Scholarship Spotlight: How the Climate Action Scholarship Empowered a Future Climate Policy Leader

Each year the Hertie School awards at least two Climate Action Scholarships for incoming Master of Public Policy students. These competitive awards cover 100% of tuition fees for students who wish to explore climate action, sustainability, and energy policy issues. Read below how the Climate Action Scholarship facilitated a Brazilian Master of Public Policy student, Thales Vieira, in relocating from São Paolo to Berlin to specialize in climate policy at the Hertie School. 

Q: Hi Thales! Can you briefly introduce yourself?

A: Hi, I’m Thales Vieira, a second-year Master of Public Policy student at the Hertie School, supported by the Climate Action Scholarship. My academic interests focus on sustainability, climate policy, climate justice, and social inequalities, with a particular emphasis on the Global South.

I hold a bachelor’s degree in public administration from FGV EAESP in São Paulo, with a focus on sustainability and international relations, and spent a semester abroad at LUISS Guido Carli in Rome. Before Hertie, I worked for five years in government relations in Brazil, partnering with municipal, state, and federal governments on sustainability and human development projects, and contributing to national regulatory frameworks.

I am currently completing a Professional Year at GIZ, working on international climate and biodiversity projects and supporting governments in the implementation of global biodiversity targets, with a specific focus on Indigenous peoples and local communities.

Q: Why did you decide to apply specifically for the Climate Action Scholarship, and how does it connect to your long-term interests?

A: I decided to apply for the Climate Action Scholarship because receiving financial support was essential for me to pursue my master’s degree. At the same time, the Climate Action scholarship aligned perfectly with my academic and professional interests. Having grown up in a socially and environmentally vulnerable context in Brazil, my interest in sustainability and climate justice has long shaped my academic choices and career ambitions. The scholarship supports not only my studies, but also my long-term goal of working in climate policy with a focus on the Global South and contributing to more just and inclusive outcomes.

Q: How did you approach writing the scholarship personal statement, and what message did you want the selection committee to understand about you?

I approached the personal statement with a strong sense of honesty and purpose. Beyond the prestige of receiving a scholarship, I believe financial support should be granted to those who genuinely need it and whose trajectories truly align with the scholarship’s mission. I therefore wanted to make two things very clear: first, that coming from a low-income family, financial support was essential for me to pursue my studies; and second, that my long-standing academic, professional, and personal commitment to sustainability and climate action closely matched the purpose of the Climate Action Scholarship. Overall, I wanted the committee to understand that I am someone who has worked persistently toward this goal. 

Q: How did you experience the scholarship interview? What helped you feel prepared for it?

A: I experienced the scholarship interview as a very positive and welcoming conversation. Although I was quite nervous beforehand — it’s one of those moments you naturally care a lot about — the interview itself felt calm and engaging, and the person interviewing me made me feel comfortable from the start. It didn’t feel like an interrogation, but rather an opportunity to talk openly about my motivations, experiences, and aspirations. I left the interview feeling more relaxed and less anxious than when I entered.

What helped me feel prepared was being very familiar with my own story. I revisited my personal statement and CV, treating the interview as a chance to deepen and expand on what I had already shared on paper. I also studied the profiles of the interviewers, which had been shared with me beforehand, and familiarized myself with the Centre for Sustainability’s recent projects, which helped me connect my academic, professional, and voluntary experiences to their work. Practicing beforehand, reflecting on possible questions, and proactively addressing key points during my introduction gave me additional confidence. Finally, paying attention to practical details, such as lighting, internet connection, and having a calm space, helped reduce unnecessary stress and allowed me to focus fully on the conversation.

Q: How has receiving a full scholarship shaped your experience, both academic and professional choices you have made since starting the programme?

A: Receiving the full scholarship has profoundly shaped my experience at Hertie, both academically and professionally.

Academically, it allowed me to fully immerse myself in the programme, explore my passion for sustainability and climate policy, and engage deeply with faculty, peers, and projects aligned with my long-term goals; all without the stress of financial constraints.

Professionally, the scholarship opened doors that would have otherwise been out of reach. It enabled me to take on my current Professional Year at GIZ, contributing to biodiversity and climate change projects, and to gain skills and experiences that are shaping my future career.

Beyond these opportunities, the scholarship has given me confidence and a strong sense of responsibility, serving as a reminder that the support I received is not just for me, but a tool to amplify my ability to contribute to a more just and sustainable world.

Q: While the scholarship covers tuition, how do you manage your living expenses in Berlin, and what advice would you give future students planning their budget?

A: Managing living expenses in Berlin while studying at Hertie can feel daunting, but my advice to future students is simple: don’t give up, stay organized, and be creative!

From the moment I started planning my budget, I kept encountering new obstacles that made my dream feel increasingly distant. Discovering that I needed a blocked account with ~€11,000 was a huge shock. Yet, I refused to give up. To make it work, I combined several strategies. I applied for external scholarships through Hertie’s Funding Navigator and was fortunate to be awarded one. I also organized a crowdfunding campaign in Brazil to help cover the blocked account. Additionally, I took on freelance video editing projects to supplement my income.

Being realistic and highly organized was crucial. I carefully calculated my monthly living costs, including all seemingly small but essential expenses, and prepared for the first months in Berlin, when I couldn’t yet access the blocked account funds or work until my visa was finalized. Planning ahead and thinking through every detail gave me confidence and control over a situation that could have easily felt overwhelming.

This experience taught me that determination, creativity, and careful planning can make even the most daunting financial challenges manageable.

Q: How do you hope to use your Hertie education to contribute to climate action and human development in the future?

I want to use my Hertie education to drive meaningful climate action that prioritizes those most affected by environmental change. Growing up in São Paulo, I witnessed first-hand how inequality and environmental challenges intersect — an experience that fuels my commitment to empower communities facing similar challenges today.

At Hertie, I have gained the knowledge, skills, and networks to turn this commitment into tangible action. I aspire to continue specializing in climate policy, pursuing both academic and professional opportunities that allow me to research and implement solutions that empower marginalized communities, promote climate justice, and improve human development.

The Climate Action Scholarship has been instrumental in making this possible. It not only enabled me to pursue my master’s at Hertie but also gave me the freedom and confidence to fully engage with the programme, ultimately opening doors to opportunities like my current Professional Year at GIZ.

Looking ahead, I hope to translate my education into meaningful, global impact, helping those who are most vulnerable to climate change and advancing sustainable development worldwide.