InWEnt - Internationale Weiterbildung und Entwicklung gGmbH - ASA-Programm - Basisprogramm (3 Monate)

What the ASA scholarship gives you

You will receive about 400 to 900 EUR per month for a three-month project abroad. You will also receive a travel allowance of 300 EUR for travel within Europe, or 800 EUR for Africa, Asia and Latin America. The exact monthly amount depends on the country in question. Projects in major cities are better remunerated, whilst those in rural areas are less so. The grant covers your living costs, accommodation, and health, third-party liability and accident insurance. You will also take part in preparatory seminars, an optional follow-up seminar and a network of former participants. You will work on a real development project – for example, in the fields of environmental protection, education, IT or renewable energy – in one of around 45 partner countries. The programme is run by Engagement Global on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

Who can apply

• Age: On 20 January, the application deadline, you will be between 21 and 30 years old.
• Study or training status: You are currently studying for a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, obtained your Bachelor’s degree no more than 18 months ago, or are currently undertaking vocational training or have already completed it. If you already hold a Master’s degree or a state-recognised qualification, you are generally not eligible to apply.
• Where you live: Your main place of residence is in Germany, or you are a German national.
• Language: You speak German or English at level B2 and can provide a certificate to prove this. Additional language skills are required for some projects.
• Field of study: Any field of study and any type of training is suitable. You simply need skills that are relevant to the project you’ve chosen; you don’t need to be an expert.
• Nationality and background: Applicants of all nationalities and backgrounds are welcome to apply.
• Experience: You do not need to have previous experience abroad. You may only take part once.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted online via the ASA platform between 1 December and 20 January. In the Project Finder, you can choose from over 100 projects. A selection panel will review and assess the written applications in February, and you will receive a response by the beginning of March.

How realistic are your chances?

Around 280 places are awarded each year, and as the programme is very well known, it attracts committed applicants. Selection is based more on your written application – in particular a project-specific letter of motivation – than on your grades alone. If you clearly meet the project’s requirements in terms of subject area and language and demonstrate a genuine interest in development work, your chances are good.