Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) Program
A Fully-Funded U.S. Department of State Scholarship Program in Germany
Are you a motivated, curious, teenage leader looking to study abroad in Germany for one year on a fully funded scholarship? Or maybe you’d like to become fluent in German and experience a different culture through a full immersion experience. If so, CBYX may be the program for you!
Jointly funded by the German Bundestag and the U.S. Congress, the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Program (CBYX) is a full scholarship exchange program that offers young Americans the opportunity to live with a German host family and attend high school in Germany for a year. This program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and administered by CIEE.
CBYX aims to foster cultural understanding and diplomacy while also promoting the German and English languages. Participants are also encouraged to learn about the political systems of their host country.
Important Dates
| Deadline to Apply | November 3, 2025 (11:59 p.m. Pacific Time) |
| Semi-finalists Notified By | December 30, 2025 |
| Semi-finalist Interviews* | January-February 2026 |
| Finalists Announced By | Early-to-mid March 2026 |
| Pre-departure Orientation (Washington DC) | Early August 2026 |
| Language and Cultural Immersion Camp (Germany) | 4 weeks: August - September 2026 |
| Program End Date | Anticipated June 17, 2027 |
*Interviews will be conducted in-person in Atlanta, Dallas, and Denver.
CBYX Program Eligibility
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Have a GPA of 2.5 or higher (on a 4.0 scale)
- Be born between February 1, 2008- August 1, 2011
- Comply with U.S. Department of State eligibility policy for American Outbound Youth Programs (view the policy)
Please note that previous German language experience is not required.
How to Apply to CBYX
- Start an application at www.usagermanyscholarship.org
- Write 5 short (approx. 250 word) essays about what you hope to learn and share during an exchange year, a letter to your prospective host family, and include your school transcript and 2 teacher recommendations
- Be yourself! Academic merit, as well as motivation, curiosity and flexibility are key components to a competitive application.
- Attend webinars this fall to learn more about CBYX and submit your application by November 3, 2025!
CBYX FAQs
Resources
In addition to the frequently asked questions and participants stories below, please read the CBYX Quick Fact Sheet (also available in Spanish). Here you fill find information on scholarship inclusions, program duration, application instructions, and more.
CBYX is the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange.
CBYX is a competitive application and interview process.
The CBYX program runs a full academic year from early August until mid-June. There are no alternative options for a shorter duration program.
CBYX is a fully-funded scholarship sponsored by the Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The scholarship is jointly funded by the German Bundestag and the U.S. Congress. CIEE administers the CBYX program on behalf of the U.S. Department of State.
Beginning in the 2025-2026 program year, all students will receive a $150 per month stipend from the program to assist with covering personal costs. CBYX recommends having $250-$300 available per month of the program. Students are provided with international airfare, travel health insurance, and room and board.
Students need to provide funds for a valid U.S. Passport and German visa, domestic travel to and from Washington DC at the beginning and end of the program, and any additional personal spending money. For individuals who demonstrate financial need, additional financial support is available for these expenses and can be applied for after an individual is informed of their selection for the program.
The program aims to foster cultural understanding and diplomacy, while also promoting German and English languages. As a CBYX scholarship recipient, students will be regarded as a youth ambassador of the United States.
Applications are due on November 3, 2025.
CBYX Participant Blogs
Auf Wiedersehen und Hallo
This week I have been packing my bags and saying my goodbyes. Yesterday I spent my last day at home hanging out with my best friend Caden and my family... keep reading
Sunburned Essays and the Road to Germany
A few days ago, CIEE had a webinar for high school students going on the CBYX program. It was run by our usual CIEE team (the people we’ve been communicating... keep reading
Predeparture: Preparing, Practicing, and Packing
“Hey, would you wanna go to Germany next year!?” -My mom, 2024. Little did I know the impact that simple question would have on me. My name is Ally, and... keep reading
CBYX on Instagram
Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Program (CBYX)
This program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and administered by CIEE.
Please contact us with any questions about this program:
Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Program
CIEE: Council on International Educational Exchange
600 Southborough Drive, Suite 104
South Portland, Maine 04106
1 (800) 448-9944
cb@ciee.org