2025 German Bundestag International Parliamentary Scholarships (IPS) Now Open for Applications

The 2025 German Bundestag International Parliamentary Scholarships are currently open for applications. The German Bundestag invites politically and socially committed young university graduates from southern Africa including Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, East Africa comprising Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, West Africa which includes Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal. This unique scholarship program will take place in Berlin and will start on January. This scholarship has been offered by the German Bundestag since 2020 for brilliant and politically interested young university graduates from sub-Saharan Africa. This program seeks to give the fellows an insight into the German parliamentary system and induce their responsibility for the fundamental democratic values in their home countries. With this four-week intensive program, this program offers up to 24 scholarships for the candidates to learn about the German parliamentary and Bundestag’s political decision-making processes.

Program Period

The program is scheduled to be implemented from January 1st to 31st, 2025.

The internship in German Bundestag member’s office is the central point of the program and lasts for one week. The participants will not only learn about parliamentary democracy and familiarize themselves with the Bundestag’s operations but also gain training on such issues as pluralism, minority protection, and cultural rights preservation. Certain workshops will be held for the participants, including some on corruption and intercultural training. Finally, a workshop on project management will be given to help the fellows develop their own projects to promote democracy and civil society in their country of origin.

Scholarship

The program participants will acquire a 700-euro scholarship and accommodation in a student residential complex free of charge. Fully paid travel to and from Berlin, as well as health, accident, and liability insurance, will be provided.

Selection Criteria for Scholarship

The scholarship is intended to appeal to well-trained, internationally minded individuals passionate in politics from Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda. Applicants must show a clear interest in striving to actively support the democratic establishment of their national countries. Selection interviews will be held abroad at German headquarters in the presence of a couple of judges selected by the German Bundestag; the decision patrons on technical, social, linguistic, and intercultural competencies.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must:

• Hold citizenship of a participating country (dual citizenship is acceptable).
• Be under 30 years old at the start of the scholarship on January 1st.
• Have completed university studies.
• Possess good proficiency in the German language (at least level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).
• Exhibit a strong interest in political contexts and demonstrate social/political commitment.

Application Process

To complete the application process, candidates must submit the following documents:

• Completed application form (in German)
• Passport photo
• Proof of German language proficiency
• Motivational letter in German
• Copy of passport or ID
• University degree certificate
• Letter of recommendation The application documents should be sent as a single PDF file via email [email protected] to the German Embassy Dar es Salaam by the specified deadline.

Application Deadline

• For applicants from Eastern Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda): May 31, 2024.

For additional details and to access the application forms, please visit the official webpage of the German Bundestag International Parliamentary Scholarships.