Consider applying for these internships, fellowships, and grants:
The Fulbright US Student Program provides grants for individually designed study/research projects or English Teaching Assistantships. Candidates submit a Statement of Grant Purpose defining activities to take place during one academic year in a participating country outside the U.S. Benefits for all Fulbright U.S. Student grants include round-trip transportation to the host country, funding to cover room, board, and incidental costs, and medical insurance plan.
Through the Austrian American Educational Commission Teaching Assistantships recent college graduates can work as teaching assistants in secondary school English classes across Austria for 9 months. The program is organized by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education and Women's Affairs.
The Congress Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals (CBYX) is a fully-funded fellowship collaboration between the German Bundestag and the US Congress (Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs). Each year, 75 US students travel to Germany where they live with host family, study and intern in a variety of fields. The program is run through Cultural Vistas.
Cultural Vistas is a non-profit internships, work-study and professional development programs with the aim of facilitating relations between America and the world. Germany is a top destination country programs and participants. Programs include the Robert Bosch Foundation Fellowship, the Congress Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals and the Baden-Württemberg Stipendium WISP Fellowship.
AIESEC is a non-profit global youth network which provides international internship and volunteer experiences in 124 countries and territories. Participants have the choice between the Global Internship Programs, which are paid and Global Community Development Programs, which are volunteer opportunities.
The German Academic Exchange Service (Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst or DAAD) is the leading international exchange program in Germany, which provides exchanges for international students to German universities, grants and internships, as well as information on how to obtain a part-time job in Germany as a foreign student. DAAD offers graduate and undergraduate scholarships, the University Summer Course Grant, RISE (Research in Science and Engineering) internships, and more.
The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation offers a competitive German Chancellor Fellowship college graduates with initial leadership experience from the USA (as well as Brazil, the People’s Republic of China, India, the Russian Federation, or South Africa). Participants implement a self-chosen project that supports their career development, is societally relevant, and has a lasting public impact.
The International Parliamentary Scholarship (IPS) is a program through the German Bundestag which offers young people with a university degree who are interested in politics the opportunity to work with a member of the Bundestag for fifteen weeks. Participants get to learn about the German parliamentary system and political decision-making processes and gain practical experience of parliamentary work.
Each year, the Berliner Abgeordnetenhaus provides 20 students the opportunity to spend 12 months conducting independent research in Berlin about Berlin, Germany and/or international subjects. The primary focus is in the social sciences, however, applications for research in scientific fields are also accepted.
Note: Some listings for internships can only be accessed by subscription, if you are a student be sure to check with the Career Services Office at your university to see what assistance they can provide.
Internship Opportunities in Washington, DC
Check the Austrian Embassy website for currently available jobs and internships. Positions at the Austrian Embassy require working knowledge of German. Most online materials and much of the work will be conducted entirely in German. Internship positions are full-time and paid.
The Embassy of Liechtenstein offers internships during both semesters and the summer for students and recent graduates. A working knowledge of German is required. The positions are part-time and unpaid. Interns work directly with the Ambassador, analyze research, compose memos, attend congressional hearings, and more. An academic background in international relations is expected.
The German Historical Institute offers fellowships supporting doctoral and post-doctoral research and programs for graduate students. Their list of options is extensive, with many different programs spanning a wide range of disciplines. Check their website for a complete list.
The American Institute for Contemporary German Studies, a division of Johns Hopkins University, offers unpaid spring, summer, and fall internships for undergraduates and graduates at their DC-based office. Knowledge of German is helpful, but not required. Interns assist with Institute research projects as well as developing and publishing their own work. Check their website for application details.
The German Marshall Fund offers several internship and job positions for current undergraduates to master’s degree recipients. Positions generally focus on transatlantic relations but many have other areas of focus. Most positions are in DC, but some are located abroad. Check out their website for a full list of available internships and jobs.
The German American Heritage Center and Museum offers undergraduate/graduate level internships, independent study, and project opportunities year round. Check their website or contact them directly for the most recent information. Positions tend to focus on museum studies, communications, education, or business administration.
The Representative of German Industry and Trade (RGIT) is a liaison office for the Federation of German Industries and the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry. RGIT represents the interests of German industry in relation to the United States government and promotes foreign trade.
German Political Foundations / Think Tanks
Germany has six political foundations that receive funding from the German government. These foundations are located around the world with four of them in Washington, DC. These think tanks, each associated with a German political party, work to promote people’s civic participation, support young academic talents with scholarships and support the development of democracies abroad. They offer internships that support scholarship and research as a basis for political action. Click logos to learn more about each one.
Germany has six political foundations that receive funding from the German government. These foundations are located around the world with four of them in Washington, DC. These think tanks, each associated with a German political party, work to promote people’s civic participation, support young academic talents with scholarships and support the development of democracies abroad. They offer internships that support scholarship and research as a basis for political action. Click logos to learn more about each one.