60 Crossculture Germany Fellowships 2027 for Applicants of 40 Countries Open
A professional fellowship in Germany could give you more than an international experience: it can connect your work with civil society organizations, practitioners and ideas from across borders. The CrossCulture Programme (CCP) Fellowship 2027, organised by Germany’s Institute for Foreign Cultural Relations (ifa), is open to eligible professionals and committed volunteers from participating countries. International fellows receive a monthly allowance of €650, plus accommodation, return airfare, health insurance and other support.
There is an important distinction before you start: CCP is a professional exchange fellowship, not a university scholarship. You need relevant work or volunteer experience, and people currently enrolled at a university cannot participate. This guide walks through the eligible countries, benefits, requirements, documents and application process—so you can decide whether this opportunity fits your next move.
A professional exchange—not a degree Scholarship
Open from 20 October to 8 December 2026.
Professionals and committed volunteers aged 23 or above; enrolled students are excluded.
Two to three months with a host organisation.
€650 monthly, accommodation, return airfare, local transport and health insurance.
Germany or CCP partner countries, depending on the placement.
8 December 2026 at 23:59 CET.
Plan your CCP Fellowship application
01
What is the CrossCulture Programme?
The CrossCulture Programme is a professional exchange initiative designed to strengthen cooperation between civil society organisations in Germany and partner countries. Each year, the programme supports around 50 to 60 professionals and volunteers from more than 40 countries. Fellows spend two to three months working with a host organization, broadening their expertise and building professional networks.
This is not a conventional study-abroad scholarship. It does not provide admission to a bachelor’s, master’s or PhD programme. Instead, it is intended for people who are already active in their professional field or in civil society work and want to exchange knowledge with an organization in another country.
The fellowship also includes professional meetings, networking activities and a three-to-four-day transcultural workshop. Fellows are expected to use what they learn in their work and home organizations after the exchange. The 2027 call is primarily for on-site fellowships; digital participation may be considered depending on individual circumstances and applicable travel regulations.
THE PROGRAMME IN PRACTICE
Learn with a host CCP Organization
A two-to-three-month professional exchange
For example, a journalist working on media freedom might exchange methods with a media organisation, while a community organizer could learn from a group focused on participation and inclusion. The value lies in practical collaboration—not simply visiting another country.
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02
Which countries can apply for CCP 2027?
The 2027 application portal provides country-specific calls. The participating countries listed for this round are:
A note for Pakistani applicants: Pakistan is included in the 2027 country calls. Applicants should open the Pakistan-specific call in the official portal and check its instructions before starting the form.
Country participation is agreed by ifa and the German Federal Foreign Office and can change between programme years. Eligibility can also depend on nationality and residence status. Do not rely on an old country list: use the live 2027 country-specific application portal to confirm the call relevant to you.
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03
Can you apply? Check the eligibility rules
CCP is looking for experienced civil society professionals and committed volunteers—not people seeking a first academic qualification abroad. Before preparing your documents, check each of the following requirements.
At least 23 years old at the time of application.
At least two years of proven professional experience or volunteer work in a civil society organization in your home country.
Good written and spoken English, as English is the main programme language.
You must be able to undertake a prolonged stay abroad and take part in programme activities.
You should also be a national of a participating country or hold the qualifying long-term residence status described in the official FAQ. Applicants who are currently living outside Germany or their country of origin should read the additional residence conditions carefully and contact ifa if their situation is unclear.
Important exclusions
Currently enrolled university students cannot participate, either when applying or during the fellowship year. People receiving another similar form of funding, such as another fellowship, in the same year are also ineligible. CCP does not offer postgraduate study scholarships.
Long-term social or community commitment, relevant professional achievements, an existing or planned collaboration with an organization in the host country, and additional language skills—particularly German—are desirable. They are not listed as compulsory requirements.
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04
Which professional fields does CCP support?
Fellowships are principally awarded to people working in four broad subject areas, with an additional thematic focus on democratic resilience in 2027. Your experience should connect clearly with one or more of these areas.
| Field | Examples of relevant work |
|---|---|
| Policy and society | Public policy, social participation, community work and civil society initiatives. |
| Media and culture | Journalism, independent media, arts, cultural work and creative expression. |
| Human rights and peace | Human rights protection, peacebuilding, conflict resolution and prevention of violence. |
| Sustainable development | Climate justice, environmental action and sustainable development initiatives. |
| 2027 special focus: democratic resilience | Countering disinformation, strengthening the rule of law, inclusion, political participation and creative work that advances democratic values. |
The democratic-resilience focus is particularly relevant to people in think tanks, community organizations, journalism, arts and theatre who are working to strengthen inclusive and democratic societies. It is a programme focus, not a separate scholarship category.
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05
What funding and benefits do international fellows receive?
For participants from outside Germany, ifa lists a €650 monthly stipend alongside several separately covered costs. This matters when you are budgeting: the allowance is not the only support provided to international fellows.
€650
For international participants.
Round-trip airfare to support travel to and from the fellowship.
Accommodation costs covered for international fellows.
A monthly public transportation ticket in the fellow’s city of residence.
