International Parliamentary Scholarship (IPS)

The German Parliament (Bundestag) in cooperation with the Free University of Berlin, the Humboldt University of Berlin and the Technical University of Berlin awards around 120 scholarships for young graduate students from 28 nations every year. The program lasts every year from March 1 to July 31.

The program is sponsored by the President of the Bundestag.

The objectives of the program are:

• support relations between Germany and participating countries
• strengthen democratic values and tolerance
• deepen the understanding of cultural diversity
• ensure peaceful coexistence in the world

Participating countries

Currently, the participating countries include: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Estonia, France, Georgia, Israel, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia , Slovakia, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Ukraine, Hungary and USA.

Program flow

The IPS program lasts a total of 5 months (March 1 to July 31) and consists of events, seminars and practical work with a member of the German Bundestag.

At the beginning of the program, the participants will receive instructions about local academic life from the three Berlin universities, and an insight into the work of the Parliament from the Bundestag administration.

Work at the parliament

As part of the day-long activity, scholarship holders get to know the various tasks of a parliamentary office.

In doing so, great importance is attached to active participation: This includes professional elaborations, writing speeches, articles and letters, preparing sessions as well as performing secretarial duties. In addition, fellows accompany their MPs to the sessions of committees, factions and other bodies, and in the process gain insight into the internal functioning, relationships and workflows of the Parliament's work. One visit to the MP's constituency is also planned.

Lectures at universities and political foundations

In the summer semester, scholarship holders are enrolled as students at the Humboldt University in Berlin and, if they wish, they can also listen to lectures at one of the other universities. During the summer semester, they can listen to up to two lectures at the Humboldt University in Berlin and one lecture from another Berlin university. Additionally, they participate in a scientific supporting program of the Free University, the Humboldt University and the Technical University.

In addition, scholarship holders are introduced to study seminars of political foundations, the economic and cultural life of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Scholarship

The scholarship includes a monthly allowance of 450 euros, free accommodation as well as health insurance, accident insurance and a liability insurance policy. In addition, travel expenses to and from Berlin are also covered. The International Parliamentary Scholarship is funded by the German Bundestag.

The German-French Parliamentary Scholarship starts in mid-October and ends on July 31 each year. In the winter semester, the French scholars were enrolled as students at the Humboldt University in Berlin. Those interested can contact the Humboldt-University in Berlin directly with questions.

Parliamentary coordination

The international parliamentary scholarship is sponsored by the president of the German Bundestag, prof. Dr. Norbert Lammert. Parliamentary coordination of the IPS is carried out through the rapporteur of the group for the international exchange program in the committee of the Senior Council for Internal Affairs of the German Bundestag.

The application deadline is July 31, 2017, and application forms and other information can be found under:www.bundestag.de/ips

If you have additional questions, please contact the Embassy at:info@sarj.diplo.de

Information about the program and how to apply

• IPS-Flyer 2018 [pdf, 692.18k]
• More information and application form
• Information from the German Bundestag on IPS
• Report of scholarship holders Selma Tabak and Staša Nikodinović
• Report of scholar Selma Mezetović
• Report of scholar Azra Avdagić