Deadline: May 15, 2026
Applications are invited for the German Parliament Scholarship Programme 2026 for Young Africans. 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.
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.
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.
Eligibility
- 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
- Have a 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
Application
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.
For more information, visit German Parliament Scholarship.
