International Climate Protection Fellowship

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Fellowship for prospective leaders and postdocs

Are you working academically or practically in climate protection or climate-relevant resource conservation in your home country – a non-European developing or transition country (see list of countries , PDF)? Then we invite you to apply for an International Climate Protection Fellowship from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation.

If you are a prospective leader you will do a one-year research-related project in Germany as part of your fellowship; if you are a postdoc, long-term academic research (12-24 months). It should focus on combating climate change, adaptation strategies, preserving ecosystems and biodiversity, or on the sustainable use of the seas and oceans. Sustainability topics relating to natural resources, resource-efficient consumption or urban development are also welcome.

We award up to 15 International Climate Protection Fellowships to prospective leaders and up to five to postdoctoral researchers each year. The fellowships are funded through the International Climate Initiative. The Initiative (IKI) became the responsibility of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) in 2022. The IKI programme cooperates with its founding ministry, the Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), as well as the Federal Foreign Office.


  • Programme information (PDF, 112 KB)
  • Programme information for postdocs (PDF, 113 KB)
  • Advice on finding a host
  • Information for hosts
  • Information on letters of recommendation
  • Climate Protection Fellows in portrait
  • Recently selected fellows
  • Virtual information event

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International Climate Protection Fellowship | For next-gen leaders & postdocs with climate expertise
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How to apply for a Climate Protection Fellowship | Info event for young climate protection experts
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"Give it a try!" | Betty Rono from Kenya
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"Go for it!" | Rupesh Shrestha from Nepal
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Postdocs from developing and emerging countries whose research work is not related to climate protection or climate-related resource conservation may apply for a Georg Forster Research Fellowship , if their research has relevance for the future development of their region of origin. Otherwise there is the possibility for applying for a Humboldt Research Fellowship . Should your programme search yield both Fellowships, please use the Programme Compass for further guidance. It is the best possible support when selecting the programme that corresponds most closely to your profile.


Our sponsorship

The fellowship facilitates the mutual exchange of knowledge, methods and techniques with hosts in Germany; this also extends to questions of practical applicability in your country of origin. We offer you

  • a monthly fellowship of €2,170, €2,470 or €2,670 in the programme line for prospective leaders – depending on your training and career level; a monthly fellowship of €2,670 in the programme line for postdoctoral researchers
  • individual support during your stay in Germany
  • additional financial support for example for accompanying family members, for travel expenses, for full private health insurance or for a German language course
  • a three-week introductory event where you can connect with other climate protection fellows, visit businesses and research institutions, and attend cultural events in Germany
  • extensive alumni sponsorship, in particular to support long-term connections with your cooperation partners in Germany over the duration of your entire professional career

Host institutes receive a monthly allowance for research costs of 800 euros for projects in the natural and engineering sciences or 500 euros for projects in the humanities and social sciences.


  • Information on support for Climate Protection Fellows
  • Information on sponsorship for alumni abroad

You must meet the following criteria/What is required of you

As future decision-makers and multipliers, you aim to take on the global challenge of climate change through international, cross-border cooperation. The International Climate Protection Fellowship is designed for prospective leaders and postdoctoral researchers. We invite you to apply for an International Climate Protection Fellowship if you

  • explore questions in the natural or engineering sciences or address legal, economic, health-related or societal aspects of climate change
  • are a citizen of a non-European developing or transition country (see list of countries , PDF) and have been predominantly living and working there
  • have initial experience in a leadership role and corresponding leadership skills
  • have very good knowledge of English and/or German

In addition, you meet the following criteria as a prospective leader or postdoctoral researcher:


Prospective leaders

Did you complete your first academic degree (Bachelor or comparable degree) during the last 12 years (cut-off date is the appication deadline on 1 February)? Do you have extensive professional experience, at least 48 months at the application deadline? If so, apply for an International Climate Protection Fellowship.


Postdoctoral researchers

Did you complete your first academic degree (Bachelor or comparable degree) during the last 12 years (cut-off date is the application deadline on 1 February)? Additionally, did you complete your doctorate no more than four years ago by the application deadline (1 February) or will you complete it until 31 August of the respective selection year? Have you published in academic journals and publishing houses that are reviewed according to international standards? If so, apply for an International Climate Protection Fellowship for postdoctoral researchers.


