Planetary Transitions 2026: Potsdam Artist Residency

The Potsdam Memorandum of 2007 called on science and society to tap into all sources of ingenuity and cooperation in an effort to tackle the great planetary challenges of our time. The arts are among these sources: They can provide insights beyond the scope of scientific analysis and policy development, challenge our views and open new avenues to work together towards alternative futures, while fostering dialogue across cultures, ontologies, and territories.

The DAAD Artists-in-Berlin Program, the City of Potsdam, and the Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) at GFZ are issuing a joint call for applications for international artists who wish to develop work that explores the intersection between art and sustainability during a fellowship in Potsdam, Germany. The programme seeks to foster exchange between the arts, academia, politics, and civil society. We encourage the participation of artists with critical voices and perspectives that are absent in German and Western European discussions on sustainability.

We especially welcome applications from candidates whose interests dovetail with our research activities in the areas of: air quality, climate change, consumption, democracy, digitalisation, energy, just transition, mindsets, mobility, rights of nature, risks and hazards, citizen engagement, and/or sustainability challenges faced in the Arctic, European cities and regions (e.g., Brandenburg/Berlin), Latin America (particularly the Amazon region), Southern (in particular the Himalaya region) and Eastern Asia, or the Oceans.

The successful applicant will join the RIFS Fellow Programme, which frequently hosts artists as well as scientists and practitioners from business and civil society. The fellowship spans a period of at least four and ideally up to six months, starting in mid-2026. Fellows will receive a monthly stipend of 2,500 Euro, plus a lump sum for travel expenses (return journey to Potsdam from your current country of residence), and up to 5,000 Euros for housing support. In addition, we provide support on various legal requirements such as visa applications.

This call for applications is open to artists active in any field – from the visual arts to filmmaking, the performing arts, literature, music, and beyond. While we value artistic experience, we recognize that exceptional talent and creativity can often transcend traditional benchmarks. We encourage individuals with a passion for their craft and a strong portfolio to apply. We welcome joint applications by artistic collectives, but our financial resources (see above) are limited. Some proficiency in the English language, as well as interest in research on sustainability, climate justice and/or planetary futures, are preconditions for a successful residency.

If so, we look forward to receiving your application in English. Application deadline is 8th February 2026.

Your application must include the following documents as individual PDF files, each not exceeding 5MB:

Letter of motivation (max. 2 pages): Please explain your motivation to apply for this fellowship. In particular, please outline how your project would benefit from a collaboration with one of the RIFS research groups. Please indicate which RIFS research group would be your preferred cooperation partner. Please declare any use of AI in preparing your application.

CV (max. 2 pages): Please outline the key steps in your career.

Portfolio (max. 20 pages): Please provide us with your portfolio or links to websites hosting your work.

Proposal (max. 10 pages): Please outline your intended project during your fellowship, paying special attention to how it would relate to sustainability and be implemented at RIFS, in the Potsdam/Berlin area and/or the German art world. Please make explicit, what work spaces, materials or other resources you require to implement your project.

All documents must be submitted as separate PDF files in English via our online application portal. Your complete application (all files) should not exceed 25MB.

Successful applicants will be selected by representatives from the DAAD Artists-in-Berlin Program, the City of Potsdam, RIFS and independent external jury members from academia and the arts. The top candidate(s) will be interviewed prior to make a final decision.

We expect to reach our decision in March/April 2026.

As part of the fellowship, we expect that the successful applicant(s) present their work to the public. This does not necessarily mean completed art pieces, but more broadly their topics, approach and perspective on planetary transitions.

Please check also our FAQ section. In case of any further queries, please contact Achim Maas, Head of the RIFS Fellow Programme, either via email or phone

Please use our online application form only.

Diversity and equal opportunities are integral components of our human resources policy. The RIFS actively promotes diversity and explicitly welcomes applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of ethnic and social origin, nationality, gender, sexual orientation and identity, religion/belief, age and physical characteristics. Anyone who has been recognized as severely disabled, will be given preferential consideration in the event of equal suitability and qualification in accordance with the provisions of the German Social Code IX. In case of further queries regarding gender equality, please do not hesitate to contact our Equal Opportunities Officer.

'Diversity in perspectives' is a high value for us. As an integral part of supporting diversity at our centre, we actively promote women in science and in leadership positions. We among others do this through our gender equality plan and the cascade model measures which we actively implement to enable sustainable equal opportunities in academic career paths. We are thus committedly strives for gender equality in science, including in leadership positions, and strongly encourages women to apply.

Applications from single parents with young children or small families are welcomed. Please contact Solange Lingnau to inquire about family-friendly accommodation.

Your personal data will be processed for the purpose of conducting the selection procedure on the basis of Art. 6 para. 1 b, Art. 88 GDPR in conjunction with Art. 26 of the Data Protection Act for the State of Brandenburg. After completion of the procedure, application documents will be deleted in compliance with data protection regulations. The selection process will involve a committee including external advisors who will receive the applications. Your personal data will, of course, be treated confidentially and will be communicated to the involved person exclusively for the purpose of evaluating your professional suitability within the framework of this selection procedure. Once the procedure has been completed, the personal data will also be deleted there in compliance with data protection regulations.

In case of any further queries relating to the field of activity, please contact Achim Maas, Head of the RIFS Fellow Programme via email or telephone

The Research Institute for Sustainability at GFZ (RIFS) conducts research with the aim of investigating, identifying, and advancing development pathways for transformation processes towards sustainability in Germany and abroad. The institute was founded in 2009 as the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS) and has been affiliated with the GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences under its new name since the 1st of January 2023 and is thus part of the Helmholtz Association.