CrossCulture Programme Fellowships 2026 in Germany (Fully Funded)

An exciting opportunity for around 60 professionals and volunteers from over 40 countries to join the CrossCulture Programme Fellowship 2026 in Germany for a period of 2-3 months. Fellows spend two to three months working with host organisations in Germany or CCP partner countries to broaden their expertise, build valuable networks, and further develop their transcultural skills. All costs related to the participation, accommodation, monthly stipend, travel and visa fees, and health insurance will be covered by the Institute for Foreign Relations (Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen - ifa).

About the CCP Fellowship

The CrossCulture Programme (CCP) offers fellowships to 55 to 60 professionals and dedicated volunteers from over 40 countries. These fellows spend two to three months working with host organizations in Germany or in CCP partner countries. Through this experience, they enhance their skills, expand their networks, and develop intercultural competence. In turn, the host organizations benefit from the fellows' expertise, regional insights, and professional connections.

Fellows can also participate in cross-cultural workshops, networking events, and professional meetings organized by the CCP. Upon returning, they integrate the knowledge and skills gained into their work at home.

For 2026, the CCP Fellowships will be offered in person, though digital participation is available depending on individual circumstances and travel regulations. The program is funded by the German Federal Foreign Office.

CCP Fellowships are principally awarded to people working in one of the following fields:

- Policy and society

- Media and culture

- Human rights and peace

- Sustainable development and climate justice.

In 2026, the programme will also focus on the following key issues:

- Culture of remembrance.

- Democratic Resilience. 

Eligibility & Criteria

- Applicants must be at least 23 years old at the time of the application.

- You must be a citizen of one of these countries (Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bhutan, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Egypt, Georgia, Germany, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Mauritania, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Nepal, Pakistan, Palestinian Territories, Philippines, Republic of Moldova, Russia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tunisia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam). 

- Applicants must have at least two years of proven professional experience or volunteer work in a Civil society organisation in the home country.

- Having a solid command of written and spoken English ( as English is the main language of the programme). 

- Ability to undertake a prolonged stay abroad. 

- The applicant possesses further language skills, particularly German (desirable but not mandatory).

Note: Students are not eligible to participate in the programme. A scholarship cannot be awarded if the intended recipient already receives another scholarship at the same time. 

Important Note: The programme does not provide for the accompaniment of family members such as spouses/partners or children. ifa will not assume any additional costs or responsibilities for other individuals. The amount of the scholarship is subject to funding by the German Federal Foreign Office.

Expenses and Benefits

CCP Fellowships promote civil society actors, strengthening them in their work. This includes the following support and offers:

- Collaboration with a guest organisation from the CCP network, either on-site or online 

- Mentoring for the duration of the fellowship

- Networking with other CCP Fellowship holders

- Inclusion in the CCP alumni network

- Online and on-site professional training in the fellow’s field of work

For participants from outside Germany (abroad), ifa will cover the following costs:

- A monthly grant of 650 euros, the costs of round-trip airfare, accommodation, monthly public transportation ticket within the fellow's city of residence, health insurance, and reimbursements of any visa fees.

For participants from Germany, ifa will cover the following costs:

- A monthly grant of 1200 euros, reimbursements of round-trip airfare, and health insurance.

Required documents

- Curriculum vitae in English with details about education/training, work experience, volunteering, and other skills.

- Letter of recommendation from a supervisor in the applicant’s home organisation/workplace in the applicant’s country of origin, using this template

- Photo is optional.

Timeline

Application deadline: 10 December 2025

Selection result: Selected applicants will be informed accordingly by e-mail, presumably in March/ April 2026

Program period: Programme participation will subsequently take place in the period May-November 2026.

How to apply

Step 1: Select the appropriate country call for applications on this application portal.

Step 2: Complete the application form and upload all the required documents. Since the application system cannot save any drafts, all documents should be ready for upload at the start of the application.

Step 3: Submit the completed application online via the application portal.

Note: Incomplete applications, applications sent by e-mail, and applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

More Details

For more details about the opportunity, you can check the ifa website from HERE

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Opportunity Website⇗

By applying for this fellowship program, you take responsibility and risks. Inform yourself about the regulation and potential risks. "Opportunity 4U" cannot be held liable for any of the potential risks, and this post is only for informative and popularising purposes.