Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it better to have already made contact with a specific institution before I apply, or is it sufficient to choose only one institution?
The more thought you give to the internships, the better. We expect you to have already completed the necessary research and to have developed a concept for the nine-month internship period. You do not have to inquire at a potential internship institution during the first phase; however, if you already have contacts through prior or current work experience, then you can let us know.
Can the Robert Bosch Stiftung guarantee that the internship that interests me will be arranged?
The Robert Bosch Stiftung has many contacts with potential internship institutions, and especially those that have provided successful placements to past scholarship holders. However, the foundation cannot guarantee placement and expects scholarship holders to show personal initiative and flexibility as regards their placement.
Can I complete the internships outside of Germany?
The program is primarily conceived for Germany. In agreement with the foundation, it is possible to inquire at the European Union (e.g. Federal State representative in Brussels) about an internship at a German institution. Although internships at European institutions in other countries are exceptions, they have been approved in some cases.
I have a bachelor’s degree. Will this be recognized?
A baccalaureate or bachelor’s degree from a state-approved university is accepted as a university degree.
I’m currently working outside of my native country and would like to participate in the program. Is that possible?
The Carl Friedrich Goerdeler-Kolleg is particularly aimed at people who have gained initial work experience in their native country and who would also like to return there. You can apply by including a very good reason as to how the scholarship could assist you in entering the public sector in your native country.
I am a lawyer. Can I apply?
Yes, the program is also open to lawyers who, for example, would like to complete the internships at a court of law in Germany.
I am a university teacher/instructor. Can I apply?
This occupational group is not a focus area of the Carl Friedrich Goerdeler-Kolleg. However, you can apply if you work in the administration of an educational or research institution (i.e. not in research or education). The program is not, however, open to teachers and researchers.
I am currently self-employed and work for various employers. Can I apply?
The self-employed are not actually the program’s target group. However, if you tell us in your cover letter exactly what you plan on doing with the scholarship as well as what you plan on doing afterwards, then you can apply.
I am currently unemployed, yet have gained initial experience working in the public sector. Can I apply and, if yes, what do I do with the missing required data in the online application?
You can apply if you can tell us why you are currently unemployed and how the scholarship will help you subsequently find employment in the public sector in your native country. In the application, please enter in the current employer field what you are exactly doing (e.g. parental leave, seeking employment, etc.).
When I apply, how proficient do my German language skills have to be?
The entire program, including the seminars and the internships, will be conducted in German. That means that when the scholarship begins you must be fluent in German. When you apply, you must at least have good German language skills that you should subsequently improve on your own. The interviews will be conducted in German. If you are selected, the foundation will provide you with a budget for taking language courses.
The more thought you give to the internships, the better. We expect you to have already completed the necessary research and to have developed a concept for the nine-month internship period. You do not have to inquire at a potential internship institution during the first phase; however, if you already have contacts through prior or current work experience, then you can let us know.
Can the Robert Bosch Stiftung guarantee that the internship that interests me will be arranged?
The Robert Bosch Stiftung has many contacts with potential internship institutions, and especially those that have provided successful placements to past scholarship holders. However, the foundation cannot guarantee placement and expects scholarship holders to show personal initiative and flexibility as regards their placement.
Can I complete the internships outside of Germany?
The program is primarily conceived for Germany. In agreement with the foundation, it is possible to inquire at the European Union (e.g. Federal State representative in Brussels) about an internship at a German institution. Although internships at European institutions in other countries are exceptions, they have been approved in some cases.
I have a bachelor’s degree. Will this be recognized?
A baccalaureate or bachelor’s degree from a state-approved university is accepted as a university degree.
I’m currently working outside of my native country and would like to participate in the program. Is that possible?
The Carl Friedrich Goerdeler-Kolleg is particularly aimed at people who have gained initial work experience in their native country and who would also like to return there. You can apply by including a very good reason as to how the scholarship could assist you in entering the public sector in your native country.
I am a lawyer. Can I apply?
Yes, the program is also open to lawyers who, for example, would like to complete the internships at a court of law in Germany.
I am a university teacher/instructor. Can I apply?
This occupational group is not a focus area of the Carl Friedrich Goerdeler-Kolleg. However, you can apply if you work in the administration of an educational or research institution (i.e. not in research or education). The program is not, however, open to teachers and researchers.
I am currently self-employed and work for various employers. Can I apply?
The self-employed are not actually the program’s target group. However, if you tell us in your cover letter exactly what you plan on doing with the scholarship as well as what you plan on doing afterwards, then you can apply.
I am currently unemployed, yet have gained initial experience working in the public sector. Can I apply and, if yes, what do I do with the missing required data in the online application?
You can apply if you can tell us why you are currently unemployed and how the scholarship will help you subsequently find employment in the public sector in your native country. In the application, please enter in the current employer field what you are exactly doing (e.g. parental leave, seeking employment, etc.).
When I apply, how proficient do my German language skills have to be?
The entire program, including the seminars and the internships, will be conducted in German. That means that when the scholarship begins you must be fluent in German. When you apply, you must at least have good German language skills that you should subsequently improve on your own. The interviews will be conducted in German. If you are selected, the foundation will provide you with a budget for taking language courses.
What should a letter of recommendation look like and which information should it contain? What is the difference between a letter of reference and a letter of recommendation?
