German Bundestag IPS Africa Scholarship

The German Parliament invites politically and socially committed young graduates from Southern Africa, East Africa, and West Africa to Berlin for the IPS Africa scholarship programme. The German Bundestag offers the scholarship under the patronage of the President of the Bundestag for young graduates from sub-Saharan Africa who want to learn about the German parliamentary system and take an active and responsible role in shaping the democratic future of their countries.

IPS Africa targets citizens of participating countries: Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda. The programme described is a compact four-week programme with up to 24 fellows, with learning focused on the German parliamentary system and political decision-making processes in the German Bundestag.

IPS Africa includes a one-week placement in the office of a Member of the German Bundestag, shadowing an MP and their staff members. The programme also provides workshops, including topics such as anti-corruption and intercultural training, and a project management workshop to help participants develop project ideas to promote democracy and civil society in their home countries. Fellows are selected by an independent selection committee appointed by the German Bundestag based on professional, social, linguistic, and intercultural skills.

Participants receive a stipend of 700 Euros, and accommodation is provided free of charge. Travel costs to and from Berlin are covered, and the German Bundestag covers health, accident, and personal liability insurance.

• 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
• 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
• Applications must be submitted in German

• Stipend: 700 Euros
• Accommodation: provided free of charge
• Travel costs to and from Berlin: covered
• Health, accident, and personal liability insurance: covered by the German Bundestag

1. Submit the application exclusively through the digital application platform IPS digital.
2. Submit the application in German.
3. Include: a recent language certificate, a letter of motivation (in German, max. two pages, signed personally), a copy of passport or identity card as proof of citizenship, a university degree certificate (original or certified copy in English or German), and a letter of recommendation assessing suitability for the IPS programme.
4. Complete the application using the online form on the IPS digital platform.
5. Attend an interview at a German diplomatic mission if invited; an independent selection committee appointed by the German Bundestag selects fellows.

• 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)
• Letter of recommendation (in German or English) from a professor/teacher or employer, assessing suitability for the IPS programme