Parliament of Berlin - Student Foundation Scholarship

International Parliamentary Scholarship (IPS) of the German Bundestag

You will receive 700 EUR per month for five months, as well as free accommodation in Berlin, health, accident and third-party liability insurance, and reimbursement of your travel expenses to and from Berlin. The programme runs from the start of March to the end of July. It is organised every year by the German Bundestag, the German parliament. The programme centres on 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. Prior to this, you will undertake an induction phase covering the topics of German parliamentary democracy, the protection of minorities, the media and the culture of remembrance. During the five months, you will be enrolled at Humboldt University of Berlin and may take up to two courses.

Who can apply

• Nationality: You must be a national of one of the approximately 50 participating countries, which are spread across Europe, North and South America, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Dual nationality is permitted.
• Degree: You have obtained a university degree at Bachelor’s level or above in any subject area.
• Age: At the start of the scholarship, you will be at 30.
• German: You speak German very well, at least at Level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
• Engagement: You are actively involved in politics or community life, for example in a political party, a voluntary organisation or through voluntary work.

How to apply

You should send your application as a PDF file by email to the German Embassy in your home country. Deadlines vary depending on the country and range from mid-May to the end of August. The embassy carries out a preliminary selection, and the most promising candidates are invited to an interview between July and December. A committee of the Bundestag then makes the final decision.

How realistic are your chances?

Each year, up to 120 scholarships are awarded, but these are spread across 50 countries. The number of places per country is therefore small, and competition within each country is fierce. The German B2 requirement and the need for genuine political or social engagement significantly restrict the pool of applicants. If you clearly meet these requirements, can provide evidence of concrete engagement and apply before your country’s application deadline, your chances are good.