The ifa CrossCulture Programme (CCP) Fellowship gives working civil society professionals a two to three month placement with a host organisation in Germany or another CCP partner country. Around 50 to 60 fellows are selected each year from more than 40 countries, and the programme is run by ifa, the Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen. Applications close on 8 December at 23:59 CET.
This is not a study programme. It is for people already doing real work at home — in an organisation, community group, newsroom, or rights initiative — who want to learn from a host abroad and bring that experience home.
Who should apply — and who should not
You must be at least 23 when you apply, with at least two years of proven professional experience or volunteer work in a civil society organisation in your home country. You also need a solid command of written and spoken English, and you must be able to undertake a prolonged stay abroad. Students are explicitly not eligible, so current degree enrolment rules you out, even with volunteering on the side.
Proven work means work you can evidence, such as an organisational role or a project you contributed to. Preferred qualities include a long-term community commitment, a planned collaboration with a host-country organisation, and extra language skills, particularly German.
Fields you can apply in, and the theme to build around
Fellowships are awarded in policy and society, media and culture, human rights and peace, and sustainable development and climate justice. The key theme for this round is democratic resilience: work that helps societies protect open debate, accountable institutions, and public participation. Fellows working on this theme also take part in an additional event.
At a glance
| Detail | What the official page states |
|---|---|
| Organiser | ifa – Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen |
| Placement | 2–3 months in Germany or a CCP partner country |
| Fellows per year | 50–60, from 40+ countries |
| Minimum age | 23 at application |
| Experience | At least 2 years in a civil society organisation at home |
| Students eligible? | No – explicitly excluded |
| Stipend (international) | €650/month, plus travel, housing, transport, insurance, visa fees |
| Deadline | 8 December, 23:59 CET |
What the funding covers in real terms
International fellows receive €650 per month, and ifa also covers travel, accommodation, a monthly transport pass, health insurance and visa fees. The big costs of the stay are therefore handled by the programme. The stipend is a living allowance for the placement period, not a salary.
Fellows from Germany receive €1,200 per month, with travel, visa fees and health insurance reimbursed. The programme does not provide for family members to accompany a fellow, so plan honestly for a two to three month absence before you apply. Beyond money, it includes mentoring, a three to four day transcultural workshop, professional development, networking with other fellows, and the CCP alumni network.
A quick self-check before you start
Answer these honestly before spending hours on the form. A clear “no” to any of the first four means this round is probably not the right fit.
- Are you at least 23 years old when you apply?
- Can you show two years of work in a civil society organisation at home?
- Are you currently a student? If yes, you are not eligible.
- Can you write and speak English well enough to work abroad?
- Does your work fit one of the fields, or the democratic resilience theme?
- Can you be away for two to three months with your home organisation’s support?
- Is your country eligible? Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Morocco, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam are included — check your country’s entry first.
How to make your application stand out
Start with your home organisation, not with Germany. Explain what it does, your role in it, and the problem your work addresses, in plain language outsiders can follow. Then show what you would bring to a host, and highlight any planned collaboration with a host-country organisation.
Then explain, in one or two realistic steps, what you will do with the experience after you return. A modest, specific plan beats a grand promise. Finally, respect one unusual instruction on the official page: applicants are asked to fill out the application in person, without the use of AI, so write in your own words, even if your English feels imperfect.
How to apply
Applications are made country by country through the official call page, which lists a separate entry for each eligible country. Start with your country’s entry, not a general application link. Follow these steps:
- Open the official call page and find the entry for your country.
- Read the programme description and your country’s requirements before starting the form.
- Prepare a clear account of your experience, role, and field of work.
- Fill out the application yourself, in your own words, and check every answer.
- Submit before 8 December at 23:59 CET.
What happens after you apply
The official pages do not publish a selection timeline or announcement date. After submitting, keep your home work going and your contact details up to date, so you can respond quickly if the programme gets in touch. Readers comparing options may also look at the Fisher Family Summer Fellows programme on democracy and the Dalai Lama Fellows programme.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Can students apply for the CrossCulture Programme Fellowship?
A: No. The official page states that students are not eligible.
Q: How much is the monthly stipend for international fellows?
A: €650 per month, plus travel, accommodation, transport, health insurance and visa fees covered by ifa.
Q: How long does the placement last?
A: Two to three months with a host organisation in Germany or a partner country.
Q: Do I need to speak German?
A: No. The requirement is solid written and spoken English; German is a preferred extra skill only.
Q: When is the deadline?
A: 8 December at 23:59 CET.
Q: Can my family travel with me?
A: No. The programme does not provide for family members to accompany a fellow.
