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 a scholarship program in Berlin in January.
Since 2020, the German Bundestag, under the patronage of the President of the Bundestag, has been offering a scholarship program for talented, cosmopolitan and politically interested young people from sub-Saharan Africa who are interested in the German parliamentary system and want to play an active and responsible role in shaping the democratic future of their countries.
In a four-week compact program, up to 24 scholarship holders from Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda will get to know German parliamentary democracy and the political decision-making processes in the German Bundestag up close.
The program
In 2026, the program will take place in Berlin from January 5 to February 3, 2026.
The core of the program is a one-week internship in the office of a member of the German Bundestag. A compact preparatory course provides participants with knowledge of parliamentary democracy and the workings and functions of parliament. Furthermore, the topics of pluralistic society, minority protection, and the culture of remembrance are addressed as a political mandate. There are a series of workshops on various topics, such as anti-corruption and intercultural training. A project management workshop is designed to help participants develop their own project ideas to promote democracy and civil society in their respective countries of origin.
The application requirements
Nationality of one of the participating countries: Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda
younger than 30 years at the start of the scholarship or on 1 January
completed university studies
Good knowledge of the German language (at least level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)
strong interest in political issues and social/political engagement
Benefits
Participants will receive a scholarship of €700 . The scholarship also includes free accommodation in a residential complex, travel expenses to and from Berlin, and health, accident, and liability insurance.
How to Apply:
Please send your application as a single PDF file (labeled: Last Name – First Name) by email to the German embassy in your home country. You can find the email address on the right under “Contact German Embassies .” The PDF file must not exceed 10 MB in size. If the PDF file exceeds 10 MB, please split your application documents into multiple emails. Please do not send ZIP files.
Your application is only complete if you include the following documents:
Application form (to be completed and signed in German);
Proof of good knowledge of German , not older than 2 years;
Motivational letter in German, personally signed (max. 2 pages);
Copy of passport or copy of ID as proof of citizenship of one of the participating countries;
University degree certificate (original or certified copy in English or German);
Letter of recommendation (in German or English) from a teacher/professor or employer assessing the applicant’s professional qualifications for the IPS program.
