Klaus Töpfer Sustainability Fellowship 2023

The Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies e.V. (IASS) is an international, inter-, and transdisciplinary research institute located in Potsdam, Germany. Prof. Dr Klaus Töpfer is the Founding Director of the IASS. The main purpose of the institute is to integrate different types of knowledge needed to support a transformation of society towards sustainability by conducting scientific research particularly in the areas of air quality and climate change, energy transitions, governance for sustainable development, and more.

With a wealth of experience in science, politics, and the non-profit sector, Klaus Töpfer embodies the unique combination of perspectives required to realise the vision of the IASS. With its Klaus Töpfer Sustainability Fellowship, the IASS wants to support individuals who, like Klaus Töpfer, are committed to sustainable development and build bridges between science, politics, and society.

The IASS is currently seeking applications from highly talented mid-career professionals from Germany or abroad who have worked for at least ten years on sustainability issues and have the potential to serve as change agents towards sustainable development. Applicants should bring innovative ideas from their respective fields in science, the arts, civil society, business, politics, or other areas of society and have gained professional experience in different countries and cultures.

The Klaus Töpfer Sustainability Fellowship is awarded for one year. The Fellow is expected to pursue their project(s) on site at the IASS during their stay and actively contribute to the work of the institute, for example by holding seminars and participating in other IASS activities. The Fellowship should start in the first quarter of 2023. The Fellow will receive financial compensation to cover additional living costs during their stay in Germany. The exact amount depends on the particular situation of the successful applicant and will be decided on an individual basis, commensurate with the general guidelines of the IASS Fellow Programme. In addition, the Klaus Töpfer Sustainability Fellowship is supported by a discretionary budget of up to 50,000 €, which can be applied to cover travel expenses, publication fees, support for organizing workshops, production costs for artistic work, etc.

To apply, please submit the following documents by April 17, 2022, 23:59 Central European Summertime (CEST):

• A letter of motivation: Please mention any prior experience at the interface of science and another sector of society (such as politics, business, the arts, media, etc.).
• A current CV, which should not exceed four pages, outlining your career path and most important achievements. When listing achievements, please list only the five most important items (e.g., five most important publications).
• A proposal outlining the activities to be conducted during the applicant’s tenure as a Klaus Töpfer Sustainability Fellow. The proposal should be no longer than ten pages (excluding references).
• At least one letter of recommendation. The letter of recommendation should include biographical information and contact details of the person recommending.

Please send your application to fellowship@iass-potsdam.de. The selection process will involve a committee including external advisors, and a selection is anticipated in late summer, 2022.