Deadline: Ongoing
The Green Talents Competition focuses on outstanding young scientists who are active in the field of sustainable development. The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) fosters interdisciplinary approaches in this regard. This year’s competition is held under the banner “Smart Green Planet – Solutions for a Sustainable Future”. Applicants can therefore come from any scientific field closely related to sustainability research.
The prestigious Green Talents programme offers you the unique opportunity to become part of an exceptional world-wide network of outstanding young minds and leading German institutions. The first part of the prize consists of an invitation to a two-week Science Forum in Germany, where you will be introduced to renowned research facilities and have individual meetings with experts (individual appointments). Here you will learn about potential collaborations and experience the country’s excellent research infrastructure at close hand. In addition, a workshop on research and funding opportunities will provide you with further information for your future research stay in Germany. The journey will culminate within a festive award ceremony hosted by a high-level representative from the BMBF.
You will have the opportunity to return to Germany for up to three months to conduct a research stay at an institute of your choice the year after the Science Forum.
This programme is directed at and looking for outstanding individuals with exceptional characters. We look at an individual’s research potential and their passion for what they do and where we think this might take them some day. Luckily, everyone is different and it is this uniqueness that we want to cherish. It is therefore not possible to apply as a team. In addition it is not only about what you do now but also about what your aspirations are for the future. This is why we do not fund projects but aim to foster individual development.
The Science Forum and the extended research stay will be fully-financed by the BMBF.
Funding:
- When selected as a “Green Talent”, you will be invited to a two-week Science Forum in Germany (which takes place in October).
- The BMBF will cover your travel expenses (to/from Germany and during the trip) as well as your meals and accommodation during the Science Forum.
They will cover the round trip to Germany and back to your country of residence and also provide a monthly allowance when you return for your research stay the year after the Science Forum. This allowance is intended to support you during your stay and will be sufficient for accommodation, insurance, food and your daily needs. However, it is not intended to support your research.
Note:
Costs for health insurance and visa fees cannot be covered and must be paid by the participants.
- The BMBF will cover your travel expenses (to/from Germany and during the trip) as well as your meals and accommodation during the Science Forum.
They will cover the round trip to Germany and back to your country of residence and also provide a monthly allowance when you return for your research stay the year after the Science Forum. This allowance is intended to support you during your stay and will be sufficient for accommodation, insurance, food and your daily needs. However, it is not intended to support your research.
Note:
Costs for health insurance and visa fees cannot be covered and must be paid by the participants.
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Enrolment in a master’s or PhD programme or a degree (master’s/PhD) completed no more than three years before the end of the application process
- No more than three years of professional work experience (this excludes professional work experiences gained within the scope of an academic degree)
- Strong focus on sustainable development and an interdisciplinary approach in any field of sustainability research
- Proven excellent command of English
- Significantly above-average grades
- Not a German citizen nor a resident of Germany (individuals therefore not eligible to apply: German passport holders as well as anyone living in Germany at the time of application even if the residence is temporary)
How to apply:
The application consists of the following four parts:
- Forms with personal information and questions about your academic and professional career, including details about university degrees, research work, lists of publications, etc. You will not have to upload a CV.
- Questions regarding your motivation to participate in the Science Forum (we recommend that you write your answers in advance and simply copy them into the text fields):
- Please briefly explain your actual research by showing how it relates to sustainable development and demonstrate your interdisciplinary interest.
- What new perspective are you providing to sustainability research? What is your professional goal?
- How is your research/work related to sustainability science in Germany? Please also indicate which of the institutions in this year’s Science Forum are most relevant to you and why.
- What do you expect to gain from the Green Talents Award for your future career?
- Questions regarding your scientific qualification. We kindly ask to uplaod your latest FINAL graduation certificate as well as your latest course record. Full academic transcripts are required, because they convey important information such as specifics about the composition of the study programme, credit requirements and student performance. If you have only recently started a post-graduate study programme (Master or PhD), please upload your graduation certificate as well as a confirmation of matriculation.
- Questions regarding your publications and patents. You are not asked to hand in full articles. We merely require a list of books/chapters/articles you (co-)authored. Therefore please complete the Excel template you find during the application process and list your publications in chronological order, naming the titles, potential co-authors, the publisher and the context (book/chapter/article/conference paper etc.).
- Include articles/papers that have been submitted but have not yet been approved.
- Exclude articles/papers under preparation.
- Letter of recommendation: a letter in which the author assesses the qualities, characteristics and capabilities of the person being recommended in terms of the individual’s ability to perform a particular task or function. This
- should focus on your career as a scientist and activities up until now,
- must be in English,
- should not be older than 6 months,
- can be written by current or past supervisors from either academia or industry.
- Please note that one letter of recommendation is totally sufficient, but you are free to upload up to three. Your application is incomplete and cannot be processed without this document. However, we are well aware that despite it being common practice for individuals being assessed to be handed a reference letter in Europe, this may not be the case in other countries. If your assessor refuses to give you a letter of recommendation, please upload a Word document with his/her name and complete your application. The assessor should then send us a letter via email to [email protected], stating your name and application ID number. We will add the letter to your documents. Important: the letter must reach us before the deadline. Otherwise your application will be incomplete and therefore disqualified.
- It is mandatory to indicate the level of your English skills and to add an English language certificate to your application. For example, this can be a certificate from a language examination (TOEFL, IELTS etc.), a certificate from language classes you have taken or confirmation from your university that your courses are taught in English. As a native speaker, please simply fill out and attach the self declaration of proficiency in English signed by yourself, indicating your full proficiency.
