German Development Institute Managing Global Governance (MGG) Academy 2026 for Emerging Leaders (€2,200 Monthly Allowance)

Applications are now open for the 2026 Managing Global Governance (MGG) Academy, an international leadership and training programme organised by the German Development Institute / Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik (DIE).

The MGG Academy is designed for early- to mid-career professionals who are actively shaping global cooperation, governance, and sustainable development. The programme brings together professionals from government institutions, think tanks, research organisations, civil society, and the private sector across Brazil, China, the European Union, India, Indonesia, Mexico, and South Africa.

Through a combination of academic learning, leadership development, and action-oriented collaboration, the MGG Academy offers a unique opportunity to engage with complex global challenges in a diverse, international learning environment.

Core Focus Areas of the MGG Academy

The programme is built around three central pillars:

• Building a trusted international network of global governance professionals
• Learning from diverse and sometimes contrasting perspectives across regions and sectors
• Developing leadership competencies to navigate transformation and cooperation in complex global contexts

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Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be a national or permanent resident of one of the participating countries:
  Brazil, China, European Union member states, India, Indonesia, Mexico, or South Africa
• Be actively working on issues related to global governance and/or sustainable development
• Hold a university degree (minimum of a Bachelor’s degree)
• Have between 3 and 15 years of relevant professional experience
• Possess a strong command of English, sufficient for active participation in discussions and group work
• Have written support from their employer (required as part of the application)
• Be able to commit to a full-time, intensive programme (8 hours per day, 40 hours per week)
• Demonstrate intercultural sensitivity, openness to teamwork, and adaptability to diverse working methods
• Be willing to engage in self-reflection and peer learning throughout the programme

Benefits and Financial Support

Successful participants will receive comprehensive support, including:

• Free participation in all programme components
• Accommodation throughout all stages of the Academy
• A monthly allowance totalling €2,200 for the duration of the MGG Academy 2026 (paid in three instalments)
• Health, accident, and personal liability insurance
• Monthly public transport ticket
• Coverage of MGG Academy-related travel costs within Germany and Europe

Participants will also benefit from:

• A global learning journey focused on systems thinking
• A dialogue-oriented and interactive learning experience
• Access to a lifelong, transdisciplinary international network of professionals

Application Deadline

9 March 2026

Apply for the German Development Institute Managing Global Governance (MGG) Academy