Experience parliamentary democracy in Germany!

The German Bundestag invites politically and socially engaged young university graduates from Southern Africa (Botswana, Namibia, South Africa), East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda), and West Africa (Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal) to Berlin for a scholarship programme in January.

The Idea
Since 2020, the German Bundestag has been offering a scholarship programme for talented and politically interested young university graduates from Sub-Saharan Africa who are interested in the German parliamentary system and are actively committed to democratic values in their home countries.
As part of a four-week compact programme, up to 24 scholarship holders gain first-hand insight into the German parliamentary system and political decision-making processes in the German Bundestag.

The Programme
The programme will take place from 4 January to 2 February 2027.
The core element of the programme is a one-week work placement in the office of a Member of the German Bundestag.
In preparation, participants receive compact training on parliamentary democracy as well as the structure and functions of parliament. In addition, topics such as pluralistic society, minority protection, and the culture of remembrance are addressed as political responsibilities.
A series of workshops is offered on various topics, including corruption and intercultural training. A workshop on project management helps participants develop their own project ideas aimed at promoting democracy and civil society in their home countries.

The Scholarship
Participants receive a monthly scholarship of €700.
The scholarship also includes:
• free accommodation in a residential complex
• coverage of travel costs to and from Berlin
• health, accident, and liability insurance

The Selection Process
The programme is aimed at highly qualified, open-minded, and politically interested young people from Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda who are willing to take on an active and responsible role in shaping the democratic future of their countries.
Applicants are invited to an interview at a German diplomatic mission abroad. An independent selection committee appointed by the German Bundestag selects the scholarship recipients based on professional, social, linguistic, and intercultural competencies.

Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
• be a citizen of a participating country (dual citizenship is permitted)
• be under 30 years of age at the start of the scholarship on 1 January 2027
• have completed a university degree
• have a good command of German (at least level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)
• demonstrate a strong interest in political issues as well as social/political engagement

How to Apply
Your application is complete only if it includes the following documents:
• Personal details, CV, educational background, and political and/or voluntary engagement as requested in the application form
• Passport photo (to be inserted on the first page of the application form)
• Proof of German language proficiency (certificate or completed language form available at: https://www.bundestag.de/resource/blob/189512/sprachkenntnisse.pdf
• Motivation letter in German, signed by hand
• Copy of passport or ID
• University degree certificate (original or officially certified copy in English or German)
• One recent letter of recommendation in German or English (from a university lecturer or employer assessing the applicant’s qualifications)

Please submit your application via the digital application platform: https://bewerbung.ipsdigital.bundestag.de/

Application Deadline
15 May 2026