Introduction
The CrossCulture Program in Germany 2027, also known as CCP Fellowships, supports international exchange among professionals and volunteers involved in civil society. Funded by the German Federal Foreign Office and implemented by the Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen (IFA), the program combines professional placements with intercultural learning. This fully funded opportunity focuses on strengthening civil society through collaboration, practical experience, and connections across countries.
Each year, CCP supports approximately 50 to 60 professionals and committed volunteers from more than 40 countries. Fellowships last two to three months and involve placements with host organizations in Germany or CCP partner countries. Participants can develop professional skills and intercultural understanding while sharing their own expertise with their hosts.
Scholarship Overview
CCP 2027 is a professional exchange fellowship rather than a university scholarship. Its activities include work-related placements, professional development, networking, and intercultural workshops. The two key topics for the 2027 program are culture of remembrance and democratic resilience.
The program will primarily offer on-site fellowships. Digital participation may also be possible, depending on individual circumstances and applicable travel regulations. Selected fellows are scheduled to participate between May and November 2027, with each placement lasting two to three months.
Host Country
Germany is the principal destination identified for this opportunity, while the exchange structure also includes placements in CCP partner countries. Fellows work with host organizations and contribute their professional knowledge, regional perspectives, and networks. After returning to their regular workplaces, participants can apply their exchange experience within their home organizations.
Host Institution or Organization
The Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen, referred to as IFA, implements the CrossCulture Program with financial support from the German Federal Foreign Office. Placements take place within the CCP network of host organizations. These exchanges allow both fellows and their hosts to learn from different professional approaches and civil society contexts.
Available Fields of Study
The fellowship supports professional practice rather than academic degree study. Its main areas are policy and society, media and culture, human rights and peace, and sustainable development and climate justice. Applicants should consider how their existing professional or volunteer activities relate to these areas and the program’s civil society focus.
Scholarship Benefits
Financial support differs for participants coming from abroad and those participating from Germany. International fellows receive a monthly stipend of €650, alongside support for several essential placement expenses. Participants from Germany receive a monthly stipend of €1,200 intended to cover accommodation and other local expenses.
- Participants from abroad: Round-trip airfare, accommodation, a monthly public transportation pass in their city of residence, health insurance, and reimbursement of visa fees where applicable.
- Participants from Germany: Round-trip airfare, reimbursement of visa fees, and health insurance, in addition to the monthly stipend.
- Professional support: Collaboration with a CCP host organization, guidance, and mentorship throughout the fellowship.
- Learning and networking: Online or on-site professional development opportunities, participation in a three- to four-day transcultural workshop, and connections with other fellows and the CCP alumni network.
Professional development activities may be tailored to a fellow’s goals and interests. However, the funding does not cover additional costs for accompanying family members. Individual accessibility accommodations and personal support services are also outside the program’s financial coverage.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must be at least 23 years old when applying and have at least two years of proven professional experience or volunteer service within a civil society organization in their home country. They must also demonstrate strong experience in their relevant field. Students are not eligible, and applicants must not receive another form of funding, such as another fellowship, during the same year.
A solid command of written and spoken English is required. Candidates must be able to undertake an extended stay abroad, taking into account that the program currently cannot provide or finance individual accessibility accommodations. Additional language skills, particularly German, are beneficial but are not compulsory.
Preference is given to applicants with a substantial, sustained commitment to social or community causes. Existing or planned cooperation with an organization in the target country is another favorable factor. These preferences accompany the fellowship’s primary focus on professionals and volunteers working in its supported civil society fields.
Required Documents
The application requires an English-language curriculum vitae covering education, training, employment, volunteering, and other skills. Applicants must also provide a recommendation letter from a supervisor at their home organization or workplace, using the official template. A photograph may be included, but it is optional.
Application Process
Apply through the organizer’s official website and access the online application portal. Applicants must select the appropriate country call and review their eligibility before completing the form. All documents should be ready beforehand because the application system does not allow drafts to be saved.
Complete the form, upload the required documents, and submit the application online. Applicants must complete the application themselves without using AI. Applications submitted by email, incomplete submissions, and applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
After submission, applicants will receive an email acknowledging receipt of their documents. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview after the deadline. Final selection results are expected in March or April 2027.
Important Dates and Deadline
The application period opens on October 20, 2026, and closes on December 8, 2026. Selection results are expected in March or April 2027, followed by fellowship participation between May and November 2027. Applicants should distinguish the overall participation window from the individual fellowship duration of two to three months.
Tips for Applicants
As general preparation advice, review the eligibility conditions before investing time in the application. In particular, check your age, civil society experience, student status, and other funding arrangements against the stated rules. Consider your availability for an extended placement and any personal expenses that fall outside the fellowship’s coverage.
Request your recommendation early so your supervisor has time to complete the official template. Prepare and review all files before entering the portal, since an unfinished application cannot be saved as a draft. Allow time before the deadline to check uploads and resolve any submission difficulties.
How to Prepare a Strong Application
As general guidance, organize your CV so reviewers can easily follow your professional and volunteer experience. Use accurate dates and clear descriptions of your responsibilities, particularly where they demonstrate sustained civil society engagement. Describe your own contributions precisely rather than relying on broad claims about your organization’s work.
Check that the information across your CV, application form, and recommendation is consistent. Where relevant, clearly explain existing or planned cooperation with an organization in the target country without overstating its status. Review the completed application yourself for accuracy and clarity, respecting the requirement to prepare it without AI.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can current students apply for CCP 2027?
No, students are excluded from this fellowship. CCP is intended for eligible professionals and volunteers involved in civil society. Applicants must also satisfy the minimum age and experience requirements.
Is German proficiency compulsory?
No, German is not a mandatory language requirement. Applicants do need a solid command of spoken and written English. German and other additional language skills can be beneficial.
Can fellows participate digitally?
The 2027 program primarily provides on-site fellowships. Digital participation may be possible depending on individual circumstances and travel regulations. It should therefore not be treated as an automatically available option.
Does funding cover accompanying family members?
No, additional expenses for accompanying family members are excluded. Individual accessibility accommodations and personal support services are also not covered. Applicants should consider these limitations when assessing their ability to participate.
Conclusion
The CrossCulture Program 2027 offers funded professional exchange for eligible civil society professionals and volunteers. Its placements, mentorship, workshops, and networks support learning between fellows and host organizations. Candidates should prepare the required documents, complete their own application, and submit through the official portal by December 8, 2026.
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