FellowshipFully Funded 237 days left

KAS Germany International Parliamentary Scholarships (IPS) 2026 for West, East & Southern African Students

Last verified 18 May 2026 by the Scholarships for Africans editorial team

The German Bundestag invites young graduates from West, East, and Southern African countries for a four-week parliamentary scholarship program in Berlin, offering first-hand experience of the German parliamentary system.

Provider: German Bundestag
Host country: Germany
Deadline: Expected May 15, 2027 (annual cycle)

Official source Track this application

Eligibility & requirements at a glance

KAS Germany International Parliamentary Scholarships (IPS) 2026 for West, East & Southern African Students is open to African students applying to study in Germany at the Fellowship level, with fully funded funding. Below is a quick summary of who can apply, what's covered, and the key dates — full details are further down the page.

Who can apply: Fellowship · applicants for Germany
Funding: Fully Funded
Study level: Fellowship
Deadline: Expected May 15, 2027 (annual cycle)

Key eligibility criteria

Applicants must be citizens of Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, or Uganda. They must be under 30 years old at the start of the fellowship (January 2027), hold a university degree, and have good knowledge of German (minimum B2 level). They should also demonstrate political interest and social/political engagement.

What the fully funded award covers

Monthly stipend
Accommodation
Return airfare

About the KAS Germany International Parliamentary Scholarships (IPS) 2026 for West, East & Southern African Students (2026)

## KAS Germany International Parliamentary Scholarships (IPS) 2026 for West, East & Southern African Students ### Overview The KAS Germany International Parliamentary Scholarships (IPS) is a prestigious four-week fellowship program hosted by the German Bundestag in Berlin. This program annually invites young graduates from selected West, East, and Southern African countries to gain firsthand experience of the German parliamentary system. Participants will have the unique opportunity to shadow Members of Parliament, engage in various workshops focusing on democracy, civil society, and intercultural exchange, and immerse themselves in the German political landscape. The fellowship aims to foster a deeper understanding of democratic processes and parliamentary work while promoting international and intercultural dialogue. ### Benefits The KAS Germany IPS program is fully funded and offers comprehensive support to its fellows. The benefits include: * **Monthly Stipend:** Fellows receive a monthly stipend of €700 to cover personal expenses during their stay in Berlin. * **Accommodation:** Free accommodation is provided for the entire duration of the fellowship. * **Travel Costs:** All travel expenses to and from Berlin are covered by the program. * **Insurance:** Health, accident, and personal liability insurance are provided to ensure the well-being and safety of the fellows. * **Program Activities:** Participants will benefit from a placement in a Member of Parliament's office, providing practical insights into parliamentary work. Additionally, they will attend workshops focused on crucial topics such as democracy, anti-corruption strategies, and project management, enhancing their skills and knowledge in these areas. ### Eligibility To be considered for the KAS Germany International Parliamentary Scholarships, applicants must meet specific criteria: * **Citizenship:** Applicants must be citizens of one of the following countries: Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, or Uganda. * **Age:** Candidates must be under 30 years old at the commencement of the fellowship program (January 2027). * **Education:** A university degree is a mandatory requirement for all applicants. * **Language Proficiency:** Applicants must demonstrate good knowledge of German, with a minimum B2 level proficiency, evidenced by a certificate not older than two years. * **Political Interest and Engagement:** Prospective fellows should exhibit a strong interest in politics and demonstrate active social or political engagement. ### Required Documents Applicants are required to submit a comprehensive set of documents, all in German, to the German diplomatic mission in their home country. The application package should include: * **Application Form:** A fully completed application form. * **Passport Photo:** A passport-sized photo, to be inserted on the first page of the application form. * **German Language Proficiency Proof:** Certification of good German language skills (minimum B2 level), issued within the last two years. * **Letter of Motivation:** A compelling letter of motivation in German, with a handwritten signature, not exceeding two pages, outlining the applicant's interest in the program and their relevant experiences. * **Copy of Passport/ID:** A clear copy of the applicant's passport or national identification document. * **Degree Certificate:** The university degree certificate, either in original or as an officially certified copy, in English or German. The original or certified copy must be presented if selected for an interview. * **Letter of Recommendation:** A current letter of recommendation in German or English from a university lecturer or employer, assessing the applicant's professional qualifications for the program. ### How to Apply Applying for the KAS Germany International Parliamentary Scholarships involves several steps, primarily through the German diplomatic mission in the applicant's home country: 1. **Prepare Documents:** Gather all the required documents as listed above, ensuring they are in German and properly scanned. 2. **Complete Application Form:** Fill out the application form and attach your passport photo. 3. **Submit Application:** Send the complete application package to the German diplomatic mission in your country of citizenship by the application deadline. 4. **IPS Digital Platform:** While the initial submission goes to the diplomatic mission, applications are also submitted via the IPS Digital platform (in German), indicating that there might be a dual submission process or a stage where the diplomatic mission forwards applications to this platform after initial screening. ### Key Dates * **Application Deadline:** The deadline for submitting applications is **May 15, 2026**. Please note that the existing metadata indicates May 6, 2026, but the page content explicitly states May 15, 2026. Applicants should adhere to the later date as stated in the body content. * **Fellowship Period:** The fellowship itself will run for four weeks, from **January 4 to February 2, 2027**. * **Age Calculation:** Applicants must be under 30 years old at the start of the fellowship in January 2027. ### Selection Criteria The selection process for the KAS Germany International Parliamentary Scholarships is rigorous and multifactorial, aiming to identify highly motivated and qualified candidates. Key criteria include: * **Academic Background:** The applicant's university degree and overall academic achievements are assessed. * **Motivation:** The letter of motivation plays a crucial role in demonstrating the applicant's genuine interest in the program, their understanding of its objectives, and their aspirations. * **Language Proficiency:** A strong command of the German language (minimum B2 level) is essential for effective participation and integration. * **Engagement:** Evidence of political interest and social/political engagement within their home country or community is highly valued. This demonstrates a commitment to democratic values and civic participation. * **Interviews:** Shortlisted candidates will undergo interviews conducted at German diplomatic missions, allowing for a personal assessment of their suitability for the program. ### Tips To maximize your chances of success when applying for the KAS Germany International Parliamentary Scholarships, consider the following tips: * **Start Early:** Begin preparing your application well in advance of the deadline to ensure all documents are gathered, translated (if necessary, though most must be in German), and certified correctly. * **German Language:** Focus on improving your German language skills to at least a B2 level and obtain a recent certificate to prove your proficiency. * **Tailor Motivation Letter:** Craft a compelling letter of motivation that clearly articulates your political interests, your understanding of democratic processes, and how this fellowship aligns with your career goals and previous engagement. * **Highlight Engagement:** Provide concrete examples of your social and political involvement, demonstrating your commitment beyond academic pursuits. * **Professional Recommendation:** Choose a recommender who knows your abilities well and can speak to your academic qualifications and professional aptitude for such a program. * **Proofread Thoroughly:** Ensure all your documents are free of grammatical errors and typos, as attention to detail reflects professionalism. ### Official Source For the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding the KAS Germany International Parliamentary Scholarships, please refer to the official webpage: * **Award Webpage:** [https://www.bundestag.de/en/europe/international/exchange/ips/africa-651046](https://www.bundestag.de/en/europe/international/exchange/ips/africa-651046)

