Internships

The German Historical Institute (GHI) Internship Program gives students of history, political science, public relations, and public administration at German and U.S. universities an opportunity to gain experience at a scholarly research institute. The program is very flexible: the GHI will try to accommodate accepted interns’ interests, abilities, and goals. Students of history and political science can apply for a research-oriented internship, in which they assist current research projects, help with our publications and assist in the preparation and hosting of conferences. They also have the chance to engage with our digital projects and create content for the institute’s academic blogs based on their individual research projects, mentored by the editorial team.

Students of public relations can apply for an internship with our communications and press team, where they can assist in writing communication materials and be involved in the planning of public events. Students in the fields of public administration or public management from Germany are eligible to apply for an internship in the administration of the GHI. These interns will have the chance to gain experience in different fields, such as finances and auditing, human resources (including related legal issues). Ideally, all candidates should have prior experience in the respective fields.

For the on-site internships, a three-month stay is preferred. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. However, for planning purposes we recommend that applicants interested in coming to Washington in 2025 submit their applications by July 31, 2024. Preference is given to applicants who have completed a BA degree or equivalent qualification. Applicants who require a visa must be enrolled at a university at the time of their internship. Candidates who have already completed an internship at the Max Weber Foundation or one of its institutes are not eligible to receive an internship.

German students applying for an internship are strongly advised to familiarize themselves with the American visa requirements beforehand. Information is available on the website of the American Embassy in Berlin. The GHI cooperates with an organization authorized by the State Department to issue the relevant papers to obtain visas. Applicants accepted into the internship program will receive further information on the procedure in their acceptance letters.

Applications should include a cover letter, a CV, a letter of recommendation from a professor or academic advisor, and copies of university degrees/transcripts. Applicants may write in either English or German; we recommend that they use the language in which they are most proficient. Please send applications electronically in one (1) PDF file via email to internships@ghi-dc.org. The letter of recommendation should be sent directly by your academic advisor or professor. For further information please contact Markus Borchertmeyer (borchertmeyer@ghi-dc.org).

Funding


All interns receive a monthly stipend of €520 from the GHI. The institute also covers the cost of applying for the J-1 visa. On-site interns who are registered students at a German university can also apply for an additional grant from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). We also recommend that future interns ask their home institutions for potential internal scholarships as well as Erasmus+ grants. For more information on the DAAD special program "Max Weber Stiftung," please contact Referat 514 (Internationaler Praktikantenaustausch), DAAD Bonn, Tel. +49 (0) 228 882 255, or visit their website at:

Praktika im Ausland 

Kurzstipendien für Praktika

Further Funding opportunities are provided by Erasmus+

Erasmus+