How to apply

Before applying, you should agree the details of your independently developed research-based project with your chosen academic host.

Please submit the necessary application documents to the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation online only.

  • research-based project: Outline the project you have developed yourself and agreed with your intended host prior to applying. Bear in mind that the following criteria are important for selection: a convincing choice of methods; clear focus and feasibility; relevance to the fields of climate protection or climate-relevant resource conservation; feasibility of conducting the project at the chosen host institution; practicability of the communication strategy
  • extensive statement including confirmation of support from your host in Germany
  • two letters of recommendation (not more than 12 months old) from individuals who can provide information on your professional, personal and/or academic background

The online application form contains links where the letters of recommendation and statements can be uploaded. Please forward these links to the relevant individuals as soon as possible. We will send you a confirmation e-mail as soon as we have received all the required documents. If you have any doubts or questions, please contact us by e-mail (info[at]avh.de ) before submitting your application. We are happy to help.


Selection of potential host institutions

From the wide variety of potential institutions in Germany where you may find a host, we have compiled an overview of institutions that have in most cases already hosted Climate Protection Fellows. In some cases you will find links to specific examples of projects conducted:


Universities

  • Beuth University of Applied Sciences
    Fachbereich Maschinenbau, Veranstaltungstechnik, Verfahrenstechnik
  • University of Greifswald
    Institute of Botany and Landscape Ecology
  • Freie Universität Berlin
    Berlin Centre for Caspian Regional Studies (Maryam Bakhshi )
    Department of Law
    Otto Suhr Institute of Political Science – Environmental Policy Research Centre
  • Hamburg University of Applied Sciences
    Fakultät Life Sciences, Department Verfahrenstechnik
  • Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences
    Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science
  • Trier University of Applied Sciences
    Institute for Applied Material Flow Management
  • Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
    Geography Department
    Institute for Economics and Social Sciences of Agriculture
    Faculty of Law
  • Technische Universität Berlin
    Department of Ecology
  • Clausthal University of Technology
    Clausthaler Umwelttechnik-Institut (CUTEC)
  • Technische Universität Dresden
    Faculty of Environmental Sciences
    Institute of Waste Management and Circular Economy
    Institut für Bauklimatik (Pulat Salikhov )
    Institute of Power Engineering
    Institute of Forest Economics and Forest Management Planning
    Institut für Internationale Forst- und Holzwirtschaft
    Institut für Photogrammetrie und Fernerkundung
  • United Nations University Bonn
  • University of Bayreuth
    Plant Ecology Group
  • University of Bonn
    Department of Geography
    Meteorologisches Institut
    Center for Development Research (ZEF) (Gabriel Antwi-Boasiako )
  • University of Freiburg
    Chair for Landscape Management
    Chair of Silviculture
  • University of Göttingen
    Institute of Geography
  • University of  Hamburg
    Research Unit Sustainability and Global Change
  • Leipzig University
    Faculty of Biosciences, Pharmacy and Psychology
  • University of Münster
    Institut für Umwelt- und Planungsrecht (Huihui Liu )
  • University of Potsdam
    Chair of International Politics
  • University of Stuttgart
    Institute for Sanitary Engineering, Water Quality and Solid Waste Management
  • University of Tübingen
    Institute of Evolution and Ecology
  • University of Wuppertal
    New Manufacturing Technologies and Materials (Arne Röttger )
  • University of Würzburg
    Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology (Ravikash Prasad )

Research institutes

  • Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz centre for polar and marine research (AWI), Bremerhaven
  • German Aerospace Center (DLR)
    German Remote Sensing Data Center (DFD), Oberpfaffenhofen
  • Ecologic Institute for International and European Environmental Policy, Berlin
  • Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research, Competence Center Sustainability and Infrastructure Systems
  • Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, Centre for Materials and Coastal Research
  • Helmholtz Zentrum München – German Research Center for Environmental Health
  • Helmholtz Centre Potsdam – GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences
  • Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Leipzig (Wolke Tobón Niedfeldt , Abdelrhman Mahmoud Shaaban Mohamdeen )
  • Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies e.V. (IASS), Potsdam
  • Leibniz Institute of Ecological Urban and Regional Development, Dresden
  • Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research, Warnemünde
  • Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Gatersleben
  • Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), Müncheberg
  • Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Ecology, Bremen (Adam Ceesay )
  • Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin
  • Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, Jena
  • Museum für Naturkunde – Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Berlin
  • NewClimate Institute Berlin
  • Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)
  • Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (BiK-F), Frankfurt am Main
  • Wuppertal Institut für Klima, Umwelt, Energie gGmbH
  • Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW), Mannheim

