Specialists and Managers from Germany

More and more companies are becoming 'global players' in the world market: they are not only active within the German market but offer their goods and services worldwide. This requires suitably qualified personnel.

'Deutsche Kultur International' offers a survey of programmes designed to raise awareness and increase understanding of professional life in other countries.

EU Education Programmes are intended to qualify especially young people for Europe growing together and to contribute to mobility, flexibility and mutual understanding.

The National Agency Education for Europe at the Federal Institute for Vocational Education (BIBB) on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Education and Research is the performing agency for EU-programmes on education for young people in their first vocational training, young employees who have finished their vocational training as well as for vocational instructors. The EU-framework-programme on lifelong learning supports the EU-wide exchange of persons within their vocational training, vocational instructors as well as lecturers of all ages:

LEONARDO DA VINCI is the EU sectoral-programme on vocational education and continued education. The programme addresses itself to persons taking their first vocational education, as well as young working people, having finished their vocational training (employees, academics) and specialists on educational and vocational training (instructors, qualified persons in the field of vocational education). The following activities are funded:

Mobility certificate

Preparatory visits

Initial vocational training

People in the labour market

Professionnals 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?" (issued by the European Commission) or directly contact the National Agency of your home country.

Within line of the so-called Pool-Projects  individual temporary stays abroad for the purpose of continued vocational training are funded as well. The Pool-Projects address itself to persons within their first vocational education as well as persons having finished their vocational training.

The EU-Programmes GRUNDTVIG and Study visits for experts of the vocational education (Website in German) of the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (CEDEFOP) are specifically addressed to these 'multipliers'. Support for these professionals is intended to encourage flexibility in vocational training schemes, and to attract trainees and young professionals for further training abroad.

LEONARDO DA VINCI is the EU sectoral-programme on vocational education and continued education. The programme addresses itself to persons taking their first vocational education, as well as young working people, having finished their vocational training (employees, academics) and specialists on educational and vocational training (instructors, qualified persons in the field of vocational education). The following activities are funded:

Mobility certificate

Preparatory visits

Initial vocational training

People in the labour market

Professionnals 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?" (issued by the European Commission) or directly contact the National Agency of your home country.

Within line of the so-called Pool-Projects  individual temporary stays abroad for the purpose of continued vocational training are funded as well. The Pool-Projects address itself to persons within their first vocational education as well as persons having finished their vocational training.

The study visits programme CEDEFOP supports short 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. 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 places such as educational and training institutions, ministries and training sites.

The National Agency in charge of the programme and application procedure is the Pedagogical Exchange Service (PAD) (website in German):

Kultusministerkonferenz Pädagogischer Austauschdienst (PAD)
Nassestrasse 8
D-53113 Bonn
Tel. 0228 / 501-359 oder -20

These seminars prepare development-organisation staff and their families for travel abroad, and for life and work in developing countries. The usual preparation, the so-called three-months seminar, is divided into a number of separate programmes which may be booked individually or in any other combination. These are organised by the Vorbereitungsstätte für Entwicklungszusammenarbeit (V-EZ) of the InWEnt gGmbH (website in German).

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.

In addition to the European Union's programmes of advanced vocational training some organizations and foundations active in the field of transnational cultural work offer programmes of vocational training especially adressed to teachers of foreign languages:

EU-Programmes of advanced training for teachers of foreign languages are geared to the maintenance and extension of existing standards in language teaching in the field of vocational education.

For further information on particular programmes for school-teachers in service please consult the following websites of the German Pedagogic Exchange Service (PAD) (all websites in German):

Internship-Programme for foreign language teachers in France and Great Britain

Advanced Training for foreign language teachers abroad

Advanced Training Programme for foreign language teachers of the European Council

COMENIUS-Advanced Training Programme for teaching staff in school education.

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 programme International Understanding at School initiated by the Robert Bosch Foundation is administered in cooperation with the Pedagogical Exchange Service of the Conference of German State Ministers of Culture (Pädagogischer Austauschdienst der Kultusministerkonferenz) and the Central Agency for German Schools abroad (Zentralstelle für das Auslandsschulwesen). Students and university graduates are sent to selected schools in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe, where they spend three or six months teaching German language and culture and promoting an up-to-date image of Germany. Participants support German language tuition with their lessons and are immersed in everyday school life in a different culture. In the process, they gain intensive teaching experience and familiarity with their host country and its students, and initiate student projects to promote intercultural learning.

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

By 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 on the enhancement of "International Understanding" the Robert-Bosch Foundation organises a wide range of 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 program 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 program is to promote unprejudiced reporting on the partner 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.

The following grant programmes especially address themselves to future executives and young academics:

The German Society for Foreign Policy (DGAP) is an non-commercial, non-party association that actively supports the indipendent formation of opinion in the field of foreign policies on all policy-levels.

Supporting and interconnecting future decisionmakers is one of the special concerns of the DGAP. Several projects in line with the institute's research programmes address themselves to young people engaged in politics, leading staff entrants and young academics who deal with political questions (all websites in German):

German-French Dialogue

Course of Lectures for Diplomats

 Forum Central-Europe

 New Faces conference

Course of Lectures for Ph.D. students

summerschool

Workshop of the Dialogue Petersburg

Carl Friedrich Goerdeler-Kolleg

Forum 'Europe in Unitiy' – joint routes to an EUropean future?!

Czech-German Young Professionals Programm

For further information on application modalities of particular projects - unless not indicated on the related website - please contact the contact persons of the DGAP.

The International Parliamentary Scholarship (IPS) of the German Bundestag enables about 120 qualified, politically interested 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 programme lasts from the 1.st of March until the 31.st of July each year (in France: from the middle of Octobre until the 31.st of July). Scholarship holders are chosen by an indipendent commission of the German Bundestag in cooperation with the universities of Berlin.

The Postgraduate Program in International Affairs organised by the Robert Bosch Foundation supports highly qualified and motivated graduates from all academic fields seeking employment in international organizations. The program prepares fellows for a career, especially in the fields of foreign and security policy, economic policy, and technical, scientific and development-related cooperation.

20 fellowships are awarded each year. During the 13-month program, the fellows work for international organizations on a practical assignment in international cooperation which they themselves have chosen. In addition to internships, seminars on international politics and leadership competence are also arranged.

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 program 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 was developed by the Robert Bosch Foundation and has been conducted by the European Foundation Center (EFC) since 2006. European and American foundations use it to offer 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. Two programmes are especially addressed to this target group:

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 Japanese-German Centre Berlin together with the Robert Bosch Foundation are organising a Young Leaders Forum with a Summer School for young high potentials from Germany and Japan. The 10 days summer school programme includes a workshop on a socio-political topic relevant to both countries and a round trip to institutions and companies. The programme takes place annually alternating between Germany and Japan. English will be the spoken language during the summer school. Participants are recruited by recommendations of key persons from private companies or institutions in the fields of politics, business, research, media or administration. They should be aged between 25 and 35 years and speak English fluently.

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.