If you have been looking for a fully funded research fellowship in Germany that welcomes applicants from all over the world including Africa the RIFS Fellow Programme 2027 is worth your serious attention.
The Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) at GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences in Potsdam, Germany, has opened its annual call for fellowship applications. About ten fellows are selected each year from across academia, government, civil society, media, and the private sector. The deadline is 21 June 2026 at 23:59 CET.
This is not a scholarship for university tuition. It is a working research fellowship, you come with your own project idea, collaborate with RIFS research groups, and receive a stipend, office support, and housing assistance while you do the work.
What Is the RIFS Fellow Programme?
RIFS was founded in 2009 (originally as the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies, IASS) and joined the Helmholtz Association Germany's largest science organisation in January 2023. The institute focuses specifically on sustainability transitions: how societies can move toward more sustainable ways of living, governing, and producing, and what gets in the way of that.
The Fellow Programme brings roughly ten people per year into the institute from any background — researchers, artists, journalists, policy advisors, community organisers to work on projects that connect to RIFS research. Fellows work alongside permanent researchers and other fellows, share a community, and get both financial and institutional support for their ideas.
Fellows are not students. They are collaborators and independent thinkers who happen to be hosted at RIFS for a period of time.
2027 Theme: Sustainability in Tough Times
Each year RIFS names a priority theme. For 2027, it is: "Sustainability in Tough Times — How to Move Forwards in Times of Backlash?"
This theme reflects something real: sustainability policies around the world are facing organised opposition. Governments are reversing climate commitments. Public trust in environmental science has eroded in some regions. RIFS wants to understand these dynamics better.
Projects that explore any of the following questions are particularly welcome:
- How do different forms of backlash interact across societies and scales, from local to global?
- How do justice concerns across regions shape support for or resistance to — sustainability transitions?
- In what ways do polarisation, emotions, and competing narratives shape perceptions of sustainability?
- What new or unconventional alliances for sustainability are conceivable and needed?
- How can transdisciplinary research help identify, mediate, and potentially mitigate backlash?
- What do contemporary challenges to expert authority tell us about knowledge and political power?
You do not need to work on one of these exact questions. But your proposal must be complementary to at least two of RIFS's research groups, and RIFS strongly recommends contacting a researcher there before you apply to confirm the fit.
Fellowship Benefits
This is a funded programme. Here is what fellows receive:
- Stipend: Amount varies by seniority and family circumstances. Details are on the RIFS FAQ page.
- Duration: 6 to 12 months, with possible extension up to 24 months depending on funding and scope of work.
- Housing assistance: RIFS has a limited number of apartments in Potsdam available to fellows not already living in Germany or Europe. They also help with school placements, health insurance, and visa or residence title processes.
- Network support: Fellows are connected to an international community across science, government, civil society, and arts. RIFS actively helps fellows expand their national and international networks.
- Organisational support: Administrative and logistical backing for your fellowship activities.
The fellowship starts approximately in Spring 2027, with 1 April 2027 as the earliest start date.
Who Can Apply?
RIFS is genuinely open to applicants from all backgrounds. The call explicitly welcomes people from:
- Academia (any discipline relevant to sustainability)
- Public administration and government
- The private sector
- Civil society and NGOs
- Media and journalism
- Arts and creative fields
There is no nationality restriction. Applicants from Rwanda, across Africa, and from any country in the world are eligible. RIFS actively promotes diversity and particularly encourages women and underrepresented groups to apply.
The one firm requirement is that your proposed project must connect meaningfully to RIFS's ongoing research and align with at least two of their research groups.
How to Apply: Step by Step
All applications must be submitted in English through the RIFS online application portal. Email submissions are not accepted.
Required documents (each as a separate PDF):
- Project Proposal This is the most important document. Use only the official RIFS proposal template (available on their website at the link below). Proposals using any other format will not be reviewed.
- CV and Achievements, Maximum 3 pages. Include your educational background, career steps, and key achievements.
You may also submit an optional annex with additional information such as a list of publications, an artistic portfolio, or other supporting material. Note that external reviewers only see the project proposal, not the annex.
