The Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) in Potsdam, previously known as the Institute for Sustainability Studies (IASS), is part of the Helmholtz Association, with the GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences. RIFS collaborates with a range of stakeholders, including researchers, governmental bodies, private sectors, and civil society, to address sustainability challenges. Its research covers areas such as climate change mitigation, sustainable governance, and cultural transformations in the Anthropocene. Additionally, RIFS promotes knowledge exchange through its Fellow Programme, strengthening its sustainability initiatives.

The RIFS currently employs approximately 120 people from over 30 countries. In 2019 the Board of Directors was composed of the Institute's three Scientific Directors – Mark G. Lawrence, Patrizia Nanz and Ortwin Renn – and its Head of Administration, Jakob Meyer. The RIFS receives funding from the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research (85%) and the Federal State of Brandenburg (15%). The Institute's research programme currently spans five areas: Democratic Transformations; Systemic Interdependencies: Nature, Technology, Society; Perceptions, Values, Orientation; Energy Systems and Societal Change; Governance for the Environment and Society. These research areas are supported in their work by a cross-cutting research area tasked with facilitating dialogue between science, policy-makers, and civil society actors.

The IASS (Now the RIFS) was founded in Potsdam, Germany, on 2 February 2009. Klaus Töpfer was the Institute's founding director. He led the Institute as its executive director until September 2015, together with scientific directors Carlo Rubbia (June 2010 – May 2015) and Mark G. Lawrence (from October 2011).

In January 2023, the IASS merged with the Helmholtz Association, Germany’s largest scientific organization, and was incorporated into the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), while retaining its scientific independence. The GFZ is Germany’s national research centre for the study of the geosphere. Since then, the IASS has renamed itself the Research Institute for Sustainability.

The RIFS uses a number of publications formats to disseminate its findings and policy recommendations. These include:

• RIFS Policy Briefs – Policy recommendations and assessments
• RIFS Fact Sheets – Brief overviews of research relating to topics addressed by the Institute
• RIFS Studies – Detailed research findings addressing a central issue
• RIFS Working Paper – Interim research findings and interventions in current debates

Other publication formats include articles in scholarly journals, statements, monographs, and edited volumes. The institute also hosts a blog on its website.

• Research Institute for Sustainability
• Institut für Klimawandel, Erdsystem und Nachhaltigkeit – Artikel im PotsdamWiki
• Vorbild Princeton: Potsdam bekommt eine Denkfabrik für Klimaforschung – Spiegel Online, 30. Juni 2009

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