About The Prince of Wales Global Sustainability Fellowship Programme

The University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) has established The Prince of Wales Global Sustainability Fellowship Programme with an ambition to unlock the potential of the University to partner with business, government and finance institutions on real-world challenges and opportunities that must be addressed in order to build a sustainable economy.

The Programme aims to foster new cross-disciplinary thinking on sustainability, leading to practical insights, tools and recommendations for decision-makers to carry into their organisations alongside important advances in fundamental knowledge. From 2020 the Programme will be based at CISL’s new premises; a low carbon retrofitted building in the centre of Cambridge, which will serve as a vibrant, collaborative atmosphere for transdisciplinary research, education and industry and policy engagement.

Working in close association with academic departments and Cambridge colleges, the Programme will attract outstanding candidates to undertake transdisciplinary research into themes such as health, social inclusion, industrial transformation, natural capital, sustainable finance, future cities and leadership for sustainability.

The Programme is currently funded to support research on the following themes:

• Industrial transformation: How will industries, jobs and markets evolve in future decades in response to global challenges, and how should public policy act with business to smooth this path and ensure economic development is inclusive and sustainable?
• Social inclusion: How can companies support more equitable access to income, opportunity and livelihoods at a grassroots level?
• Health: How can companies become agents of improved wellbeing in low-income countries through preventing the causes of ill-health?
• Leadership: How can companies shape the economy to deliver positive sustainability outcomes, while at the same time ensuring successful and resilient organisations?

In the future we hope the Programme will expand to cover the following additional themes:

• Sustainable finance: How can we create a finance system that incentivises and rewards long-term thinking?
• Natural capital: How can companies sustain the natural world and the resources it provides through their strategies and operating practices?
• Future cities: How can cities develop vibrant communities of healthy people, supported by clean, green energy, food, water and transportation systems?

HRH The Prince of Wales has agreed that the University can establish the Programme in his name to bring researchers together with influential corporate and policy practitioners across the globe. Launched in July 2018, it represents a public tribute to his leadership in the cause of protecting the environment, promoting healthy communities, and building sound economies around the world.  

Funding for the Fellowships has been secured through philanthropic donations from companies, foundations and individuals.

"Universities contribute to society through the creation of new knowledge and the development of new skills. It is our aspiration to do this in ways that are relevant and purposeful.

The Prince of Wales Global Sustainability Fellowship Programme, hosted by the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, will help us to do just that by allowing academics to engage productively with business, government and financial institutions for society's benefit – both in the UK and globally."

Professor Stephen Toope, Vice-Chancellor, University of Cambridge

Applying to become a Prince of Wales Global Sustainability Fellow

This exciting new Programme offers Fellows the opportunity to develop and lead research projects of relevance to one of the defined topics. Fellows may have the opportunity to enhance their impact by teaching on CISL’s executive and graduate programmes, and/or supervising students studying for the Master's in Sustainability Leadership and other CISL graduate programmes.

The first round of Fellowships is now open for applications with a second round following in September 2019. We are currently accepting applications for the following topics:

A second round of recruitment is planned for September 2019 and includes themes such as Health (Royal DSM), Social Inclusion (Sainsbury’s), Future Cities (Heathrow), and Leadership (Anglian Water). If you wish to be notified when the second round opens, please register your interest (see below).

Appointing the Fellows

The Prince of Wales Global Sustainability Fellows will be appointed via the following paths:

External applicants

The Programme invites applications from candidates around the world to join CISL as Senior Research Associates. This opportunity is open to highly regarded researchers with a strong academic record and interest in conducting research in business, policy or civil society contexts. Appointments will typically be full time; however, part-time applications will be considered at a minimum of 80 per cent FTE.  Individuals may also be appointed on alternative models such as secondment, subject to approval by CISL and the host institution.

Apply for this opportunity.

University of Cambridge applicants

This opportunity is open to highly regarded researchers at any stage of their careers, and from any relevant discipline that are employed by the University of Cambridge. Consideration will be given to candidates who wish to take this opportunity up as a secondment (or related model) provided they hold a contract of employment with the University of Cambridge that is not due to end during the period of the Fellowship. The funding available per Fellowship may be used flexibly to cover the costs of a minimum 40 per cent secondment and associated additional research support employed by CISL. (Cambridge applicants are also free to apply to be appointed as SRAs via the route above.)  

Apply for this opportunity.

Each recruitment path requires candidates to upload the following documents to the University’s Web Recruitment System:

• Cover letter
• Full CV
• Completed research proposal template. 
• Proof of institutional support (only applicable if you are applying for a secondment). 

College affiliation

Cambridge colleges operate autonomously from the University and complement the work of academic departments by providing a stimulating environment for cross-disciplinary and social interaction, while also providing access to facilities and pastoral support. Should they wish, Fellows will be eligible to become members of Trinity College Post-Doctoral Society. Further information can be found here and on their events page.