Deadline: 21 June 2026 at 23:59 CET
Selection Process and Timeline
Applications go through three stages:
- Internal review, RIFS staff review all applications for motivation, professional background, proposal quality, and fit with their research.
- External review: Shortlisted proposals go to an external jury for independent assessment.
- Interviews :The most promising candidates may be interviewed in November 2026.
Final decisions are communicated in November or early December 2026. Successful applicants begin their fellowships around Spring 2027.
RIFS is also running two free webinars for prospective applicants: on 18 May 2026 and 1 June 2026. Check their website for registration links.
Tips for a Strong Application
A few things that matter more than people realise:
- Contact RIFS researchers before applying. This is the strongest signal you can send that your proposal is a genuine fit. If you cannot find a researcher whose work connects to yours, that is also useful to know early.
- Use the official proposal template. Applications that use any other format are rejected without review — no exceptions.
- Be specific about the research problem. RIFS receives applications from all over the world. Vague proposals about "addressing sustainability" do not stand out. A precise question with a clear method does.
- Connect explicitly to the 2027 theme. You do not have to limit yourself to the theme, but proposals that engage with it have a stronger natural alignment with what RIFS is currently working on.
Why This Fellowship Matters for African Researchers
Germany's Helmholtz Association is one of the most prestigious research networks in the world. A fellowship at RIFS puts you inside that network for up to two years, with access to international collaborators, publication pathways, and the kind of institutional credibility that is hard to build remotely.
For researchers in Rwanda and across Africa working on governance, environmental policy, climate justice, or community-level sustainability challenges, the RIFS theme for 2027 is directly relevant. African contexts where sustainability transitions often face backlash from both historical inequities and competing development priorities offer exactly the kind of comparative perspective RIFS says it values.
The housing and visa support also makes the move to Potsdam more manageable than most European fellowships.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Programme | RIFS Fellow Programme 2027 |
| Host Institution | Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) at GFZ, Potsdam, Germany |
| Fellowship Duration | 6–12 months (extendable to 24 months) |
| Start Date | Spring 2027 (earliest: 1 April 2027) |
| Application Deadline | 21 June 2026 at 23:59 CET |
| Funding | Stipend + housing assistance + organisational support |
| Eligible Nationalities | All nationalities worldwide |
| Application Language | English only |
| Reference Number | 11270 |
| Official Website | rifs-potsdam.de |
Related Scholarships and Fellowships
If RIFS is not the right fit for your current stage, you may also want to look at these opportunities covered on Mathrone Academy:
- DAAD MIDE Scholarship 2026 — Germany (HTW Berlin)
- Fully Funded PhD Scholarships in Germany 2027
- Joint Japan World Bank Graduate Scholarship 2026
- British Council Research Fellowship 2027 — University of EdinburghStay Connected with Mathrone Academy
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the RIFS fellowship open to applicants from Africa and Rwanda?
Yes. RIFS accepts applications from any country in the world. There is no nationality restriction. African applicants are explicitly welcomed, and RIFS actively promotes diversity across national, ethnic, and professional backgrounds.
Do I need a PhD to apply for the RIFS fellowship?
No. RIFS accepts applications from people across all sectors academia, government, NGOs, media, arts, and the private sector. A PhD is not required. What matters is the quality and relevance of your proposed project.
What is the RIFS fellowship stipend amount?
The exact stipend is not published publicly because it is calculated based on your seniority level and family circumstances. RIFS's FAQ page on their official website has more detailed information. Housing and other in-kind support are provided on top of the stipend.
Can I apply if I already live in Germany?
Yes. However, the apartment support in Potsdam is prioritised for fellows who are not already living in Germany or Europe at the time of application.
What is the RIFS proposal template and where do I find it?
The official proposal template is available on the RIFS website OR CLICK HERE . Only proposals using this template are accepted. Any other format leads to automatic rejection without review.
Can I submit my application by email?
No. All applications must go through the RIFS online portal. Email applications are not accepted and will not be reviewed.
When will I hear back after applying?
The timeline is: internal review after the June 2026 deadline → external review of shortlisted candidates → interviews in November 2026 → decisions in November or early December 2026 → fellowship start in Spring 2027.
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