CrossCulture Programme (CCP) Fellowship in Germany (fully funded)

Strengthening Civil Societies: CCP Fellowships

The CrossCulture Programme (CCP) funds 55 to 60 professionals and dedicated volunteers from over 40 countries with its CCP Fellowships. 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 intercultural skills. In return, the host organisations benefit from the expertise, regional knowledge and networks of the CCP Fellows.

Participants have the opportunity to take part in cross-cultural workshops, networking events and professional meetings organised by the CCP. The experience gained abroad will be integrated into the work of the Fellows’ home organisations upon their return.

The CCP Fellowships for 2025 will be offered as on-site Fellowships. Depending on individual circumstances and applicable travel regulations, Fellows may also opt for digital participation. The programme is subject to funding by the German Federal Foreign Office.

Countries currently participating in the programme are:

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.

Who is eligible to apply for the CCP?

What are the prerequisites?

• Minimum age is 23 years at the time of application
• Work experience: At least two years of proven professional experience or volunteer work in a civil society organisation in the home country
• Language skills: Good command of written and spoken English
• Health status: Ability to undertake a prolonged stay abroad (if you are uncertain whether your state of health allows you to participate, please contact [email protected])
• Exclusion criteria: students are not eligible to participate in the programme

What is desirable?

• Long-term social or community commitment
• Existing or planned collaboration with an organisation in the host country
• Additional language skills, particularly German

Fellowships are principally awarded to people working in the following subjects and professional fields:

• Politics and society (e.g. active as a critical thinking trainer, social worker, trainer working with marginalised groups, think tank employee, political activist, etc.)
• Media and culture (e.g. active as a film producer, journalist, actor, artist, theatre employee, TV or radio moderator, etc.)
• Human rights and peace (e.g. active as a human rights mediator or activist, conflict resolution and peacebuilding trainer, fighter against violent extremism and radicalisation, children’s rights advocate, etc.)
• Sustainable development and climate justice (e.g. active as a water quality project coordinator, quality manager for fair-trade products, ecotourism tour guide, architect for sustainable architecture, grassroots climate activist, scientist for sustainable future scenarios, protector of nature reservation sites, etc.)

In 2025, the programme will also focus on the following key issues:

• Culture of remembrance
• Gender and diversity

What does the funding Include?

The aim of the CCP Fellowship is to support and strengthen civil society actors in their commitment. This includes the following:

• Collaboration with a host organisation from the CCP network
• Mentoring for the duration of the Fellowship
• Professional development opportunities (online or on-site) in the Fellows’ field of work
• Networking with other CCP Fellowship holders
• Inclusion in the CCP alumni network
• For Fellowship holders focussing on one of the CCP’s 2025 key topics: participation in an additional event

Participants from abroad

ifa will cover the following costs for participants from abroad:

• a monthly stipend of 650 euros
• round-trip airfare
• accommodation
• monthly public transportation ticket within the fellow’s city of residence
• health insurance
• reimbursement of any visa fees incurred

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.

Participants from Germany

ifa will cover the following costs for participants from Germany:

• a monthly stipend of 1.200 euros
• round-trip airfare
• reimbursement of any visa fees incurred
• health insurance

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.

Application Guidelines

Application in 3 steps

1. Select the appropriate country call for applications on this application portal.
2. Complete the application: fill in the application form and upload all required documents. Please note that the system does not allow you to save drafts, so make sure that all your documents are ready for uploading before starting your application.
3. Submit your completed application online via the application portal.

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

Which application documents are required?

• 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

When to apply?

The application period for 2025 will be between 15 October and 5 December 2024.

What happens after having applied?

After submitting your application, you will receive an e-mail confirming receipt of your documents. After the deadline has expired, shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview by the Selection Board.

The finally selected Fellows are expected to be notified of their participation in the CCP Fellowship Programme by e-mail in March/April 2025. The programme will run from May to November 2025.

Applicants who have not been selected will also be informed by e-mail. Please note that ifa does not give any reason(s) why an application has been rejected.

Documents to download

• Template: recommendation letter

CCP Application tips

How can I apply for the CCP Fellowship?

Application in 3 steps:

1. Select the appropriate call: navigate to the ‘Call for Applications’ section on this website and select the relevant country-specific call to access the application portal. 
2. Complete the application: fill in the application form and upload all required documents. Please note that the system does not allow you to save drafts, so make sure that all your documents are ready for uploading before starting your application. 
3. Submit your application: submit your completed application online via the application portal. Incomplete applications, applications by e_–mail and applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered 

Required application documents:

• Up-to-date curriculum vitae in English: provide detailed information on your education, work experience, voluntary work and other relevant skills 
• Letter of recommendation: a recommendation from your home organisation or employer in your home country, preferably from a supervisor, using the template
• Optional: a recent photo

What happens after applying?

After submitting your application, you will receive an e-mail confirming receipt of your documents.  

After the deadline has expired, shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview by the Selection Board. 
The finally selected Fellows are expected to be notified of their participation in the CCP Fellowship Programme by e-mail in March/April 2025. The programme will run from May to November 2025. 
Applicants who have not been selected will also be informed by e-mail. Please note that ifa does not give any reason(s) why an application has been rejected. 

About Organisation

ifa – Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen promotes a peaceful and enriching coexistence between people and cultures worldwide. ifa supports artistic and cultural exchange in exhibition, dialogue and conference programmes, and it acts as a centre of excellence for international cultural relations. It is part of a global network and relies on sustainable, long-term partnerships. ifa is supported by the Federal Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany, the state of Baden-Württemberg and its capital Stuttgart.

Our Work

ifa initiates intercultural dialogue. A broad array of exhibitions, meetings, dialogues and conferences promotes exchange in arts and culture. Our conflict resolution programme helps build and maintain peaceful societies. Support projects for cultural minorities foster cultural diversity.

ifa is Germany’s international cultural and educational relations body, providing a link between practical issues arising in the field and the world of scholarship as well as the media. We initiate, analyse, moderate and document debates on international cultural relations.

ifa gives people worldwide the opportunity to find out more about Germany. Exchange programmes, exhibitions, books and magazines, lectures and visitors’ programmes offer innovative perspectives from contemporary Germany.