The RIFS Fellow Programme offers international researchers, professionals and change-makers an opportunity to work with the Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) in Potsdam, Germany, formerly known as the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS).
The programme brings highly qualified people from academia, business and civil society to RIFS to contribute expertise, creative ideas and perspectives to sustainability research. Fellows have the opportunity to develop their own ideas within an international research community while connecting with researchers and organizations in Potsdam and Berlin.
For applicants searching for the RIFS Fellowship 2026, an important update is that the institute says the next public call for applications will likely open at the end of 2026. Prospective applicants are encouraged to subscribe to the RIFS newsletter for updates.
RIFS Fellow Programme 2026 Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Programme | RIFS Fellow Programme |
| Institution | Research Institute for Sustainability |
| Former name | Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS) |
| Location | Potsdam, Germany |
| Main focus | Sustainability research and transformation |
| Target participants | Academia, business and civil society |
| Disciplines | All disciplines and areas of society |
| Fellows per year | About 20 |
| Public call | Usually issued annually for the following year |
| Next expected call | Likely at the end of 2026 |
| International participation | Yes |
| Fellowship network | More than 300 Fellows from over 40 countries |
| Current application status | Next public call expected at the end of 2026 |
What Is the RIFS Fellow Programme?
The RIFS Fellow Programme is designed to bring external expertise and new perspectives into sustainability research.
RIFS describes fellows as an important resource for the institute because they contribute to research, strengthen transdisciplinary approaches and help connect the institute with political, economic and social actors.
The programme is inspired by the idea of bringing together knowledge and creativity from different parts of society to address major sustainability challenges.
Who Can Become an RIFS Fellow?
The programme is not restricted to one academic discipline.
RIFS says it seeks individuals from all disciplines and areas of society, including:
- Researchers
- Academics
- Business professionals
- Civil society representatives
- Politicians
- Journalists
- Artists
The institute is particularly interested in people who can contribute expertise, inspiration and creative input to sustainability-related work.
This broad approach makes the fellowship different from programmes limited exclusively to university researchers.
RIFS Fellowship for Researchers
Researchers working on sustainability-related topics can use the fellowship to develop ideas within an international community of researchers.
Fellows are supported in developing new connections and creating ideas and activities together with RIFS researchers.
Potential applicants should therefore consider how their research connects with sustainability challenges and how collaboration with RIFS could strengthen their work.
RIFS Fellowship for Professionals
The programme is also open to expertise beyond academia.
RIFS specifically states that its fellowship community includes people from the business world and civil society.
This creates opportunities for professionals whose work contributes to sustainability, transformation, policy, innovation or related areas.
RIFS Fellowship for Journalists
Journalists are specifically mentioned among the groups RIFS seeks to involve.
This means the programme can be relevant to journalists working on areas such as sustainability, climate, environmental policy, science, development and social transformation.
The supplied source does not, however, establish separate eligibility requirements specifically for journalists.
RIFS Fellowship for Artists
Artists are also specifically identified as potential participants in the programme.
This reflects the institute’s interdisciplinary approach to sustainability and its interest in perspectives extending beyond conventional academic research.
How Many RIFS Fellows Are Selected?
RIFS states that about 20 fellows come to the institute each year.
The programme therefore represents a relatively selective opportunity, particularly because the number of fellows is limited compared with the potential global pool of applicants.
RIFS Fellowship Application Call
RIFS normally issues a public call for applications each year for the following year.
However, the current programme page states that the next call is likely to open at the end of 2026.
Applicants who want to be considered for a future cohort should monitor the official RIFS website and subscribe to the institute’s newsletter.
Is the RIFS Fellow Programme Open Now?
Based on the supplied official source, the next public call has not yet opened.
RIFS says the next call will likely open at the end of 2026.
Therefore, applicants should be cautious about websites claiming to offer an open RIFS Fellowship 2026 application unless those claims can be verified against an official RIFS announcement.
RIFS Fellowship Location
The fellowship is based at the Research Institute for Sustainability in Potsdam, Germany.
The programme also provides fellows with opportunities to engage with the wider research landscape of Potsdam and Berlin.
RIFS Fellow Programme Research Areas
The programme does not restrict fellows to a single discipline.
RIFS states that it seeks individuals from all disciplines and areas of society.
The programme’s broader purpose is to address sustainability challenges by combining perspectives and expertise from different sectors.
Potential applicants should therefore focus on the relevance and innovative nature of their proposed work rather than attempting to fit into one narrow academic category.
RIFS Fellowship and Sustainability
Sustainability is at the center of the programme.
