Specialists and Managers from Germany

More and more companies are becoming 'global players' i.e. their business activities are not limited to the German domestic market but they provide goods and services on a global scale. This requires suitably qualified personnel.

The following programmes address themselves to young qualified employees and leaders. The programmes' focus is on the development of intercultural competences as well as further professional qualification abroad.

Objective of the EU-Education-Programmes is to qualify young people for a Europe growing closer by means of vocational training and the learning of foreign languages.

The National Agency Education for Europe at the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) is the national office in charge of the EU-Programmes in the field of vocational education. The programmes' main target groups are:

young people in their first vocational training,

young employees who have completed their vocational training (special trainee courses),

employed persons (further vocational training) and

vocational instructors (lecturers, teaching staff in the field of vocational education).

The EU-Programme for Lifelong Learning supports the EU-wide exchange of persons during vocational training, of vocational instructors as well as lecturers of all ages.

LEONARDO DA VINCI is the EU sectoral-programme on vocational education and continued vocational education. The programme addresses itself to young people doing their first vocational education and young employees. The following activities are eligible for funding:

Mobility certificate

Preparatory visits

Initial vocational training

People in the labour market

Professionals in vocational education and training

Partnerships

Transfer of innovation

Development of innovation

Thematic networks

Accompanying measures

For further information on application modalities please consult the website Leonardo da Vinci - How to participate? or directly contact the National Agency of your home country.

Individual learning visits abroad for continued vocational training are eligible for funding in line with the so-called Pool-Projects. The Pool-Projects address themselves likewise to apprentices, trainees and young vocational entrants.

The EU-Programmes GRUNDTVIG and Study Visits for Experts of Vocational Education (Website in German) address themselves to this target group. The programmes' objectives are to encourage flexibility in vocational training schemes, and to attract trainees and young professionals for further training abroad.

GRUNDTVIG is the EU-Programme in the field of adult education. The Programme addresses itself to public and non-public education institutions and organisations of the EU-Member States as well as to individuals. Older people as well as adults who have broken off their vocational education without attaining a basic qualification count among the programme’s main target groups.

GRUNDTVIG comprises nine sorts of activities that are designed to enhance the quality of educational offers and to meet new educational challenges emerging from demographic developments in many European societies:

preparatory visits,

visits and exchanges,

assistantships,

in-service-training for adult education staff,

workshops,

learning partnerships,

multilateral projects,

networks,

accompanying measures.

Qualified for application are employees of public and non-public institutions in the field of adult education as teaching staff, multipliers, academics and professionals of adult education and youth work.

The office in charge of the implementation of the GRUNDTVIG-Programme in Germany is the National Agency Education for Europe at the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training.

The study visits programme CEDEFOP supports stays of three to five days in a host country for a group of 10 to 15 European education and vocational training specialists and decision-makers in the field of education policy. The programme addresses itself to stakeholders who want to examine a particular aspect of lifelong learning in another participating country. A study visit usually includes presentations and on location visits to educational and training institutions, ministries and training sites.

The Pedagogical Exchange Service (PAD) is the National Agency in charge of the programme and thus the institution responsible for applications in Germany.

For further information please also consult the CEDEFOP homepage.

These seminars prepare development-organisation staff and their families for travel, life and work in developing countries. The three-months preparational seminar is divided into a number of separate programmes which may be booked or selected individually. The seminars are organised by the Vorbereitungsstätte für Entwicklungszusammenarbeit (V-EZ) (website in German) run by Inwent Capacity Building International.

The German-Japanese Study Programme for Youth Work Specialists is aimed at specialists that are employed in the field of youth work. Every year two delegations of experts in various youth work fields are invited to visit Japan or Germany. These multipliers are then introduced to the frameworks of youth work in the other country. Participants visit youth work institutions and centres; they meet the youth of the other country and learn more about their problems, and thus have an opportunity to acquire knowledge for their own work and to develop further their own country’s national youth work agenda.

The following exchange and advanced training programmes provided by the Pedagogic Exchange Service (PAD) address themselves to teachers of foreign languages - students, vocational entrants or professionals with long experience in the teaching of foreign languages:

The exchange programme Assistant Teachers in foreign language teaching abroad enables prospective teachers from Germany to assist teaching lessons in German as a foreign language at an education institution of their host country. By attending and assisting other school subjects they will be able to gain practical teaching experience for their future career as a teacher in foreign languages.

The programme internships for foreign language teachers in France, Great Britain and Spain addresses itself to professional teaching staff from Germany who are teaching French, English or Spanish as a foreign language at a secondary or primary school. During school year participants will assist classes at a host school for two to three weeks.

The COMENIUS-Assistants programme addresses itself to young teachers intending to do a teaching training in a European host country. Being an assistant teacher, participants get the opportunity to enhance foreign language skills and to gain practical teaching experience with regard to their career as teachers of foreign languages.

Further training courses in teaching foreign languages for teachers are eligible for funding in line with the COMENIUS-Measures of Advanced Education for Teaching Staff if participants acquire skills in foreign languages taught less often and being of minor dissemination or if they enhance didactical or methodical skills in teaching English, French or Spanish as a foreign language.

