Deutscher Bundestag - German Parlament Scholarship

International Parliamentary Scholarship (IPS) of the German Bundestag

You will receive 700 EUR per month for 5 months (from early March to the end of July) for a placement at the German Bundestag in Berlin. In addition to the stipend, you will be provided with free accommodation in a residential complex in Berlin, have your travel expenses to and from Germany covered, and be provided with health, accident and third-party liability insurance. During the programme, you will be enrolled at Humboldt University of Berlin and may attend up to two courses. The centrepiece of the scholarship is a three-month full-time placement in the office of a Member of Parliament. There, you will draft speeches, articles and letters, prepare for meetings and take part in committee and parliamentary group meetings. The German Bundestag has been running this programme since 1986 and offers up to 120 places each year.

Who can apply

• Nationality: You are a national of one of the approximately 50 participating countries, which are spread across the Americas, Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, East and South-East Asia, sub-Saharan Africa and Oceania.
• Age: At the start of the scholarship, you will be in 30.
• Degree: You have obtained a university degree (at least a Bachelor’s degree). Your field of study is irrelevant.
• German: You have a very good command of German, at least at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
• Interest and engagement: You are actively involved in politics or community life, for example through a political party, a voluntary organisation or voluntary work.

How to apply

You should email a PDF file containing your application documents to the German Embassy in your home country. The deadline varies depending on your country. For most countries, it is 31 July, but for some it is as early as 15 May, from 29 to 31 May, on 16 August or on 30 August. The embassy carries out an initial selection. The most promising candidates are then invited to an interview between July and December, and a Bundestag committee makes the final decision.

How realistic are your chances?

With up to 120 places per year across 50 countries, there are only a few places available for each nationality, and a very good command of German (B2 or higher) already significantly narrows down the pool of applicants. If you clearly meet the requirements regarding age, qualifications and language skills, and can demonstrate genuine political or social commitment, you have a real chance. Apply early and make a convincing, well-reasoned personal statement the focus of your application.