The fellowship brings together knowledge from:
- Academia
- Politics
- Business
- Civil society
- Journalism
- Arts
- Other areas of society
The objective is to generate ideas and approaches capable of contributing to more sustainable societies.
RIFS Fellowship and Interdisciplinary Research
An important feature of the programme is its transdisciplinary approach.
Fellows contribute to RIFS research while interacting with people from different professional and academic backgrounds.
The programme also aims to connect researchers with political, economic and social actors.
This makes the fellowship particularly suitable for applicants whose work crosses traditional disciplinary boundaries.
What Do RIFS Fellows Do?
Fellows are expected to provide:
- Expertise
- Inspiration
- Creative input
- Research contributions
- New ideas
- Connections with external communities
RIFS supports fellows in developing their ideas and creating new connections with researchers and organizations in the wider Potsdam and Berlin research environment.
RIFS Fellowship Benefits
The programme provides a professional environment in which fellows can:
- Develop their ideas
- Work alongside researchers
- Build international connections
- Access a wider research community
- Develop new collaborations
- Contribute to sustainability research
- Participate in an international fellowship network
The institute also maintains an alumni network after fellows complete their tenure.
RIFS Fellow Alumni Network
The RIFS Fellow Programme has developed an international alumni community.
RIFS reports that about 300 Fellows from more than 40 countries have conducted research and projects at the institute in recent years.
The alumni network is intended to maintain connections between former and current fellows, RIFS staff and partners.
Benefits of the RIFS Fellow Alumni Network
RIFS identifies several benefits for its fellow alumni, including:
- Networking within an international science community
- Updates about alumni activities
- News from RIFS
- Invitations to selected RIFS events
- Increased visibility for fellows’ research
- Opportunities to contribute as guest authors
- Fellow Meetings and Tuesday Talks
- Support for implementing innovative ideas
- Possibility of becoming an Affiliate Scholar
Klaus Töpfer Sustainability Fellowship
The RIFS Fellow Programme also includes the Klaus Töpfer Sustainability Fellowship.
RIFS awards this fellowship once each year to one eligible applicant.
The fellowship honors the legacy of Prof. Dr Klaus Töpfer, the founding director of the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies.
RIFS says the fellowship seeks people who have worked for many years on sustainability issues and have the potential to shape the future.
Who Is Eligible for the Klaus Töpfer Sustainability Fellowship?
RIFS states that applications are sought from individuals from Germany or abroad.
Applicants should have substantial experience working on sustainability issues and demonstrate the potential to influence the future.
The institute is interested in innovative ideas from fields including:
- Science
- Arts
- Civil society
- Business
- Politics
- Other areas of society
RIFS Fellowship International Opportunities
The programme has a strong international dimension.
RIFS reports that approximately 300 fellows from more than 40 countries have conducted research and projects at the institute in recent years.
The institute’s fellowship network is therefore designed to connect professionals and researchers across institutions and national borders.
RIFS Fellowship for International Applicants
The programme can be relevant to applicants outside Germany.
The institute specifically states that the Klaus Töpfer Sustainability Fellowship seeks applicants from Germany or abroad.
For the general Fellow Programme, the supplied source describes a global fellowship community but does not provide a detailed nationality-by-nationality eligibility list.
Applicants should therefore consult the official call when it is published.
RIFS Fellowship for African Researchers
African researchers and sustainability professionals can monitor future RIFS fellowship calls.
The programme’s international network includes Fellows from more than 40 countries, and the institute seeks expertise from different parts of society.
However, the supplied source does not identify a specific African quota or separate application pathway.
RIFS Fellowship Funding and Salary
The supplied programme page does not provide a current fellowship stipend, salary or funding amount.
Therefore, applicants should not rely on specific funding figures published by unofficial websites.
Financial arrangements, if applicable, should be verified against the official call for applications when the next programme opens.
Is the RIFS Fellowship Fully Funded?
The supplied source does not provide enough information to describe the programme as fully funded.
Applicants should wait for the official call to determine what financial support, travel assistance, accommodation or other benefits may be available for the relevant fellowship cycle.
RIFS Fellowship Duration
The supplied programme page does not specify a universal fellowship duration.
RIFS notes that individuals may be invited to collaborate on specific themes and activities for a limited period of time, while the annual public fellowship call is designed around a particular envisioned tenure.
The exact duration should therefore be confirmed from the relevant call.
How to Prepare for the RIFS Fellowship 2026
Because the next public call is expected toward the end of 2026, prospective applicants have an opportunity to prepare early.
1. Develop a strong sustainability idea
Identify a significant sustainability challenge and develop an innovative approach to addressing it.