As far as we are concerned, a letter of reference and a letter of recommendation are the same thing. The first letter of recommendation should be written by your current employer (by at least your immediate superior), while the second should be written by another public figure who both knows you well and is in a position to assess you (e.g. a former employer, project partner, or university lecturer). Recommendations from private individuals, friends, or relatives cannot be accepted. There is no predetermined form or content for a letter of recommendation, but it should contain at least the following information: first name and surname, place and date of birth (to enable unequivocal identification), information on the type and duration of employment or cooperation, and, of course, the recommendation itself, which should provide details of the applicant’s personality, strengths and weaknesses, area of activity, and potential for development. The letter of recommendation should be written specifically for the application to the Carl Friedrich Goerdeler-Kolleg and should therefore be as up to date as possible.
Can both my letters of recommendation come from my current employer (e.g. from different departments or different staff levels)?
Yes. Please note that we cannot accept letters of recommendation from colleagues (i.e. at the same staff level).
I cannot obtain a letter of recommendation from my employer, but I am nonetheless very interested in participating in the program. Can I submit a recommendation from my former employer or from another public figure?
Yes, but in this case we expect that you will explain why your employer does not wish to write a letter of recommendation.
When will I know whether I will be called for interview?
We send out the invitations to interviews by e-mail at the end of February. The interviews will take place in Berlin in March.
As far as we are concerned, a letter of reference and a letter of recommendation are the same thing. The first letter of recommendation should be written by your current employer (by at least your immediate superior), while the second should be written by another public figure who both knows you well and is in a position to assess you (e.g. a former employer, project partner, or university lecturer). Recommendations from private individuals, friends, or relatives cannot be accepted. There is no predetermined form or content for a letter of recommendation, but it should contain at least the following information: first name and surname, place and date of birth (to enable unequivocal identification), information on the type and duration of employment or cooperation, and, of course, the recommendation itself, which should provide details of the applicant’s personality, strengths and weaknesses, area of activity, and potential for development. The letter of recommendation should be written specifically for the application to the Carl Friedrich Goerdeler-Kolleg and should therefore be as up to date as possible.
Can both my letters of recommendation come from my current employer (e.g. from different departments or different staff levels)?
Yes. Please note that we cannot accept letters of recommendation from colleagues (i.e. at the same staff level).
I cannot obtain a letter of recommendation from my employer, but I am nonetheless very interested in participating in the program. Can I submit a recommendation from my former employer or from another public figure?
Yes, but in this case we expect that you will explain why your employer does not wish to write a letter of recommendation.
When will I know whether I will be called for interview?
We send out the invitations to interviews by e-mail at the end of February. The interviews will take place in Berlin in March.
What status will the scholarship holders have in Germany and which visa or other documentation will they need to present to be allowed to take part in the fellowship program in Germany for nine months?
Because the scholarship holders all come from EU member states, they will not need visa. The internships are classified under labor law as practical training periods, for which a work permit is not required in Germany. Other questions pertaining to residence status will be clarified with the local authorities at the start of the internship.
What will the content of the program be and how is it organized?
The program content and schedule are described in detail in the file “Detailed information about the program,” which is available in seven languages at www.goerdeler-kolleg.de.
How and where will I find accommodation in Germany?
Scholarship holders must find their own accommodation in Germany. The selected scholarship holders will receive detailed information about finding accommodation at the preparatory meeting in May 2010.
I have children of school age. Will they be able to attend school in Germany? Will it cost anything?
Public schools are free of charge in Germany. Scholarship holders must organize their children’s school attendance themselves.
If my family accompanies me to Germany, must I pay for their insurance myself?
Accompanying family members will be insured by the Robert Bosch Stiftung.
Will I receive a certificate at the end of the scholarship program?
Yes, you will receive a certificate at the end of the program attesting to your participation in the Carl Friedrich Goerdeler-Kolleg and recording details of your internships and the activities you carried out during them. In addition, certificates of attendance will be issued at the end of some seminars.
Will the monthly stipend be sufficient to cover accommodation and all necessary expenditures?
Experience indicates that the net monthly stipend of 1,380 Euro will be entirely sufficient for an average quality of life in Germany. However, the stipend is not intended for building up financial reserves for the post-scholarship period. The amount of the stipend compares very favorably with other scholarships, for example those awarded in the education sector.
Because the scholarship holders all come from EU member states, they will not need visa. The internships are classified under labor law as practical training periods, for which a work permit is not required in Germany. Other questions pertaining to residence status will be clarified with the local authorities at the start of the internship.
What will the content of the program be and how is it organized?
The program content and schedule are described in detail in the file “Detailed information about the program,” which is available in seven languages at www.goerdeler-kolleg.de.
How and where will I find accommodation in Germany?
Scholarship holders must find their own accommodation in Germany. The selected scholarship holders will receive detailed information about finding accommodation at the preparatory meeting in May 2010.
I have children of school age. Will they be able to attend school in Germany? Will it cost anything?
Public schools are free of charge in Germany. Scholarship holders must organize their children’s school attendance themselves.
If my family accompanies me to Germany, must I pay for their insurance myself?
Accompanying family members will be insured by the Robert Bosch Stiftung.
Will I receive a certificate at the end of the scholarship program?
Yes, you will receive a certificate at the end of the program attesting to your participation in the Carl Friedrich Goerdeler-Kolleg and recording details of your internships and the activities you carried out during them. In addition, certificates of attendance will be issued at the end of some seminars.
Will the monthly stipend be sufficient to cover accommodation and all necessary expenditures?
Experience indicates that the net monthly stipend of 1,380 Euro will be entirely sufficient for an average quality of life in Germany. However, the stipend is not intended for building up financial reserves for the post-scholarship period. The amount of the stipend compares very favorably with other scholarships, for example those awarded in the education sector.