in networking and outreach to political, economic and social actors. About 20 fellows join RIFS each year, and a public call for applications is issued annually for the following year. RIFS also awards the annual Klaus Töpfer Sustainability Fellowship to an experienced individual working on sustainability issues.

Opportunities to develop research and project ideas within the RIFS research community; institutional support for networking and outreach; visibility through RIFS events and publications; access to alumni network and potential to become an Affiliate Scholar.

RIFS seeks individuals from all disciplines and areas of society, including academia, business, civil society, politicians, journalists and artists. The Klaus Töpfer Sustainability Fellowship seeks applicants from Germany or abroad with many years of work on sustainability issues who can contribute innovative ideas and have potential to shape the future.

A public call for applications is issued each year for the following year; the Scientific Directors may also invite individuals to collaborate for a limited period.