In cooperation with the Federation of the German-French Houses of Culture in France and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) the Robert Bosch Foundation annually sends ten graduates as guest lecturers of the German language to France. Basic aim of the 'DeutschMobil' initiative is to contrast French students' usually one-sided impression of Germany with a modern image that is friendlier and more attractive. Additionally the initiative wants to arouse the French students' interest in the German language as a point of orientation for the selection of their foreign language classes.

The German-American Institute Tübingen (d.a.i.) has been running a training programme for English teachers in cooperation with American universities since 1982.

With the Lectureship Programme at Universities in Eastern Europe and China the Robert Bosch Foundation offers grants to young German graduates interested in teaching and undertaking projects at universities in Eastern Europe and in China.

In line with its programme focus International Understanding the Robert-Bosch Foundation provides bilateral visitors' and scholarship-Programmes for Journalists in European and non-European countries:

in cooperation with the Center for Transatlantic Relations at the Johns Hopkins University in Washington, D.C, the Robert Bosch Foundation offers a Journalism Program for German and American Journalists. Editors of quality regional newspapers receive opportunity to meet colleagues and experts from the political, economic, and administrative sectors in the host country and gain an inside view of current issues in the news.

Intensifying German-Turkish Relations: Programme for Journalists addresses itself to German and Turkish journalists. The groups selected in the application process participate in a three-part programme consisting of two weekend forums in their home countries and a one-week journey through Germany and Turkey respectively. At all three events, the participating journalists meet important representatives from politics, business, society and the media. The aim of the programme is to promote unprejudiced reporting on the neighbouring country. All three projects are organized by CultureForum Turkey-Germany in Cologne.

the Visiting Program for German Journalists to Japan aims to promote a more complete and balanced coverage of Japan in the German media. The programme is organised in cooperation with the Japanese-German Center Berlin and the Japan Institute for Social and Economic Affairs (Keizai Koho Center). Applications will be accepted from journalists representing all German media outlets (print, TV, radio, Internet). There is no age limit. The pilot event discussing a current topic will be held in Tokyo and in other Japanese cities.

The Informational Trip to India for German Journalists enables up to ten journalists to gain a firsthand insight into the political, civic, and economic realities of India. During the trip to New Delhi, Bangalore, and Hyderabad meetings and discussions with representatives from politics, business, science, civil society, and the media are planned. The programme's aim is to contribute to a better understanding of India and promote a more complete and balanced coverage of the subcontinent.

The Programme Journalists on Location: Media Projects Central Europe, Eastern Europe and China wants to give young journalists opportunity to conduct research abroad and thereby gain firsthand experience of central and eastern European countries, so they can pass it on to their readers and viewers. Applications for funding for projects like information tours, conferences and seminars may be submitted at any time. At least one other funding organization should be involved. Funding is not available for personal research projects.

By its programme area "Science and Dialogue" the Robert-Bosch Foundation wants to advance the presentation of science and its institutional settings in the media and to promote dialogue between science and society:

The programme Journalism Meets Research awards grants to Science Journalists for journalistic research in any domain of science or science policy respectively. Eligible for funding are research projects from several weeks up to three months' duration. The program is open to print, radio and television journalists with at least three years' professional experience of writing about science. They must be either members of an editorial team or important regular freelance contributors. Successful applicants can receive support for a research or study trip or residency they have organized themselves.

By awarding Study Trips and Travel Grants for Science Journalists the Robert-Bosch Foundation is pursuing two objectives: firstly it wants to raise awareness about science among young journalists working for regional daily newspapers and to interest them in making a career as a science journalist. Secondly it wants to broaden the knowledge of experienced science writers about scientific and research activities in other European countries, especially the new European Union member states.

The Initiative Science Journalism is a project run jointly by the Robert Bosch Stiftung, the Association of Foundations for German Science and BASF SE.
The Initiative will offer continuing training courses in science journalism as well as networking opportunities for science writers in Germany from the start of 2008 to the end of 2011. The aim of the initiative is to improve the independence and quality of science reporting in Germany.
It will offer introductory programs, continuing training seminars, research support, journalist trips and other events for science journalists. The first programs have already been announced.

For more detailed information on particular grant programmes please consult the Website of the Initiative Science Journalism (website in German) issued by the Technical University Dortmund (TU Dortmund).

The programme Cultural Managers in Central- and Eastern Europe is conducted by the Robert Bosch Foundation in cooperation with the Goethe-Institut, the German Federal Foreign Office and other partners and is coordinated by the Eastern Europe Center of the University of Hohenheim. Each year the foundation sends fellows for up to two years as Robert Bosch Cultural Managers at cultural institutions in Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe, where they provide conceptual and organizational support. Their tasks include initiating and implementing projects in different branches of the arts and culture, canvassing funds, public relations activities, and helping their host institution develop international relationships. Besides the advanced vocational training of young executives in the field of international cultural exchange in a long-term perspective the programme aims at the development of sustainable cultural relations between Germany and its neighboring countries in Centrtal, Eastern and Southeast Europe.