What the Fully Funded KAS Germany International Parliamentary Scholarships (IPS) 2026 for West, East & Southern African Students covers

The award components below were extracted from the sponsor's published description. Always cross-check the exact figures, ceiling amounts and conditions on the official site before you budget around them.

Monthly stipend
Accommodation
Return airfare

KAS Germany International Parliamentary Scholarships (IPS) 2026 for West, East & Southern African Students eligibility for Germany applicants

Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.

Applicants must be citizens of Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, or Uganda. They must be under 30 years old at the start of the fellowship (January 2027), hold a university degree, and have good knowledge of German (minimum B2 level). They should also demonstrate political interest and social/political engagement.

Documents required for the KAS Germany International Parliamentary Scholarships (IPS) 2026 for West, East & Southern African Students application

A planning baseline drawn from how 90%+ of African scholarship sponsors structure their checklist. The sponsor's portal is the source of truth for any single application.

Valid international passport (bio page scan)
Most recent academic transcripts (sealed or e-verified copies)
Curriculum vitae / résumé (1–2 pages, reverse-chronological)
Personal statement or motivation letter (500–1,000 words, tailored to the sponsor)
Two to three reference letters (academic for students, professional for working applicants)
Proof of English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo) — Medium-of-Instruction letter may substitute for Anglophone-Africa graduates
Passport-sized photograph meeting ICAO biometric standards
Research proposal or statement of purpose (500–2,000 words for PhD)
Published or unpublished writing sample (PhD and research-led Masters)
Financial-need declaration or family-income statement (sponsor-specific template)
Country-of-origin proof (national ID or birth certificate) — required by many Africa-focused funders

How to apply for the KAS Germany International Parliamentary Scholarships (IPS) 2026 for West, East & Southern African Students 2026

A practical, sponsor-agnostic sequence used by >95% of international scholarship applicants. Adapt to the sponsor's specific portal — the order rarely changes.

