Open calls from other organizations
Would you like to get to know the German Parliament?
The International Parliamentary Scholarship (IPS) Programme for African Countries is aimed at highly qualified and politically interested young people from Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda who wish to make an active contribution to democracy and a vibrant civil society in their home countries.
During an intensive four-week programme, participants have the opportunity to gain first-hand experience of the German parliamentary system and political decision making processes. The programme includes a one-week work placement shadowing a Member of the German
Bundestag.
The programme starts at the beginning of January each year.
The scholarship
Participants will receive a stipend of 700 euros.
In addition, shared accommodation in an apartment complex will be provided free of charge, and travel costs to and from Berlin will be covered, as well as health, accident and personal liability insurance.
Participants of the 2026 IPS Africa cohort together with Vice-President of the German Bundestag, Andrea Lindholz.
Application requirements:
■ Citizenship of one of the participating countries (dual citizenship is possible)
■ Under the age of 30 years at the start of the scholarship (cut-off date January 1st)
■ University degree
■ Good knowledge of German (B2 or above)
■ An interest in politics
■ Social/political commitment
Further information on the current list of participating countries and the application process can be found here: www.bundestag.de/ips_afrikanisch
The deadline for application is 15 May 2026
An independent selection panel set up by the Bundestag will choose the successful candidates.
Contact
Please send any further questions via email to: ips-afrika@bundestag.de
Parliamentary Coordination
The IPS programme is coordinated at parliamentary level by the rapporteur group of the Commission on Internal Affairs, which was set up by the Council of Elders of the German Bundestag.
Based on the agreement with The World Academy of Sciences for the Advancement of Science in Developing Countries (TWAS), the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) draws the attention of researchers at German research institutions to the possibility of inviting researchers in early career phases and of all disciplines from sub-Saharan African countries to spend three months at their institution in Germany for the purpose of research and cooperation.
The requirements for proposal submission by the visiting researchers are as follows:
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At the time of proposal submission, applicants must hold a research position at an institution located in a sub-Saharan African country (i.e., any African country except Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia).
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They must have been engaged in a science system (including graduate and postgraduate training, research, teaching) for at least five years prior to this call in a sub-Saharan African country or one of the following countries: Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Syria, Tunisia and Yemen.
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They must not have obtained their doctorate before the year 2021. However, visiting female researchers with children may have obtained their doctorate earlier. An extension of two years per child is possible (not before 2015).
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They must not have an already established collaboration with the intended host.
The DFG funding instrument Initiation of International Collaboratio(interner Link) is available for an additional visit, if the aim of the visit is to develop further joint research projects
Proposals must be submitted to TWAS by visiting researchers no later than 15 April 2026. The proposal must also include an official invitation letter issued by the host that specifies the research topic of the cooperation (not a project proposal) and contains information on the infrastructure that will be made available to the visiting researcher.
