Since 2002, the Transatlantic Outreach Program (TOP) has offered fully funded professional development study tours to Germany for social studies and STEM educators from the United States and Canada.
The purpose of the TOP study tours is to offer educators a multi-faceted understanding of important issues in contemporary Germany and the European Union and to equip them with information, resources, and networks that they can use in their instruction to increase their students' global competency. If you want to take part in meaningful professional development and have an adventurous international experience with other passionate and inquisitive educators, we invite you to apply!
TOP study tours are typically two weeks in length. Successful applicants will begin their TOP study tour experience by attending pre-departure webinars before traveling with the group to Germany. Groups usually stay in two to three German cities (both small and large) and visit schools, businesses, government offices, non-profits and civic organizations, historical sites, museums, etc.
Please note that TOP study tours are fast-paced and often physically demanding! The majority of participants' time in Germany is scheduled as a group within the context of a comprehensive daily program, starting early in the morning and concluding late in the evening. Participants travel and learn together in groups of 12-15 educators who come from all over the United States and Canada, bringing a variety of different backgrounds, perspectives, and areas of focus to the experience. TOP study tours are not ideal for those who typically benefit the most from solo, unscheduled travel.
TOP seeks to create diverse – and therefore multifaceted and inspiring – travel groups and we welcome and encourage social studies and STEM educators from all communities to apply! Knowledge of the German language is not a requirement; all study tour events will take place in or be translated to English.
Over 1,900 social studies and STEM educators have traveled to Germany with TOP since 2002.
Eligibility requirements:
- Applicants must be employed full-time as an educator of social studies or STEM subjects in the Unites States or Canada.
- Applicants must submit a letter from their supervisor confirming their employment status as a full-time social studies or STEM educator in good standing.
- Eligible educator roles include classroom teachers (grades K-12), general education/elementary educators, university methods professors, curriculum coordinators, and administrators.
- Applicants who feel they qualify as a social studies or STEM educator but do not fall within the aforementioned eligible roles should contact TOP directly.
- Instructional coaches, librarians, teaching assistants, part-time teachers, or teachers of subjects other than social studies and STEM are not eligible to apply at this time.
- TOP Alumni are not eligible to re-apply.
The deadline to apply for a 2025 TOP study tour to Germany is February 1, 2025.
The TOP study tours are scheduled to take place during the following dates:
STEM: 14 June – 28 June, 2025
Social Studies: 5 July - 19 July, 2025
Note: TOP study tours are subject to 2025 budget approval and safe travel conditions for participants, hosts, and employees.
To apply for a TOP Study Tour, select the link at the top of the page or below this section. A new browser window/tab will take you to the Goethe-Institut Application Portal (GAP) landing page. You may also need to select English as the display language at the top right corner.
You will then need to follow these steps carefully:
- If you have never used the GAP before, you will need to first create an account.
- Once your account is created, verified, and you are logged into your GAP account: click the "New Application" tab.
- Select "TOP - Transatlantic Outreach Program" from the list of funding areas.
- Finally select "social studies" or "STEM" application under "Funding Type." (make sure you select the 2025 application)
At this point you are ready to begin your application. You can move through the application using the “back, save, and save & next” buttons at the bottom of each page, or you can click on each section in the navigation tree on the left. As you complete each section, they will be checked off in the navigation tree. You can save your progress and come back to the application at any time before the deadline by logging into your account and clicking the “My Applications” tab. There you can choose to edit, delete, or print your application.
You cannot submit your application until all sections of the application are complete. On the last “Save and Send” page, the system will list which sections still need to be completed and the "Send" button will not be displayed until the application is complete. Once all sections are complete and the Employment Verification Letter has been submitted by your direct supervisor, you will be able to submit (send) the application.
Once your application has been submitted, we recommend saving a PDF version for your records.
