The German Parliament invites politically and socially committed young graduates from Southern Africa (Botswana, Namibia, South Africa), East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda), and West Africa (Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal) to Berlin in January for a scholarship programme.

The concept

Since 2020, the German Bundestag has offered a scholarship programme under the patronage of the President of the Bundestag for young graduates from sub-Saharan Africa who want to learn more about the German parliamentary system and who want to play an active and responsible role in shaping the democratic future of their countries.

In a compact four-week programme, up to 24 fellows from Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda learn first-hand about the German parliamentary system and the political decision-making processes in the German Bundestag.

The programme

The next programme will take place from 4 January until 2 February 2027.

The core of the programme is a one-week placement in the office of a Member of the German Bundestag, shadowing an MP and their staff members. The programme provides a compact introduction to parliamentary democracy and the functioning of the German Bundestag. Other topics include pluralist society, the protection of minorities and culture of remembrance as a political task. There will be a series of workshops on a variety of topics, including anti-corruption and intercultural training. A project management workshop will help participants develop their own project ideas to promote democracy and civil society in their home countries.

Eligibility criteria

• Citizenship of a participating country (Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda)
• Under the age of 30 at the start of the scholarship/January 1st
• University degree
• Good knowledge of German (at least level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)
• Interest in politics, social/political engagement

How to apply?

Unlike in previous years, applications will no longer be submitted via email; instead, they must be submitted exclusively through the digital application platform IPS digital. Please note that applications must be submitted in German.

Your application must include:

• Recent language certificate
• Letter of motivation (in German, max. two pages, signed by you personally)
• Copy of passport or identity card as proof of citizenship of a participant country
• University degree certificate (in original or certified copy in English or German)
• A letter of recommendation (in German or English) from a professor/teacher or employer, which assesses the applicant’s suitability for the IPS programme.

Application deadline

The time frame for applications will be 1 April until 15 May 2026. Please apply using the online form.

Please note that applications must be submitted in German.

The selection

Applicants will be invited to an interview at a German diplomatic mission, where an independent selection committee appointed by the German Bundestag will select the fellows on the basis of their professional, social, linguistic, and intercultural skills.

The scholarship

Participants will receive a stipend of 700 Euros. Accommodation will be provided free of charge. Travel costs to and from Berlin will also be covered. The German Bundestag will also cover the cost of health, accident and personal liability insurance.

Contact

For more information, please send an email to: ips‑[email protected]

Important

Namibian and South African citizens are eligible to apply for the global five-month IPS programme. For more information, please visit https://www.bundestag.de/ips_global. Please note that you can apply for both programmes at the same time, but you can only participate in one of them, and it is not possible to participate in the other programme at a later date.