1
Confirm eligibility on the official site
Open https://www.kas.de/en/web/scholarship/ips and verify the sponsor's stated criteria match your profile — currently: "Applicants must be citizens of Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, or Uganda. They must be under 30 years old at the start of the fellowship (January 2027), hold a university degree…". Sponsor rules change between intakes, so always confirm against the live call.
2
Secure a study place or admission offer
Identify a supervisor whose research aligns with yours, exchange emails, and either obtain a conditional offer or confirmation that they will host your project. Many German Bundestag awards require this before the funding application opens.
3
Sit required tests and gather documents
Register for IELTS / TOEFL / Duolingo (or SAT / GRE where required), request official transcripts, brief two or three referees, and prepare passport and identity documents at high resolution.
4
Draft your essays and statements
Write a focused 1,000–2,000-word research proposal and a separate personal statement. Tailor every paragraph to the sponsor's stated priorities — generic recycled essays are the most common reason strong applicants are rejected.
5
Complete the online application
Create an account on https://www.kas.de/en/web/scholarship/ips, fill in every field, and upload the required documents in the formats specified (PDF, max file size, single-file vs multi-file). Aim to have the full draft complete by 16 Mar 2027. Save progress frequently — most portals time out after 30–60 minutes.
6
Submit by Expected May 15, 2027 (annual cycle) (aim 7 days early)
Sponsor portals routinely slow or fail in the final 24 hours before the 15 May 2027 deadline. Submit early, download the confirmation receipt, and screenshot the submission timestamp. Late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.
7
Prepare for shortlist interviews
If shortlisted, German Bundestag will contact you within 4–12 weeks. Re-read your essays, rehearse 3–5 likely questions out loud, and confirm your time zone for any video interview.

KAS Germany International Parliamentary Scholarships (IPS) 2026 for West, East & Southern African Students deadline & application timeline

Working backwards from the sponsor's stated deadline (Expected May 15, 2027 (annual cycle)). Dates assume a smooth, single-attempt timeline — start earlier where you can.

12 months out
20 May 2026
Register for tests (IELTS/TOEFL/SAT/GRE), shortlist 3–5 universities, identify referees.
6 months out
16 Nov 2026
Sit your tests, draft a personal statement, request transcripts and confirm reference letters.
3 months out
14 Feb 2027
Finalise essays, upload supporting documents, complete the online application portal.
1 month out
15 Apr 2027
Final review, double-check uploaded files, submit a week before the deadline to avoid portal issues.
Application deadline
15 May 2027
Submit by 23:59 in the sponsor's stated time zone — usually local to the sponsor, not your country.

Ready to apply?

Cross-check the latest eligibility rules and deadline on the sponsor's official portal before you start your application.

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Editorial verification note

AI returned past date "15 May 2026". The deadline is explicitly stated as May 15, 2026, which is in the future relative to the current date.

Last checked 5/18/2026

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for the KAS Germany International Parliamentary Scholarships (IPS) 2026 for West, East & Southern African Students?+

Applicants must be eligible African nationals applying at the Fellowship level, meet the academic and English-language requirements set by German Bundestag, and be able to relocate to Germany for the duration of the programme.

Is the KAS Germany International Parliamentary Scholarships (IPS) 2026 for West, East & Southern African Students fully funded?+

Funding model: Fully Funded. Where listed as fully funded, the award typically covers tuition, monthly stipend, health insurance and round-trip airfare. Always confirm the latest funding breakdown on the sponsor's official page.

When is the application deadline?+

The application deadline is Expected May 15, 2027 (annual cycle). Submit at least one week early — sponsor portals frequently slow or fail in the final 24 hours, and late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.

What documents do I need to apply?+

At minimum: passport bio page, academic transcripts, CV, personal statement, two to three references, and an English-language test score (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo). Research-led Masters and PhD applications also require a research proposal and a writing sample.

How can I improve my chance of winning?+

Apply early, tailor every essay to the specific sponsor (do not recycle a generic statement), secure at least one reference who knows your work in detail, and apply to two or three additional scholarships in parallel — never rely on a single application.

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