2. Explain your expertise
Show what knowledge, professional experience or creative perspective you would bring to RIFS.
3. Demonstrate interdisciplinary thinking
Consider how your work connects with other disciplines or sectors.
4. Build evidence of impact
Document research, projects, publications, policy work, community initiatives or other achievements relevant to sustainability.
5. Identify potential collaborators
Think about researchers, institutions and stakeholders with whom your proposed work could connect.
6. Follow RIFS updates
Subscribe to the RIFS newsletter so you can learn when the next application call is announced.
RIFS Fellowship Application Checklist
Before the next call opens, prospective applicants should prepare:
- Updated CV
- Academic and professional profile
- Research or project proposal
- Description of sustainability challenge
- Explanation of expected impact
- Evidence of previous work
- Relevant publications or portfolio
- Professional references where required
- Collaboration ideas
- International contact details
- Any documents specified in the future call
The exact application requirements should be confirmed once RIFS publishes the next official call.
RIFS Fellow Programme Selection
The supplied page does not provide a detailed step-by-step selection process.
However, the programme is designed to select highly qualified individuals capable of providing expertise, inspiration and creative input to RIFS.
The annual public call is often focused on topics and questions that RIFS wants to explore during the envisioned fellowship period.
This suggests that applicants should pay close attention to the themes identified in the next call.
RIFS Fellowship Frequently Asked Questions
What is the RIFS Fellow Programme?
It is a fellowship programme at the Research Institute for Sustainability in Potsdam, Germany, bringing highly qualified people from academia, business and civil society into an international sustainability research environment.
When will the next RIFS Fellowship call open?
RIFS says the next call will likely open at the end of 2026.
Is the RIFS Fellowship currently open?
The supplied official page does not indicate an open public call. Instead, it says the next call is likely to open at the end of 2026.
How many fellows does RIFS host?
RIFS says approximately 20 fellows come to the institute each year.
Who can become an RIFS Fellow?
RIFS seeks people from academia, business, civil society and other areas of society, including politicians, journalists and artists.
Is the RIFS Fellowship only for researchers?
No. RIFS explicitly describes the programme as bringing expertise from academia, business and civil society.
Can international applicants apply?
The programme has an international focus, and the Klaus Töpfer Sustainability Fellowship explicitly seeks applicants from Germany or abroad.
Can African applicants apply?
The programme has an international community, but the supplied source does not specify an African-specific eligibility category.
What does the fellowship focus on?
The overarching focus is sustainability and addressing sustainability challenges through interdisciplinary expertise, research and innovation.
Does RIFS offer a fellowship for sustainability professionals?
Yes. The programme is open to expertise from business, civil society and other areas in addition to academia.
What is the Klaus Töpfer Sustainability Fellowship?
It is a fellowship awarded once a year as part of the RIFS Fellow Programme to support an individual committed to sustainable development and capable of contributing innovative ideas.
How many Klaus Töpfer Sustainability Fellows are selected?
RIFS states that one eligible applicant is awarded the fellowship each year.
Does RIFS provide a fellowship salary?
The supplied page does not state a current universal stipend or salary.
Is the RIFS Fellowship fully funded?
The supplied source does not provide sufficient information to describe it as fully funded.
How long is the RIFS Fellowship?
The supplied page does not state a universal duration.
Where is RIFS located?
The fellowship is based at the Research Institute for Sustainability in Potsdam, Germany.
How many people have participated in the RIFS fellowship network?
RIFS says about 300 Fellows from over 40 countries have conducted research and projects at the institute in recent years.
How can I receive updates about the next call?
RIFS encourages prospective applicants to subscribe to its newsletter for updates.
Opportunities Feed Verdict
Opportunities Feed Verdict: The RIFS Fellow Programme is an interesting international opportunity for experienced researchers, professionals and change-makers working on sustainability challenges.
Its major strength is its interdisciplinary approach. Rather than limiting participation to conventional academic researchers, RIFS seeks expertise from academia, business, civil society and other areas of society, including journalists, politicians and artists.
The programme hosts approximately 20 fellows each year, while its wider fellowship community includes about 300 Fellows from more than 40 countries.
The Klaus Töpfer Sustainability Fellowship provides an additional opportunity for experienced sustainability leaders, with RIFS awarding it to one eligible applicant each year.
However, prospective applicants should pay close attention to the current application status. The official page states that the next public call is likely to open at the end of 2026, so this is not currently an open fellowship application based on the supplied information.
For anyone interested in applying, the best strategy is to begin developing a strong sustainability-focused project or research idea now, document relevant achievements and monitor the official RIFS announcements for the next call.
Official RIFS Fellowship Information
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