NGOs/Think Tanks/Consulting agencies

  • adelphi, Berlin (Aída Rocío García )
  • A.T. Kearney GmbH, Düsseldorf
  • atmosfair, Berlin (Anang Bagus Setiawan )
  • Climate Analytics gGmbH, Berlin
  • German Development Institute, Bonn
  • Ecofys, Köln
  • Germanwatch e.V., Bonn
  • Independent Institute for Environmental Issues (UfU), Berlin (Thi Binh Minh Hoang )
  • Mercator Institute for China Studies (MERICS), Berlin
  • Öko-Institut e.V., Berlin

Other

  • Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM)
  • Alliance 90/The Green Party, Berlin
  • Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Eschborn
  • Deutsches Institut für Lebensmitteltechnik e.V., Quakenbrück
  • Deutscher Wetterdienst, Offenbach
  • International Carbon Action Partnership (ICAP), Berlin
  • International Council on Clean Transportation Europe, Berlin
  • SunCoal Industries GmbH, Ludwigsfelde (Shalab Poudyal )
  • Thema1 GmbH, Berlin
  • German Environment Agency, German Emissions Trading Authority, Berlin (Elizabeth Mosqueda , Danira Baigunakova )

Timeframe: application, selection, fellowship

Icon Applicants
Applicants

Icon Foundation
Foundation

Icon Notification
Notification


Application procedure Fellowship
  • Programme announcement August
  • Application deadline 1 February
  • Selection Meeting September
  • Intensive German course in Bonn January/February
    • may be preceded by German courses in own country
  • Introduction meeting March
  • Individual project work April - February

Selection procedure

A selection committee comprised of 15 researchers from Germany and non-European developing or transition countries decides who will be awarded an International Climate Protection Fellowship. The peer review is conducted largely on the basis of three selection criteria:

  • academic and professional career (determination, mobility, professional qualifications, academic success, only in the case of applicants with a doctorate: quality of key publications)
  • leadership skills in the area of climate protection
  • research project (quality, originality, feasibility, relevance to climate protection, practical relevance in the recipient’s country of origin)

  • Members of the Selection Committee

Please note

The closing date for applications is 1 February of each year.

The Selection Committee aims to issue invitations to suitable candidates by the end of June for a multi-day virtual selection meeting in September, where applicants have the opportunity to present their proposals. An independent Selection Committee will choose the fellowship recipients at this meeting. Applicants must always abide by the rules of good scientific practice  (PDF) and the principles of scientific ethics. The foundation provides information on dealing with generative AI in the selection area .

You may not apply if you have previously received funding from the Humboldt Foundation.

All the best for your application!


Questions & answers
Application requirements
I have worked in an English-speaking country for several years. Do I need an English language certificate?

No, a language certificate is not required.


Which completion date is valid if I hold multiple university degrees?

In the case of multiple degrees, the valid date is the completion date of the first Bachelor's (or comparable) degree.


What determines the completion date of my first university degree (Bachelor's or equivalent)?

The relevant date is that of completing the final requirement for your (Bachelor’s) degree (e.g. final examination, defence of thesis, oral final examination). This date will usually be included on your certificate alongside the date of issue.
The key date for calculating the period after your first university degree (Bachelor's or equivalent) is the application deadline of the ongoing selection round (1 February).


I completed my first university degree (Bachelor's or equivalent) more than twelve years ago. Can I still apply?

We cannot consider your application if you completed your first university degree (Bachelor's or equivalent) more than twelve years ago. The key date for calculating the period after your first university degree is the application deadline. If you have just passed the deadline, an exception may be made in well-founded cases (e.g. recognition of parental leave). Please send us your CV so we can advise you (info[at]avh.de ).


I do not yet possess sufficient professional experience in the field of climate protection or climate-related resource conservation. Can I still apply?

