Robert Bosch Foundation Fellowship Program

Frequently Asked Questions:
Application Process

When is the application deadline?

The application deadline for the 2011–2012 program year is October 15, 2010.

What are your citizenship requirements?

Only U.S. citizens are eligible. Permanent residents or citizens of other nations may not apply.

What are the age requirements for the program?

Applicants must be between the ages of 23 and 34 at the application deadline.

What kind of candidates are you looking for?

Ideal candidates have a Master's degree (or a JD), professional experience in one of the application fields listed below, outstanding academic records, a genuine interest in Germany and Europe, and active involvement in community affairs and/or public affairs. If the applicant does not hold a Master’s degree, at least two years of work experience in a related field is expected.

What fields are candidates chosen from?

Candidates are chosen from business administration, economics, journalism, law, public policy, international relations, and related fields.

How competitive is the program?

In the past, we have received up to 500 applications for one program year.

What do I need to send to CDS to apply?

A complete application includes the application form, a personal statement (maximum of 850 words, double spaced), a resume, official university transcripts, and two letters of recommendation. Please do not staple any documents, or include extraneous materials such as report covers, supplemental recommendations, or publications. Please submit the application, resume, and personal statement online. Official transcripts and recommendation letters must be received by October 15 at the following address:
Robert Bosch Foundation Fellowship Program
CDS International
440 Park Avenue South, 2nd Fl
New York, NY 10016

Signed and sealed recommendation letters and official transcripts may be sent directly by the recommenders and university registrars or in one package from the applicant.

What should the personal statement include?

A personal statement (maximum of 850 words, double spaced) should describe short and long-term career plans, interest in transatlantic relations, and personal objectives for the proposed stay in Germany. It is essential to propose institutions for both work phases in the private and public sectors, explaining how these work phases would complement the applicant’s professional development. Applicants should also include proposals of seminar topics related to current affairs in Germany and the European Union.

Who should write the letters of recommendation?

Recommenders can be recent supervisors or professors who have worked closely with the applicant. At least one professional recommendation is strongly encouraged.

Recommenders should use these letter writing guidelines: [PDF]

To whom should the letters of recommendation be addressed?

Letters of recommendation should be addressed to whom it may concern, or to the "Members of the Selection Committee".

May I send more than two letters or recommendation?

Please send only two letters of recommendation.

Must I fill out the application forms even though all my information is on my resume?

Yes, the application form must be completed in full.

When are decisions made?

Applications are reviewed until late November. Applicants will be notified by mid-December regarding their interview status. Please do not call CDS, as notification will only be made by mail.

Who is involved in the review of applications and determination of interview status?

The pre-selection committee is composed of a confidential committee of experts.

When are interviews?

Interviews for the 2011–2012 Bosch Fellowship will take place in New York City in January 2011. 44 candidates will be invited to interviews.

Who are the Selection Committee members?

The Selection Committee is composed of Americans and Germans who are prominent in the fields covered by the Fellowship and actively involved in international relations. Please note that the decision of whom grant the Fellowship is made solely at the discretion of the Selection Committee members. All decisions are final.

Frequently Asked Questions:
Program Information

What is the duration of the Fellowship Program?

The program runs from September 1 through May 31 of the following year. Many Fellows are required to travel to Berlin as early as June to complete intensive language training, bringing the program duration to one year.

What is the program timeline?

Seminar I – September >Politics in Germany, main developments in the private sector as well as in social and cultural affairs
>Germany’s relations with its eastern neighbors
>Visits to major cities in Germany and neighboring countries

First Work Phase – October through December
>Work experience in federal or state government (ministries, parliament, courts, etc), designed to primarily enable Fellows to gather information on policy-making and jurisdiction
>A work phase in media, business enterprises or other entities may be arranged if there is no position available in a public institution that matches the Fellow’s interests.

Seminar II – January
>Two-week study program in major German cities
>Special focus on state politics and the diversity of regional identities in Germany

Second Work Phase – January through May
>Project-based assignment in local government, private corporations, banks, law firms associations, media, or cultural institutions

Seminar III – March
>Visits to the headquarters of the Commission of the European Union and NATO in Brussels
>Special focus on current and future challenges to the transformation process of the EU
>Visit to another European capital

What are some examples of past host institutions for the work phases (stages)?

Below are examples of insitutions that have hosted Bosch Fellows in the past. Fellows are not limited to this selection:

Sample Federal Ministries >Auswärtiges Amt (Federal Foreign Office)
>Bundesanstalt für vereinigungsbedingte Sonderaufgaben (Federal Office for Reunification Issues)
>Bundesaufsichtsamt für das Kreditwesen (Federal Oversight Office for Banking)
>Bundeskartellamt (Federal Cartel Office)
>Bundesministerium der Justiz (Federal Ministry of Justice)
>Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz und Reaktorsicherheit (Federal Ministry of the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety)
>Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft (Federal Ministry of Economics)
>Presse- und Informationsamt der Bundesregierung (Federal Press and Information Office)
>Berlin Senate Department for Urban Development
>Supreme Court
>German Institute for International and Security Affairs
>Federal Bank

Sample Private Firms / NGOs
>Bertelsmann AG
>Boston Consulting Group
>Daimler-Chrysler
>Deutsche Bank AG
>International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives
>Jones Lang Wootton GmbH
>KPMG Deutsche Treuhand-Gesellschaft
>Robert Bosch GmbH
>Quadriga Capital Management GmbH
>Schering AG
>Siemens AG
>UNHCR
>Volkswagen AG
>Deutsche Telekom AG
>World Bank
>UN High Committee on Refugees
>International Organization for Migration
>Ecologic
>Aspen Institute

Sample Media Outlets
>Der Spiegel
>Deutsche Welle
>Die Zeit
>Der Tagespiegel
>International Herald Tribune
>Washington Post
>ZDF
>n-tv
>National Public Radio
>DeutschlandRadio

Who arranges the two work phases?

In general, the Robert Bosch Foundation arranges the stages in cooperation with the Fellows, who are responsible for identifying any ministries or companies where they would like to work; however, Fellows are encouraged to make their own contacts and advise the Foundation in this matter. (Please do not contact potential host institutions to set up work phases during the application process.)

May I work a second job in Germany while on the Fellowship?

A second occupation is generally not permitted. Any exceptions require the approval of the Robert Bosch Foundation.

May I bring my spouse? Can he/she work in Germany while I am there?

Yes, a spouse may accompany the Fellow. Additional monthly funding is available for Fellows with an accompanying spouse. The spouse may accept an offer of employment in Germany, but the Fellow must notify the Foundation about such changes immediately.

May I bring my children?

Yes, children may accompany the Fellow. Additional monthly funding is available for Fellows with accompanying children.

Does the program cover health insurance?

The Robert Bosch Foundation provides the Fellow and his or her accompanying family members with a comprehensive health insurance.