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Meet! – Mercator Europe Tour 2026
Fully funded European tour for young adults from North Rhine-Westphalia. Applications accepted from 03/01/2026 to 04/12/2026.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
The meet!–Mercator Europe Tour offers 20 committed young people from NRW a fully funded insight into the diversity of Europe and supports them in their first international steps through seminars, internships, and workshops between June and September 2026.
Eligible expenses
- Travel expenses
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Insurance
- Program fees
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Eligible to apply
- Individuals
Funding requirements
- Residence or origin in North Rhine-Westphalia
- German or EU citizenship or unrestricted travel permit within the Schengen area
- Completed high school diploma or technical high school diploma at program start
- Legal age (at least 18 years old on 09.06.2026)
- No previous participation in a longer exchange program
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Documents required for application
- High school diploma or specialized high school diploma
- Motivation letter (max. 2 pages) or video (max. 5 min.)
Evaluation criteria
- Motivation
- First-generation academic status
- Diverse life experiences
Description
The meet!–Mercator Europe Tour 2026 is aimed at 20 committed young adults from North Rhine-Westphalia who wish to gain cross-border experiences for the first time after completing their Abitur or Fachabitur. Over the course of four months, from June to September 2026, the fully funded program offers insights into the cultural, political, and civil society diversity of Europe. Participants take part in three short seminar and workshop modules – the so-called meet! moments – in various European cities, complete internships at international organizations, and conclude the program with a joint workshop in Essen. The scholarship covers travel expenses, accommodation, meals, insurance, program fees, as well as pocket money 100%, enabling young people to acquire valuable skills for their studies and careers and to expand their intercultural network.
Eligible applicants are private individuals residing in or originating from North Rhine-Westphalia, holding German or EU citizenship or unrestricted travel permission within the Schengen area, who are at least 18 years old at the program start, have completed their (Fach-)Abitur, and have never participated in a longer exchange program. Applications from first-generation academics, people with chronic illnesses, refugee or migration backgrounds, as well as those with experiences of discrimination, are especially welcome. Selection is based on motivation, first-generation academic status, and diverse life experiences. Interested parties can apply online from March 1 to April 12, 2026 (midnight), submitting their Abitur certificate and a motivation letter (max. 2 pages) or a short video (max. 5 minutes). This program offers the ideal entry into international cooperation and promotes social cohesion in Europe.
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