In case you do not yet possess sufficient professional experience in the field of climate protection or climate-related resource conservation (at least 48 months at the time of the application deadline), you may still apply if you hold a further academic or professional degree in the above-mentioned fields at the time of application. You may apply for an International Climate Protection Fellowship for postdoctoral researchers if you hold a doctorate or comparable academic degree (Ph.D., C.Sc. or equivalent) in the field of climate protection or climate-related resource conservation and completed your doctorate less than four years prior to the application deadline (1 February). In case you are still in the process of completing your doctorate, you may apply if you will have completed it until 31 August of the selection year.


How will child-rearing periods be considered in the application process?

Periods in which you interrupted your professional activities or your further studies following your first academic degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in order to rear children may be taken into account as career breaks after examination. The proportionate offsetting of such periods is also possible. Please always indicate child-rearing periods when filling in your application form.

Mothers can claim two extra years for each child born after their first academic degree plus any further verifiable parenting periods. Fathers and other persons responsible for raising children are only credited with verifiable parenting periods.

In general, you may apply if you completed your first academic degree (Bachelor's or equivalent) less than 12 years before the application deadline. Recognized child-rearing periods may correspondingly extend this maximum timeframe during which the submission of applications is possible. The extension is limited to 6 years.

Please contact info[at]avh.de if you have any questions.


Which other career breaks are considered in the application process?

Periods in which you interrupted your professional activities or your further studies following your first academic degree (Bachelor's or equivalent) in order to perform military or alternative service, to care for close relatives, due to long-term illness or, for example, to care for children or due to the closure of institutes during a lockdown imposed to control an epidemic may be taken into account as career breaks after examination. The proportionate offsetting of such career breaks is also possible. Please always indicate career breaks when filling in your application form.

Job hunting and unemployment do not count as career breaks.

In general, you may apply if you completed your first academic degree (Bachelor's or equivalent) less than 12 years prior to the application deadline (1 February). Recognized career breaks may correspondingly extend this maximum timeframe during which the submission of applications is possible. The extension is limited to 6 years.

Please contact info[at]avh.de if you have any questions.


Are child-rearing periods taken into account in the assessment of the previous career?

Yes, because the assessment of the previous career is always made on an individual basis at the Humboldt Foundation. Therefore, when filling in the application form, please specify all periods in which you partially or completely interrupted your professional activities or your further studies following your first academic degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent).

The voluntary disclosure of private circumstances may help increase equal opportunities during the selection process. The consideration of your personal circumstances allows for a fairer assessment of your previous career.

Please contact info[at]avh.de if you have any questions.


Are other career breaks taken into account in the assessment of the previous career?

Yes, because the assessment of the previous career is always made on an individual basis at the Humboldt Foundation. Therefore, when filling in the application form, please specify all periods in which you partially or completely interrupted your professional activities or your further studies following your first academic degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in order to perform military or alternative service, to care for close relatives, due to long-term illness, or, for example, to care for children or due to the closure of institutes during a lockdown imposed to control an epidemic.

Job hunting and unemployment do not count as career breaks.

The voluntary disclosure of private circumstances may help increase equal opportunities during the selection process. The consideration of your personal circumstances allows for a fairer assessment of your previous career.

Please contact info[at]avh.de if you have any questions.


Which (virtual) mobility rules apply with regard to Germany or third countries (non-programme countries)?

The aim of the programme is to enable prospective leaders   from non-European developing and transition countries to come to Germany to conduct a research stay here. Applicants should therefore be living and/or working in a non-European developing or transition country at the time of application.

Eligible applicants must have lived in a non-European developing or transition country (list of countries , PDF) for a minimum of 12 months in the 18-month period prior to the application deadline (1 February). 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 worked on a doctoral project at an institution in Germany in the last 18 months also is not eligible to apply.

If in doubt, please contact us before you submit your application so we can advise you (info[at]avh.de ).


Can I apply if I completed my schooling and a university degree, or a university degree and a doctorate, in Germany?

No, an application for an International Climate Protection Fellowship is not possible. If in doubt, send us a seamless CV so that we can then advise you (info[at]avh.de ).


Do I need to know German?

Applicants must provide proof of their knowledge of German if this knowledge is necessary to ensure that the research-based proposal can be implemented successfully. Otherwise you must provide proof of good knowledge of English (language certificate required).


