International Parliamentary Scholarship (IPS) for African Countries 2027

The German Bundestag offers a unique opportunity for committed and politically interested young graduates from Africa: the International Parliamentary Scholarship (IPS). We are pleased to bring this prestigious programme to your attention.

About the Scholarship

Since 2020, the German Bundestag has awarded the IPS for African countries. The programme is designed for talented young individuals with strong German language skills who are interested in parliamentary democracy and aspire to actively contribute to strengthening civil society and democratic structures in their home countries after completing the programme.

Eligible applicants come from the following regions:

Southern Africa: Botswana, Namibia, South Africa
East Africa: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda
West Africa: Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal

Programme Overview

The four-week compact programme will take place in Berlin from 4 January to 2 February 2027. Up to 24 scholarship holders will gain first-hand insights into the German parliamentary system and political decision-making processes.

Key components of the programme include:

A one-week placement in the office of a Member of the German Bundestag, shadowing the MP and their team
Insights into the structures and functions of parliamentary democracy in Germany
Workshops on topics such as pluralistic society, minority protection, and the culture of remembrance
Training sessions on anti-corruption and intercultural competence
A project management workshop to support participants in developing initiatives that promote democracy and civil society in their home countries

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

Citizenship of a participating country
Be under the age of 30 on 1 January 2027
Hold a university degree
Possess a good command of German (at least level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)
Demonstrate a strong interest in politics as well as social or political engagement

Application Documents

The following documents are required:

Personal data submitted via the online application portal

Passport photo
Copy of passport or national identity card
University degree certificate
Language certificate
Letter of motivation in German
A recent letter of recommendation

Applications must be submitted through the German diplomatic missions abroad.

Application Deadline

The application period begins on 1 April 2026 and closes on 15 May 2026.

Further Information

For more details about the programme and the application process, please visit the website of the German Bundestag.