EMGIP (Émigré Memorial German Internship Program) offers internship opportunities for US and Canadian students in the German parliament, the Bundestag. The internships are two months long in positions matching the student’s interest and experience. Interns will be placed within the Verwaltung, preferably with a Sekretariat working for their preferred Ausschuss. In addition to contributing to the respective offices, interns have the opportunity to study legislative and administrative procedures in the German parliament.

DAAD programs are helping to create goodwill and professional relationships that will help build a solid basis for relations between Germany and North America. EMGIP Internships were founded in 1965 by Professors Louise Holborn and George Romoser with the assistance of many scholars of German affairs, especially in the social sciences and contemporary history, and with the financial and planning aid of various German offices also interested in encouraging the development of future generations of German experts. In view of the contributions of German émigrés, the experiential program was named Émigré Memorial German Internship Program.

Terms of the award:

The successful applicant will receive compensation of approximately €1,800 per month from the German Bundestag. Subsidized health insurance is available through DAAD for a monthly fee. DAAD can help the interns to obtain housing in Berlin and make contacts with fellow international interns and German students. Travel expenses are the intern’s responsibility.

Applicants for EMGIP – Bundestag should possess outstanding academic records and personal integrity as well as sufficient knowledge of the German legislative process. Participants should be advanced undergraduates or graduate students in fields such as political science, international relations, law, history, economics or German. PhD students are not eligible. Students must be fluent in spoken German and possess excellent writing skills.

US and Canadian citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply. International students who are enrolled in a full time course of study in the US or Canada may also apply. German nationals are not eligible.

Attention graduating seniors: Successful applicants must hand in a certificate of enrollment for the internship period to ensure student status in Germany or enroll at the Free University as special students.

• junior
• senior
• graduate

• US Citizen
• Permanent Resident
• International or Other Visa Status

The German Bundestag suggests that you choose a two-month period between September and mid-December when the Bundestag is in session. Placements during the spring are rare, but sometimes possible from May 1st. Since the spring session ends in late June, placements typically end in early July for the summer break. The Bundestag is not in session in July and August. In order to receive an optimal placement for your internship you should clearly state your particular interests in the essay. Short-listed candidates will be interviewed in German.

Further instructions can be found on the website: https://www.daad.org/en/find-funding/graduate-opportunities/emgip-bundestag-internship/

All documents required should be merged into one PDF file in the order listed on the website (except for the recommendation letters which should be sent separately). The only documents that have to be submitted by mail are the letter of recommendations! Send your application to: emgip@daad.org 

FAQs: Please see our Frequently Asked Questions Section.

• How much German do I need to know?
  German language fluency is important for you to be able to carry out the assignments during your internship. Your writing skills in German must be equally excellent.
• How can I prepare for the internship?
  We recommend reading the Zeitschrift für Parlamentsfragen at zparl.de.
• Who do you consider an advanced undergraduate?
  Juniors and seniors have been the only successful undergraduate candidates in recent years.

If you have additional questions regarding the EMGIP - Bundestag Internship, please contact: emgip@daad.org.