International Climate Protection Fellowship

The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation awards a monthly fellowship amount of 2,200 EUR,
2,500 EUR or 2,700 EUR, depending on the career stage, plus a mobility allowance and a subsidy
towards the cost of medical and liability insurance. A lump sum for travel expenses and an initial
subsidy are also paid. Before the start of the fellowship, the Humboldt Foundation provides an
intensive German language course in Germany lasting one or two months (including for
accompanying partners).
In addition, a family allowance for accompanying partners and/or children under 18 will be granted
if they are staying in Germany for at least three months. The following benefits may also be applied
for:
• a subsidy towards the cost of medical and liability insurance for an accompanying partner
and/or children under the age of 18;
• a flat-rate allowance for single parents with accompanying children;
• an extension of the fellowship for research fellows accompanied by children or for a
maternity period.
There are further support options for research fellows with disabilities or chronic illnesses.
Research stays outside Germany for a maximum of three months are possible under certain
conditions, provided that these are required for carrying out the research (only outside the months
in which compulsory events are planned).
Hosts in Germany can apply for an allowance for research costs to the value of 800 EUR per month
(natural sciences, life sciences and engineering) or 500 EUR (humanities and social sciences).
Upon successful completion of the stay in Germany, various forms of alumni sponsorship can be
granted to alumni, particularly for promoting contact with collaborative partners in Germany.
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 in Germany.
Participation is obligatory. The following mandatory timetable is designed to facilitate networking
amongst the fellows:
January, February 2026: intensive German language course in Bonn (optional)
March 2026: three-week introductory seminar at several locations in
Germany
April 2026 – February 2027: work on research-based projects
June 2026: Alexander von Humboldt Foundation’s Annual Meeting,
including reception held by the President of the Federal
Republic of Germany in Berlin (optional)
Autumn 2026: two-week study tour through Germany
January/February 2027: closing seminar and reception in Berlin
As of 8/2024
For details on the above-mentioned benefits and further information on the fellowship and the stay
in Germany, please refer to the Guidelines and Information for International Climate Protection
Fellows.
The Humboldt Foundation assumes that candidates will abide the Rules of Good Scientific Practice
and the legally binding principles of scientific ethics during the application and sponsorship periods.
Application requirements:
• First university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent), completed less than twelve years
previously, counting back from the application deadline (1 February of each year);
• Leadership skills demonstrated by initial experience in leadership positions and appropriate
references;
• Extensive work experience after the first university degree (at least 24 months at the
application deadline) in the field of climate protection or climate-related resource
conservation;
• 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;
• Conception of a research-based project in the field of climate protection or climate-
related resource conversation, agreed in advance with the host;
• A detailed statement by a host in Germany, including a mentoring agreement
• Two letters of recommendation by individuals who can give substantiated information on
the candidate’s academic, professional and personal eligibility as well as his/her leadership
potential;
• Citizenship of a programme 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.
Eligible applicants must have lived and worked in an eligible country (see list of countries) for at
least twelve months during the last 18 months prior to the application deadline. All stays outside
the eligible countries (including Germany) are taken into account, regardless of their duration and
reason. Any person who, regardless of their country of residence, has supported themselves for
more than six out of the last 18 months with financing from a German institution or who has studied
or worked on a doctorate at an institution in Germany in the last 18 months is not eligible to apply.
Those who have already received sponsorship from the Humboldt Foundation are not entitled to
apply to this programme but are encouraged to use the appropriate alumni sponsorship
programmes. Those sponsored in the context of the International Climate Protection Fellowship are
excluded from applying for other fellowships offered by the Humboldt Foundation.