Planetary Transitions 2026 : Potsdam Artist Residency (f_m_x)

Helmholtz Centre Potsdam; Potsdam; Vor Ort; EUR 20.000 - 40.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

A research institute is offering a fellowship for international artists in Potsdam, Germany, to explore art and sustainability. The fellowship lasts 4-6 months, provides a €2,500 monthly stipend, and includes support for housing and travel. Applicants should possess a strong portfolio, proficiency in English, and an interest in sustainability. All application documents must be submitted in English, with specific requirements for each document to support the selected projects. Diversity initiatives are actively encouraged in recruitment.

Leistungen

Monthly stipend of €2,500

Housing support up to €5,000

Assistance with visa applications

Qualifikationen

• Active artist in any field, including visual arts, filmmaking, literature, and music.
• Demonstrated interest in climate justice and planetary futures.

Aufgaben

• Develop projects exploring the intersection of art and sustainability.
• Present work to the public during the fellowship.

Kenntnisse

Proficiency in English

Strong portfolio

Interest in sustainability

Jobbeschreibung

Reference Number: 10920

Overview

The DAAD Artists‑in‑Berlin Program, the City of Potsdam, and the Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) at GFZ invite international artists to develop projects that explore the intersection between art and sustainability during a fellowship in Potsdam, Germany. The programme seeks to foster exchange between arts, academia, politics, and civil society and welcomes critical voices that are absent in German and Western European sustainability discussions.

Who can apply

Applications are open to artists active in any field – from visual arts to filmmaking, performing arts, literature, music, and beyond – who have an interest in sustainability, climate justice, and planetary futures. Applicants should have a strong portfolio, some proficiency in English, and a willingness to engage with RIFS research groups.

Areas of Interest

• Air quality
• Climate change
• Consumption
• Democracy
• Digitalisation
• Energy and just transition
• Mindsets and mobility
• Rights of nature, risks, and hazards
• Citizen engagement
• Sustainability challenges in the Arctic, European cities, Latin America (Amazon), Southern (Himalaya), Eastern Asia, and the Oceans

Fellowship Details

The fellowship spans at least four, preferably up to six months, starting mid‑2026. Fellows receive a monthly stipend of €2,500, a lump sum for return travel, and up to €5,000 for housing support. We provide assistance with visa applications and other legal requirements.

Application Documents

• Letter of motivation (≤ 2 pages): explain motivation, outline how the project would benefit from a collaboration with a RIFS research group, state the preferred group, and declare any AI use.
• CV (≤ 2 pages): outline key career milestones.
• Portfolio (≤ 20 pages): provide portfolio or links to websites hosting your work.
• Proposal (≤ 10 pages): outline your intended project during the fellowship, how it relates to sustainability, and implementation at RIFS, Potsdam/ Berlin area, or the German art world; specify required work spaces, materials, or resources.

All documents must be separate PDF files in English, each not exceeding 5 MB. The complete application should not exceed 25 MB.

Selection Process

Representatives of the DAAD Artists‑in‑Berlin Program, the City of Potsdam, RIFS, and independent external jury members from academia and the arts will select the successful applicants. The top candidates will be interviewed before a final decision, which will be made in March/April 2026.

Expectations During the Fellowship

Successful applicants are expected to present their work to the public, sharing topics, approaches, and perspectives on planetary transitions. The presentation does not have to involve finished pieces.

Diversity and Equal Opportunities

RIFS promotes diversity and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of ethnic or social origin, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, or physical characteristics. Candidates recognized as severely disabled receive preferential consideration in accordance with German law. We actively promote women in science and leadership positions and encourage women to apply. Single parents with young children or small families are welcome; please contact Solange Lingnau for family‑friendly accommodation.

Contact

For further queries, contact Achim Maas, Head of the RIFS Fellow Programme, by email or phone at +49 (0)331‑6264‑22‑355.

About RIFS

RIFS conducts research to identify and advance pathways for sustainable transformations in Germany and abroad. Founded in 2009 as the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies, it became part of the Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences, GFZ, in January 2023.