German Chancellor Scholarships - Fellowships

The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation runs the German Chancellor Fellowship (Fellowship for prospective leaders) under the patronage of the Federal Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany. The programme is described as bringing future decision-makers to Germany for one year to implement a project idea developed independently.

The fellowship is for applicants holding Brazilian, People’s Republic of China, Indian, South African or American citizenship. Applicants are invited to work in a field such as politics, business, media, administration, society or culture, and to conduct an independently developed project with a host of their choice in Germany. The programme describes support with networking with international future leaders.

Selection is based on being formally eligible, with the most promising candidates invited to an online interview with the selection committee from their respective country, where they can present themselves and their project. The page also states that members of the selection committees exist and that not all eligible applicants receive a fellowship.

The fellowship is described as taking place in Germany for one year, with extensive alumni sponsorship following successful completion. The page lists fellowship support components, including an intensive language course before the fellowship and additional German courses during the fellowship period, plus individual support during the stay in Germany. It also describes continued alumni sponsorship during entire professional careers for alumnae/alumni.

• Citizenship: Brazilian, People’s Republic of China, Indian, South African, or American
• Field of work: politics, business, media, administration, society, or culture
• Initial leadership experience: demonstrable initial leadership experience
• Education level: completed first academic degree (Bachelor or comparable degree)
• Time since first academic degree: completed no more than twelve years ago (calculated using a key date described on the page)
• Project requirement: will conduct an independently developed project with a host of your choice in Germany
• Language: good knowledge of English and/or German
• Application window: applications are accepted from the start date in March to 15 October of each year

• Monthly fellowship grant of 2,200 euros, 2,500 euros, or 2,700 euros (depending on training and career level)
• An intensive language course before the fellowship begins
• Funding for German courses during the fellowship
• Individual support during the stay in Germany
• Additional financial support, e.g. for mobility, for accompanying family members, for travel expenses, for full private health insurance, or for additional German language courses
• Joint events for professional and personal intercultural exchange with other fellows from the year group
• Networking activities to collaborate in peer groups and independently organise smaller network formats with other fellows
• A two-week study tour through Germany
• Extensive alumni sponsorship, in particular to support long-term connections with cooperation partners in Germany over the duration of entire professional careers
• Host support: the host has a monthly subsidy of €500 at their disposal for costs arising while conducting the project

1. Submit an application during the annual application period described on the page.
2. Meet the listed criteria and requirements to be considered formally eligible.
3. Among formally eligible applicants, the most promising candidates will be selected and invited to an online interview with the selection committee from their respective country.
4. Present yourself and your project during the online interview.