International Parliamentary Scholarship
Every year, within the framework of the International Parliamentary Scholarship (IPS) programme, the German Bundestag provides an opportunity for around 120 politically and socially engaged young university graduates from up to 50 countries around the world to gain an in-depth insight into Germany’s parliamentary system.
The programme’s patron is the President of the German Bundestag, Julia Klöckner. It is carried out in cooperation with the universities Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Technische Universität Berlin, and runs for five months.
The idea and IPS participating countries
The German Bundestag has been running the International Parliamentary Scholarship programme since 1986. What initially emerged from the German-American parliamentary friendship has now developed into a unique scholarship programme for talented young people who are open to the world and have an interest in politics, and who wish to take on an active and responsible role in shaping the democratic future of their own country. In this way, the IPS also makes a key contribution to promoting intercultural exchange and international understanding.
The following countries currently take part in the IPS: Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Columbia, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Egypt, Estonia, France* (see below), Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Lithuania, Malaysia, Morocco, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Namibia, New Zealand, North Macedonia, the Palestinian Territories, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Syria, Turkey, Tunisia, Ukraine, USA and Uzbekistan.
The programme
IPS reception (© DBT/Marc Beckmann)
The global IPS programme takes place from early March until the end of July.
During the five-month programme, participants have an opportunity to really get to know how the German Bundestag operates. During an introductory phase at the beginning of the scholarship, the topics of "Parliamentary democracy in Germany", "The pluralist society and protection of minorities", "The media landscape in Germany" and "The culture of remembrance" as a political mandate are conveyed. A more in-depth look at the model of an active civil society is provided by events held by the political foundations and supported by workshops.
The core element of the scholarship is a three-month placement in the office of a Member. The placement consists of a full-time position in a Member’s office, giving participants the opportunity to get to know the various tasks carried out there. They are expected to play an active role, including drafting speeches, articles and letters, preparing meetings and carrying out secretarial tasks. In addition, the participants accompany their Members to meetings of the committees, parliamentary groups and other bodies and gain an insight into Parliament’s functioning, systems and procedures. The placement also includes a visit to the Member’s constituency.
The IPS programme lasts a total of five months. (© DBT/el Soussi)
The participants are enrolled at the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin during the programme for the summer semester. During the placement period they are able to take up to two courses at the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin or one of the city’s other universities.
The scholarship
Participants will receive a monthly allowance of 700 euros. The scholarship also includes free accommodation, the costs for travel to and from Berlin, as well as health, accident and liability insurance.
Parliamentary Coordination
Parliamentary coordination of the programme is the responsibility of the Rapporteur Group on International Exchange Programmes of the Commission on Internal Affairs set up by the Bundestag’s Council of Elders.
Application process
Criteria for applicants
- Citizenship of a participating country
- Under the age of 30 at the start of the scholarship
- University degree (Bachelor’s or higher) in any subject (evidence of completion of studies can be submitted at a later date in justified cases)
- A strong interest in politics and societal issues
- Social and/or political engagement
- Very good knowledge of the German language (at least Level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)
Further information on the application process and deadlines can be found here. Please be aware that this information is only available in German.
Contact
For further information, please send an email to: ips@bundestag.de.
Please note
*Exception: Franco-German Parliamentary Scholarship
The Franco-German Parliamentary Scholarship begins on 1 October and finishes on 31 July each year. Participants are integrated into the IPS from March to July. French scholarship participants are enrolled as students at the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin for the winter semester. Interested individuals from France should direct their questions to:
Département des affaires européennes bilatérales
MEN - MESR / SG
Direction des relations européennes et internationales et de la coopération,
110, rue de Grenelle
75357 Paris SP 07
Interested individuals from Germany should contact the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin at ips@hu-berlin.de.