New Scholarships in Climate Protection available for Kenyans and other Africans

Are you interested in a scholarship? Are you interested in spending a year working with a host of your choice in Germany on a research-based project you have developed yourself in the field of climate protection and climate-related resource conservation? And are you a young, innovative professional and do you consider yourself a future leader?

The German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB) is this year awarding climate protection scholarships to 20 successful candidates, according to a report by the ministry. This is in continuation of a tradition where the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation awards a maximum of 20 scholarships to successful candidates since 2010. These scholarships are targeted at young professionals from developing and emerging countries. Kenya which (like most African countries) has previously benefited from this initiative remains on the shortlist.

In a party organised to bid goodbye to current beneficiaries of the programme Schwarzelühr-Sutter, the parliamentary state secretary for the BMUB affirmed the importance of the scholarships: “This scholarship program promotes the emergence of international network of future decision makers in climate and environmental conservation. During their stay in Germany, they gain different know-how [sic] about possible effects of climate change (global warming) in their countries and how to reduce the effects.”

This will be the seventh consecutive year that the scholarships will be offered and the next deadline for applications is set for 1^st March 2017.

During the training in Germany, the recipients will be hosted by a German university or another suitable institution for a period of one year during which they are taken through a course in climate or resources protection. The aim of the course is to exchange knowledge on methodologies and techniques. The scholarship program promotes a network of German and international professionals who come together to question subjects related to climate and environmental protection.

Submit an application, if you

• are a future leader from a non-European transition or developing country (see list of countries)
• are active in any of the following areas: scientific, engineering-based, legal, economic, health-related or social aspects of climate change
• are interested in spending a year working with a host of your choice in Germany on a research-based project you have developed yourself in the field of climate protection and climate-related resource conservation

We offer you

• a monthly fellowship of between €2,150 and €2,650, depending on your qualifications
• individual mentoring during your stay in Germany
• additional financial support for items such as family members accompanying you, travel expenses or a German language course
• a three-week introductory phase, during which you will have the opportunity to make contact with other climate protection fellows and visit companies, research institutions and cultural events in Germany
• extensive alumni sponsorship, particularly to help you sustain contact with collaborative partners in Germany during your entire professional career

Please see the Programme information (PDF | HTML) for details of the application requirements and fellowship specifications.