StudyDesk Scholarships
About the programme
The CrossCulture Programme (CCP), run by ifa (Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen) and funded by the German Federal Foreign Office, funds 50–60 professionals and volunteers from over 40 countries each year. Fellows spend two to three months working with host organisations in Germany or in CCP partner countries, joining cross-cultural workshops, networking events and professional meetings — then take the experience back into their home organisations. The 2027 fellowships run in the May–November 2027 period as on-site fellowships (digital participation is possible in individual cases, subject to funding). Applications for 2027 are currently accepted on the official CCP portal, and India is on the official list of eligible countries.
Eligibility
- Nationality/residence: applications are currently accepted from the listed countries, which include India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and others (full list on the official programme page).
- Age 23 or older at the time of application.
- At least two years of proven professional experience or volunteer work in a civil society organisation in your home country.
- Solid command of written and spoken English (German is an advantage, not a requirement).
- Able to undertake a prolonged stay abroad (health-wise).
- Registered students are not eligible.
Benefits
- A monthly stipend of €650.
- Round-trip airfare and accommodation.
- Health insurance, a monthly public-transportation ticket for your city of residence, and reimbursement of visa fees.
- Professional mentorship, workshops and international networking through the CCP, plus access to the CCP alumni community.
Documents required
Per the published 2027 application guidance (prepare these before the portal closes):
- Completed online application form on the official CCP portal.
- CV in English.
- Motivation letter using the official CCP template.
- Recommendation letter in the prescribed format.
- Proof of relevant professional/volunteer experience and any additional documents the programme requests.
How to apply
- Check the official programme page (applications-ccp.ifa.de) to confirm your country’s eligibility and the current call details.
- Prepare your documents — write the motivation letter and get the recommendation letter in the official templates, and prepare your CV in English.
- Complete the online application form on the official portal and upload all documents.
- Submit before 8 December 2026 (the deadline announced across the 2027 call coverage; confirm the exact cut-off time on the official portal).
FAQs
The CrossCulture Programme (run by ifa, funded by the German Federal Foreign Office) funds 50–60 professionals and volunteers from 40+ countries for 2–3-month placements with host organisations in Germany or CCP partner countries, during May–November 2027.
8 December 2026, per the 2027 call announcements. Applications are currently accepted on the official CCP portal — confirm the exact cut-off time there before submitting.
A €650 monthly stipend, round-trip airfare, accommodation, health insurance, a monthly local public-transport ticket, and reimbursement of visa fees.
People aged 23+ from the listed countries (including India) with at least two years of proven professional or volunteer experience in a civil society organisation in their home country, a solid command of English, and the ability to stay abroad. Registered students cannot apply.
Through the official CCP online application portal: complete the form, upload your English CV, and submit the motivation letter and recommendation letter in the programme’s official templates before the deadline.
Verified 20 Oct 2026 against the official ifa CrossCulture Programme page (applications-ccp.ifa.de — 50–60 professionals/volunteers from 40+ countries; 2–3 months with host organisations in Germany or partner countries; on-site 2027 fellowships; India on the eligible-country list; 23+; ≥2 years civil-society experience; solid English; health requirement) and 6 independent call announcements, mutually consistent (fellowship period May–November 2027; €650/month stipend + airfare + accommodation + insurance + local transport + visa reimbursement; deadline 8 December 2026; fields: policy & society, media & culture, human rights & peace, sustainable development & climate justice; motivation/recommendation templates). The 2026 cycle was re-scoped to the open 2027 call.
