The Robert Bosch Foundation Fellowship Program is a distinguished transatlantic initiative that offers a select cohort of accomplished Americans the opportunity to complete a comprehensive intercultural professional program in Germany that is comprised of three main components:

• Individual professional assignments
• Professional seminars
• German language training

Bosch Fellows act as consultants in their field of expertise at leading public or private institutions in Germany. In addition, they participate in professional seminars, where they travel to meet and exchange ideas with experts and decision-makers from Germany and Europe.

Bosch Fellows act as consultants in their field of expertise at leading public or private institutions in Germany. In addition, they participate in professional seminars, where they travel to meet and exchange ideas with experts and decision makers from Germany and Europe.

Prior to their work placements and seminars, Bosch Fellows receive private tutoring prior to their departure for Germany and participate in 8 weeks of intensive language courses in Berlin. Fellows are from the fields of public policy and administration, foreign and security policy, urban and regional planning, business, journalism and communications, law, or cultural and arts management (ex. museum, theater, orchestra).

The program is fully funded by the Robert Bosch Stiftung, one of the largest foundations in Germany, with the goal of fostering a community of American leaders who have the first-hand experience in the political, economic and cultural environment of Germany and the European Union.

Benefits

• One or two practical phases (stages) at leading institutions in Germany
• Seminar series covering issues of German, European and transatlantic concern
• Private German language instruction before departure; intensive language training in Berlin
• Monthly stipend within the range of EUR 3,200 to 3,700 starting in October; monthly summer stipend of EUR 1.500 + free accommodations during July, August, and September; the exact amount of stipend dependent upon the number of accompanying dependent family members
• Accommodation and travel for the orientation program
• Stipend for travel to and from Germany
• Lifelong membership in the Robert Bosch Foundation Alumni Association

Eligibility

Applicants are expected to have a genuine interest in German and European affairs, have clear goals for the professional assignment(s) of the program, and demonstrate a commitment to the transatlantic relationship that extends beyond their own professional interests

In particular, the following qualifications are required of all applicants:

• U.S. citizenship
• Age 40 or younger at the time of application
• Minimum of five years of full-time work experience in the target field (excluding internships)
• Professional experience and Fellowship target field should be in the areas of public policy and administration, foreign and security policy, urban and regional planning, business, journalism and communications, law, or cultural and arts management
• Evidence of outstanding professional performance and academic achievement
• Graduate degree preferred
• Active participation in community and/or public affairs
• Willingness and commitment to learning German; high proficiency would be an asset

Important Dates:

• April – June: Private German language tutoring
• April: Pre-departure orientation in Washington, D.C. and Charlottesville, VA
• July – September: Full-time German language training in Berlin; Introductory workshops with the Bosch Stiftung
• September – October: Seminar I
• October: First professional assignment begins
• January/February: Seminar II; 8-month Fellows depart
• February: Second professional assignment begins
• May: Seminar III; 11-month Fellows depart