International Climate Protection Fellowships, Germany

Overview

With the International Climate Protection Fellowships the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
enables prospective leaders to conduct a research-related project in the field of climate protection and resource conservation during a one-year stay in Germany. Up to twenty International Climate Protection Fellowships will be granted annually, funded under the Federal Environment Ministry's (BMU) International Climate Initiative.

The fellowships target prospective leaders from non-European threshold and developing countries (see list of countries) who are engaged in the field of climate protection and resource conservation in academia, business and administration in their countries. The research-related projects are carried out in cooperation with hosts in Germany. Candidates choose their own projects and their hosts in Germany. The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation is running the programme, which is currently scheduled to last until 2012/2013, in cooperation with the Federation of German Industries (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 Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) and the Renewables Academy AG (RENAC).

Requirements

First academic degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent), completed less than 12 years prior to the start of the fellowship (1. September 2012);
A further academic or professional qualification (Master’s, PhD, LL.M., MBA etc.) or extensive professional experience in a leadership role (at least 48 months at the time of application) in the field of climate protection and resource conservation;
Initial practical experience (at least 12 months at the time of application) through involvement in projects related to climate protection and resource conservation (possibly already during studies);
Leadership potential demonstrated by initial experience in leadership positions and/or appropriate references (see no. 8);
A detailed statement by a host in Germany, including a confirmation of support; details of the proposed project must be discussed with the prospective host prior to application;
Citizenship of a non-European threshold or developing country (see list of countries) which is also the fellow’s habitual abode and place of work;
Very good knowledge of English and/or German, documented by appropriate language certificates;
Two to three expert references by individuals qualified to comment on the candidate’s professional, personal and, if applicable, academic eligibility and his / her leadership potential.

Potential applicants who have spent more than six months in Germany or more than 12 months in a country that is not on the list of countries at the time of or shortly before application should contact the Humboldt Foundation (info@avh.de) before submitting an application as they may be ineligible on formal grounds.

Selection Procedures

Applications must be completed online. The completed application form including all the additional documents required must be submitted online by the closing date (15 December 2011). Click on the tab "Application package" to find additional information on all the documentation required and be able to access the online application procedure. Confirmation that your documents have been received will be sent to you as soon as you have submitted them.

It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that he or she has submitted all the necessary documents. Incomplete applications may be excluded from the selection procedure.

Your proposed host in Germany should send his/her confidential statement directly to the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation by the closing date at the latest.

The applications will be reviewed and probably until Mid-March, an independent selection committee will select the candidates who will be invited to participate in a three-day selection meeting in Germany. This selection meeting is supposed to take place in the end of April, and applicants will then be given the opportunity to outline their project to the selection committee and the other applicants as well as to attend individual interviews held by the selection committee. At the end of the meeting the selection results will be announced. Further information on the selection procedure can be found in the FAQs.

Online Application

If you wish to submit an application you must register first. Click here to register.

Your email address is also your user name. Applicants must choose a password on registration. After registering you will be sent an email with a link which will allow you to log-on and access the application form using your user name and password.

You can interrupt the application process at any time and save your data.

The application may only be submitted once.

Should you experience any problems with the online application please send an email toinfo@avh.de.