The internationally renowned Harkness Fellowship Program launched by the Commonwealth Fund in 1925 awards future leaders in the health professions in Australia, Great Britain, Canada, New Zealand and (since 2006) Germany funding for a one-year research residency in the United States. Over the next three years, the Commonwealth Fund, the B. Braun-Stiftung and the Robert Bosch Stiftung will award three scholarships per year to German Harkness Fellows.

The exchange programme for young booksellers and publishers offers 20 scholarship holders from Germany and France.

Together with the Franco-German youth charity Deutsch-Französisches Jugendwerk (DFJW), the Bureau International de l'Édition Française, the Collège International des Traducteurs in Arles (France) and the Literarisches Colloquium Berlin, the Frankfurt Book Fair organises an exchange programme for young French and German literary translators.

Heinz Nixdorf Programme of Funding of Asia-Pacific-Experience (web page in German) enables German young executives to pass a six-month internship in Asian countries.

Heinz Nixdorf Programme strengthens creativity plus entrepreneurial thinking and corporate transaction of German young executives.

Target audience of the programme are young professionals and graduates of trading and technical department.

Destinations of the programme:

China

India

Indonesia

Japan

Malaysia

South Korea

Taiwan

Vietnam

The International Parliamentary Scholarship (IPS) of the German Bundestag enables about 120 qualified, politically committed young people from 28 countries to get an insight in the process of political decision making as well as gaining practical experience in the field of parliamentary work. The programme is aimed at the support and strengthening of bilateral relations between Germany and the participating countries.

The Postgraduate Programme in International Affairs organised by the Robert Bosch Foundation supports highly qualified and motivated graduates from all academic subjects seeking employment in international organizations. The programme prepares fellows for a career in international organissations, especially in the fields of foreign and security policy, economic policy, and technical, scientific and development-related cooperation. During 13-months of fellow's work in international organizations participants are to deal with a practical assignment in the field of international cooperation which they themselves have chosen. The Programme also comprises seminars on international politics and leadership competence.

The Bellevue Programme provides young executives in the highest government authorities with further qualifications, foreign experience and the opportunity for exchange with colleagues from other European countries. During a 12-month internship in a partner country, participants learn about their host country’s administration structures and political decision making processes. They are expected to contribute their experience to the host authority and assume independent responsibility for their assignments.

The Carl Friedrich Goerdeler-Kolleg is an international intensive professional development programme for young executives from the public sector (public administration, public companies, non-profit organizations, etc.) from Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia organised and conducted by the Robert Bosch-Foundation. Scholarship holders receive the opportunity to gain in-depth experience of life and work in Germany as well as forming new sustainable contacts and acquiring professional experience to improve their qualifications. They therefore contribute to cooperation between institutions relevant to European society and help to advance the European integration process.

The International Fellowship Programme for Learning and Exchange in Philanthropy organised by the Robert Bosch Foundation in cooperation with European and American foundations offers internships to executives in the non-profit sector and civil society in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and promote international cooperation between foundations and NGOs. Managers and employees of foundations and NGOs can improve their professional competence by internships of several weeks duration in Germany, Britain and other countries. This also provides them the opportunity to form new international contacts. Interns focus on activities like application management, lobbying, and fundraising.

The Robert Bosch Foundation would like to confront the lack of academic talent involved in research and training in early education.

Each year, the Research and Study Program on Education in Early Childhood - Excellent Young Academics for the Sciences offers 15 young academics a comprehensive and module-based further-education program that runs for four years.

Within 24 months, the young academics receive numerous individually tailored further-education offers. These offers, which are in module form, are related to education in early childhood, and accompany their qualification work (doctorate or postdoctorate qualification).

One main focus of the Japanese-German Centre in Berlin is on the support of future decision-makers and executives from both countries:

The Exchange Program for Young Experts targets young potential managers from public research institutions or – future executives from private companies in Germany and Japan. Through visits to the other country the program seeks to promote mutual understanding as well as foster lively academic exchange and discussions.

The Young Leaders Forum addresses itself to young leaders from Japan and Germany aged between 25 to 35 years. The programme's aims are to support German-Japanese cooperation and to contribute to fostering mutual relations. In line with a summer school on a socio-political topic with high relevance to both countries it gives participants the opportunity to exchange viewpoints and experiences on an interdisciplinary and international level. A round trip conveys an insight into institutions and companies in their regional environments. The place of the Forum’s location annually alternates between Germany and Japan.

Arbeitskreis Lernen und Helfen in Übersee e.V. is a network of organisations involved in recruitment for development cooperation, voluntary community services and extra-curricular youth and education activities.

Arbeit und Leben e.V. (AuL) is an institution of political youth and adult education maintained by the German Trade Union Federation and the Volkshochschulen, institutions offering adult education classes.

Gustav Stresemann Institute for Supranational Education and European Collaboration is a non-party modern centre for education, discussion and interaction.

Exhibition and Fair Company of the German Booksellers and Publishers Association offers fellowship programmes for booksellers and publishers.