CrossCulture Program 2027 in Germany | €650 Monthly Stipend + Flights and Housing
Do you work for an NGO, a newsroom or a community group? Most international programs are for students or charge high fees, so working professionals often have few options. The CrossCulture Program 2027 in Germany is different, because it is built for people already working in civil society.
The CCP Fellowship 2027 is run by ifa (Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen) and funded by the German Federal Foreign Office. Selected fellows spend two to three months with a host organisation in Germany or a partner country. In return, ifa pays a €650 monthly stipend and also covers flights, accommodation and health insurance.
In this guide, you will find the CrossCulture Program 2027 in Germany eligibility rules, the 40 eligible countries, the required documents and the steps to apply online. The deadline is 8 December 2026, so read carefully and start early.
Quick Answer
The CrossCulture Program 2027 is a 2 to 3 month fellowship in Germany or a partner country for civil society professionals and volunteers from 40 countries. ifa pays €650 per month and covers flights, accommodation, health insurance, a transport pass and visa fees. To apply, you must be at least 23, have at least 2 years of civil society experience, and submit online by 8 December 2026, 23:59 CET.
CCP Fellowship 2027 Details
- Program: CrossCulture Programme (CCP) Fellowships 2027
- Provider: ifa (Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen)
- Funded by: German Federal Foreign Office
- Host country: Germany or a CCP partner country
- Duration: 2 to 3 months
- Fellowship period: May to November 2027
- Format: On-site (digital participation possible in some cases)
- Number of fellows: 50 to 60 per year
- Eligible countries: 40
- 2027 key topic: Democratic Resilience
- Who can apply: Professionals and volunteers in civil society (not students)
- Deadline: 8 December 2026, 23:59 CET
Also check: VU Amsterdam Fellowship Programme 2027
CrossCulture Program 2027 Benefits (Is It Fully Funded?)
ifa covers the main costs of the fellowship for international fellows. According to the official program page, you will receive:
- A monthly stipend of €650
- Round-trip airfare
- Accommodation
- A monthly public transport ticket in your host city
- Health insurance
- Reimbursement of visa fees
In addition, fellows get non-financial benefits:
- Mentoring during the fellowship
- A 3 to 4 day Transcultural Workshop
- Professional development and networking with other fellows
- Membership in the CCP alumni network
- An extra event for fellows working on the 2027 key topic, Democratic Resilience
Is it fully funded? ifa does not use the term “fully funded” on its official page. Even so, the main costs (travel, housing, insurance and visa) are covered, and you also get a stipend. Note that the stipend amount depends on funding from the German Federal Foreign Office.
Also check: United Nations Regional Course in International Law for Africa 2027
What the CCP Fellowship Does NOT Cover
- Family members: Spouses, partners and children cannot join you. ifa will not pay costs or take responsibility for anyone else.
- Personal expenses: Food, phone and other daily costs come from your €650 stipend.
- Long-term stays: The fellowship is 2 to 3 months only. It is not a job, a degree or a long-term visa route.
CrossCulture Program 2027 in Germany Eligibility
You must meet all of these requirements:
- Age: At least 23 years old at the time of application
- Experience: At least 2 years of proven professional or volunteer work in a civil society organisation in your home country
- English: Solid written and spoken English
- Health: Able to undertake a longer stay abroad
- Field: Working in policy and society, media and culture, human rights and peace, sustainable development, or democratic resilience
The following are not required, but they strengthen your application:
- Long-term social or community commitment
- An existing or planned collaboration with an organisation in the host country
- Other language skills, especially German
Eligible Countries for the CCP Fellowship 2027
Applications are open to citizens of these 40 countries:
| Region | Countries |
|---|---|
| South Asia | Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka |
| Middle East and North Africa | Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Palestinian Territories (West Bank), Syria, Tunisia |
| Southeast and East Asia | Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam |
| Central Asia and Caucasus | Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan |
| Europe | Republic of Moldova, Serbia, Ukraine, Russia (only Russians living in exile abroad) |
| Latin America | Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Guatemala, Mexico |
Who Is NOT Eligible
- Students: Students cannot apply.