Health insurance and reimbursement of visa fees incurred.
There are also professional benefits: collaboration with a host organisation from the CCP network, mentoring during the fellowship, professional development opportunities, a three-to-four-day transcultural workshop, networking with other fellows and inclusion in the CCP alumni network.
Budget carefully before accepting
The €650 monthly stipend applies to participants from abroad. The funding page lists a different arrangement for participants from Germany. The programme does not cover additional costs for accompanying family members, such as partners or children. Funding is subject to support from the German Federal Foreign Office.
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06
How to apply for the CrossCulture Programme 2027
Applications must be submitted online through the country-specific call on the official CCP application portal. The process is straightforward, but there is one detail worth knowing before you begin: the system does not let you save a draft. Prepare your documents first.
- Find your country-specific call. Visit the CCP application portal and select the 2027 call for your country. Read the instructions on that call before filling in the form.
- Prepare your English CV. Provide an up-to-date CV with details of your education and training, professional experience, volunteering and relevant skills. Make your actual responsibilities and experience easy to understand.
- Request a recommendation letter. Obtain a recommendation from your home organisation or employer in your country of origin, preferably from your supervisor. Use the official CCP recommendation-letter template linked from the application guidance.
- Complete the online form yourself. Enter your details and upload the required documents. A recent photograph is optional. The programme specifically asks applicants to complete the application in person without the use of AI; follow this instruction for your application responses.
- Review and submit before the cutoff. Check that all mandatory fields and documents are complete, then submit the application online before 8 December 2026 at 23:59 CET.
Do not start the form before your documents are ready
The portal does not allow you to save application drafts. Incomplete applications, applications sent by email and applications received after the deadline will not be considered. Submit through the online portal only.
Required documents: an up-to-date CV in English and a recommendation letter using the official template. A recent photo is optional. Check the country-specific call for any additional instructions.
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07
What happens after you submit?
Submitting the form does not mean you have been selected. Here is the sequence described in the official programme guidance.
After submitting, you should receive an email confirming that your application has been received.
After the deadline, shortlisted applicants are invited to an interview by the Selection Board.
Selected fellows are expected to be notified by email in March or April 2027. Applicants who are not selected will also be informed.
The 2027 programme is scheduled to run from May to November 2027. Individual fellowships last two to three months.
Selection is competitive. To make your application relevant, describe your actual professional or volunteer contribution, connect your experience to one of the programme fields and explain how an international exchange could strengthen your work. These are sensible preparation tips, not a published scoring formula. The official call asks applicants to complete their own application without AI, so write your application responses yourself.
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08
Questions applicants often ask
Is the CrossCulture Programme a fully funded university scholarship?
No. It is a professional fellowship and exchange programme. It does not fund a bachelor’s, master’s or PhD degree. International fellows receive a €650 monthly stipend and the listed travel, accommodation, transport and insurance support.
Can currently enrolled university students apply?
No. Enrolled students are not eligible either at the time of application or during the fellowship year. The programme is aimed at professionals and committed volunteers.
Can a recent graduate apply?
A recent degree alone is not enough. You must be at least 23 and have at least two years of proven professional experience or volunteer work in a civil society organization in your home country.
Is IELTS or TOEFL required?
The official application guidance requires good written and spoken English but does not list IELTS or TOEFL as a required document. You should be able to communicate effectively in English during the programme.
Do I need to speak German?
No. English is the main language of the programme. German is an additional qualification, not a compulsory requirement for applicants from abroad.
Can I apply if I work for a private organisation rather than an NGO?
Potentially, yes. The organization does not necessarily have to be an NGO, but you must be professionally or voluntarily associated with an organisation working in a relevant field of expertise.
Can applicants from Pakistan apply?
Yes. Pakistan appears in the 2027 country-specific calls. Pakistani applicants must also meet the age, experience, English-language, residence and other eligibility requirements.
Will every fellow spend the full period in Germany?
Not necessarily. Fellows work with host organizations in Germany or CCP partner countries. The fellowship lasts two to three months, and the exact placement and dates depend on the programme arrangements.
Can I apply again if I was unsuccessful in a previous year?
Yes. The official FAQ says that candidates whose previous applications were unsuccessful may apply again.
Can I use AI to write my application?
The 2027 application portal explicitly asks applicants to complete the form in person without the use of AI. Follow that instruction and write your application responses yourself.
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09
Submit your application before 8 December 2026
The application deadline for the CrossCulture Programme Fellowship 2027 is 8 December 2026 at 23:59 CET.
The application period runs from 20 October to 8 December 2026. Shortlisted candidates are expected to be interviewed after the deadline, with final notifications planned for March or April 2027. The programme will run from May to November 2027.
Ready to check your country call?
Use the official pages for the current requirements, application template and country-specific form. Read the instructions before starting your online application.
The CrossCulture Programme is best suited to people who already have a record of contributing to civil society and want to exchange practical knowledge with peers abroad. If that describes your work, use the remaining application period to confirm your eligibility, request your recommendation and prepare your CV. Start early: the online form cannot be saved as a draft.