Host
Who can be my academic host?

The academic host can be anyone who works at a public or private institution in Germany (university, research institute, public authority, non-governmental organisation, ministry, company) and is able to agree that he or she will be your mentor during your proposed stay. In order to ensure that the host in Germany is able to act as mentor, he or she must have a professional relationship to the specialist area of your planned proposal and must be able to provide a workplace for you. In case the academic host is not authorized to provide a workplace, the host’s confirmation of support has to be signed by his or her superior (e.g. executive director or director of the institute).

Individuals with whom you are in a close personal (marriage or civil partnership) or familial (parents, siblings, children) relationship cannot be selected as hosts.


How can I find a suitable host or host institution in Germany?

You are free to choose your own academic host in Germany. The Humboldt Foundation does not provide any direct support in finding a host. You can, however, find information on our page Advice on finding a host or start your search for potential host institutions in Germany via the project data base of the German Federal Environmental Foundation , the GERiT – German Research Institutions , the Klimanavigator and the link list provided by the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research . We recommend that you start looking for a host as early as possible.


What are my host's responsibilities?

The host's main responsibility is to provide the right conditions for the successful completion of your proposal in Germany and to mediate the necessary contacts to other partners or institutions. The role of the host can vary depending on the requirements of your proposal and can range from regular contact to close collaboration.


Can I implement my research-based proposal with two academic hosts?

Of course you can cooperate with other partners, institutions etc. in Germany during your stay. You can however only have one official host.

Applicants for the International Climate Fellowship Programme for postdoctoral researchers may carry out their projects with two hosts. If the hosts work at different research institutes, they must each provide a host's statement and confirmation that research facilities can be made available.


Will my host receive any additional funds to cover the costs incurred in connection with my stay at the host institution?

The host institution will receive an allowance amounting to 800 EUR per month for research-based proposals in the fields of natural sciences and engineering, and 500 EUR per month for proposals in the humanities or social sciences.


Is the International Climate Protection Fellowship suitable for inhouse-trainings?

No, the fellowship is not meant to support company employees who intend to work at German headquarters or branches. Applicants suggesting a project that includes an inhouse-training have a rather low chance of success.


Preparation/Planning
Can I apply to several Humboldt Foundation fellowship programmes at the same time, or can I apply for a Humboldt Fellowship and the Sofja Kovalevskaja Award at the same time if I fulfil the formal requirements?

No, it is not possible to apply to several fellowship programmes or the Sofja Kovalevskaja Award programme concurrently. Should you be rejected by any of them, you may, however, apply to any other programme as long as you fulfil the formal requirements.


Is the International Climate Protection Fellowship suitable for gaining additional university degrees or a Ph.D.?

No, the International Climate Protection Fellowship is awarded in order to implement the research-based proposal, which has been chosen by the fellow and agreed upon with the host. It neither aims at pursuing (partly) a Ph.D. degree. By accepting the fellowship the fellow commits him- or herself to the objective of the fellowship during the duration thereof.

Graduates who are interested in completing postgraduate studies, a doctoral dissertation or a training period in Germany should apply to the programmes offered by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) or other funding organisations.


Can I conduct part of my research-based work abroad?

During the sponsorship period, fellows may conduct short-term research visits to institutions in other European countries if this is necessary to implement the research-based proposal successfully. The maximum duration should be 1 to 2 months (for prospective leaders) or 25 per cent of the envisaged full sponsorship period (for postdocs).. Further information: Europe research stays .

You may plan a Europe research stay already in your research-based proposal when applying; however, you may apply for it only after having been awarded a fellowship.

It is not possible to apply for a research visit to your home country or a country outside Europe during the fellowship; as a rule, the fellowship then has to be interrupted for this period or the research visit abroad has to be realized prior to the beginning of the fellowship.


Who bears the travel expenses to and from Germany?

If the fellow’s own institution does not cover travel expenses, the Humboldt Foundation will pay a single lump sum for return travel. The Humboldt Foundation will only pay travel expenses for family members in exceptional circumstances.


Can I apply for a fellowship from another institution at the same time I submit my application to the Humboldt Foundation?