- People with other funding: You cannot apply if you receive another fellowship or similar funding in the same year.
- Applicants under 23: You must be 23 or older when you apply.
- Citizens of other countries: If your country is not in the table above, you cannot apply. For example, no sub-Saharan African country is on the 2027 list.
- Russians living in Russia: Only Russians living in exile abroad can apply.
Also check: Fellowship Programs for International Applicants
Acceptance Rate: Be Realistic About Your Chances
ifa does not publish the number of applicants or an official acceptance rate. However, it selects only 50 to 60 fellows from 40 countries each year. On average, that is roughly 1 to 2 fellows per country (our own estimate, not an official figure).
As a result, the CCP Fellowship is highly competitive. Shortlisted applicants must also pass an interview with the Selection Board. Furthermore, ifa does not explain why an application is rejected.
To improve your chances:
- Show clear, long-term civil society work, not one short project.
- Explain how the experience will help your home organisation after you return.
- Link your work to the 2027 key topic, Democratic Resilience, if it truly fits.
- Mention any existing contact with a German or partner-country organisation.
Required Documents
Prepare these before you open the application form:
- CV in English: Up to date, covering education, work experience, volunteer work and other skills.
- Letter of recommendation: From your home organisation or employer, preferably from your supervisor. It must use the official 2027 template, which you can download from the application portal.
- Photo (optional): A recent photo.
Important: The portal does not let you save drafts. Therefore, keep all files ready before you start.
Who Should Apply
This fellowship is a strong fit if you are:
- An NGO or community organisation staff member
- A journalist, media worker or cultural professional
- A human rights, peacebuilding or democracy activist
- A climate or sustainable development worker
- A committed volunteer with at least 2 years of proven experience
On the other hand, it is not the right choice if you want a degree, a long-term job or a family move to Germany.
How to Apply Online for the Cross Culture Program Germany
Follow these steps:
- Check your eligibility: Confirm your age, your experience and that your country is on the list.
- Ask your supervisor early: Send them the official 2027 recommendation letter template.
- Update your CV: Write it in English and include all your civil society work.
- Open the call page: Go to the official CCP application portal (link below).
- Select your country call: For example, “CCP Fellowship 2027 for Pakistan”.
- Fill in the form yourself: ifa asks applicants to complete the application in person, without using AI.
- Upload your documents: Add your CV, your recommendation letter and an optional photo.
- Submit before the deadline: Submit online before 8 December 2026, 23:59 CET. Emailed, incomplete and late applications are not considered.
- Check your email: You will receive a confirmation of receipt.
You can also watch ifa’s official CCP introduction video before you apply.
Also check: Visa Guides for International Applicants
CrossCulture Program 2027 Deadline and Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications open | 20 October 2026 |
| Application deadline | 8 December 2026, 23:59 CET |
| Interviews (shortlisted only) | After the deadline (exact dates not confirmed) |
| Results by email | March or April 2027 |
| Fellowship period | May to November 2027 (2 to 3 months) |
Frequently Asked Questions
The CrossCulture Programme (CCP) is an exchange program run by ifa and funded by the German Federal Foreign Office. It sends 50 to 60 civil society professionals and volunteers each year to work for 2 to 3 months with host organisations in Germany or partner countries.
ifa does not use the term “fully funded” on its official page. However, it covers round-trip flights, accommodation, health insurance, a monthly transport ticket and visa fees, and it pays a €650 monthly stipend. Family members are not covered.
The deadline is 8 December 2026 at 23:59 CET. Late applications are not accepted.
No. Students are not eligible. You need at least 2 years of proven professional or volunteer work in a civil society organisation.
No. The fellowship lasts 2 to 3 months, within the period May to November 2027.
The official page does not mention IELTS or any other test. Instead, it asks for solid written and spoken English, which may be checked during the interview.