In principle, it is possible to file parallel applications. You must, however, indicate this on the application form and inform us immediately of any other applications you submit and any other sponsorship decisions that occur while we are considering your application.


Are there deadlines for submitting applications?

Yes. The complete application package must be received by 1 February.


How often do selection rounds take place?

There is one Selection Meeting per year. Interview candidates participate virtually.


What is the value of the fellowship?

Please refer to our current programme informations:

  • International Climate Protection Fellowships (PDF)
  • International Climate Protection Fellowships for Postdoctoral Researchers (PDF)

What is the timetable for the fellowship?

The fellowship enables prospective leaders working practically to spend a year in Germany to implement a research-based proposal and postdoctoral researchers to implement long-term research proposals (12-24 months) at a German host institution.

The following timetable is mandatory for all fellows:


January - February 2025: Intensive German course in Germany (optional)
March 2025: three-week introductory seminar at several locations in Germany
April 2025 – February 2026: Work on individual proposals
June 2025: Annual Meeting of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, including reception by the Federal President of Germany (optional)
Autumn 2025: Two-week study tour through Germany
January/February 2026: final week, including reception

For postdoctoral researchers afterwards: continuation of the research proposal for the period applied for, individual trainings and participation in programme events of the Foundation (optional)

 


When can I take part in a language course?

The intensive German course can only be taken immediately prior to the start of the fellowship.


Do I have to take part in a language course?

There is no obligation to take part in a language course. The Humboldt Foundation strongly recommends that all fellows who know little or no German participate in the two-month intensive language course.


Can the fellowship be postponed?

No. The fellowship must be taken up in accordance with the programme timetable.


Can I bring my family?

The Humboldt Foundation welcomes the idea that fellows´ partners and children should accompany them and encourages this by paying family allowances in addition to the fellowship, provided that the family members accompany the fellow for more than three months.


Application documents
What information should the letter of motivation contain?

Your letter of motivation should contain information about your relevant personal and professional qualifications as relating to the fellowship. It should further describe the personal and professional goals you wish to pursue with the fellowship.


What information should the research-based proposal contain?

  • The proposal must contain the following information: subject, methods, aims and bibliography of the planned proposal. You are further requested to draw up a schedule including milestones for the funding period.
  • You must independently draw up this schedule and agree it with your intended host in Germany before submitting your application.
  • Please also explain what results you expect and how these are relevant to climate change (in terms of reducing emissions, adapting to climate change and conserving of biodiversity in a changing climate).
  • We also ask that you outline how you intend to publish the results of your proposal during and after your fellowship, and what target groups you particularly plan to address.

Who must provide letters of recommendation for my application and how many references are required?

Please request letters of recommendation from two people who can give well-founded accounts of your professional, academic and personal background as well as your leadership skills, e.g.

  • your current supervisor / mentor
  • previous supervisors / mentors

Applicants for International Climate Protection Fellowships for postdoctoral researchers should ask for an expert review written by their doctoral supervisor. The second letter of recommendation should preferably be written by a reviewer not working at the applicant’s own institute.

Please note: The host’s statement is not considered a letter of recommendation!


Can I apply after the official closing date for applications?

After the respective closing date it is unfortunately not possible anymore to submit an application online. In this programme applications by email, post or fax are not permitted.


How often can I submit an application online?

You can only submit your application once. It is, however, possible to save your application and return to it as often as you like prior to submission. Please note, however, that your complete application must reach the Humboldt Foundation by the closing date at the latest. Incomplete applications may be excluded from the respective selection round.


Who should send the host’s statement to the Humboldt Foundation?

The host uploads his/her statement as well as  the confirmation of support in a secure area of our online platform, adding them to your application form. You can find the link to this area in the application form. Please send this link on a timely basis to the designated person. Once all the documents have been uploaded, you will automatically be notified by email and will then be able to submit your application. You are responsible for ensuring that your documents are complete. Please draw your host’s attention to our list of questions for the host's statement (PDF) and the required confirmation of support .


Should my expert reviews be sent directly to the Humboldt Foundation or enclosed with the application?

Your expert reviewers upload the required documents in a secure area of our online platform, adding them to your application form. You can find the links to this area in the application form. Please send these links on a timely basis to the designated persons. Once all the documents have been uploaded, you will automatically be notified by email and will then be


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