Our Programs

STEM & Enterprise LAUNCH

Connecting American students and faculty from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), with Germany’s industry, business, research & academic institutions

Connect with Germany

Funding Partner

Students and faculty from Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the United States (HBCUs), have the opportunity to spend up to 14 days in Germany on an immersive study tour that includes meetings with leaders in industry, research, academia, business, and government. Cultural and historical visits complement the program. Students majoring or minoring, as well as faculty teaching, in fields related to science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or business are eligible to apply. This program enables participants to launch their international careers through cultural immersion and professional networking.

A part of Cultural Vistas’ “New Transatlantic Synergies” initiative, this program provides unique career development opportunities, exclusive access, and paves avenues into transatlantic exchange. Each year, 26 students and four faculty are invited to gain insight into career and educational pathways in Germany, network with experts and decision makers, and experience contemporary Germany’s political and social diversity through an expertly curated program.

STEM & Enterprise LAUNCH is supported by the Transatlantic Program of the Federal Republic of Germany, funded by the European Recovery Program (ERP) of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK).

For more information, please contact a Cultural Vistas team member.

Program Details

How To Apply

Applications for the 2025 STEM & Enterprise LAUNCH program will be accepted from HBCU students and faculty in STEM and business fields beginning in September 2024. The selection of the final participants will be concluded in December 2024. Travel dates for the STEM & Enterprise LAUNCH program are in May 2025.

The program itinerary will be tailored according to the professional interests of the final group of participants selected.

Please submit your application via our application portal no later than December 1st, 2024.

Apply Now!

Impressions & Alumni

Alumni Profile

Kaylon Paterson, M.G., M.G.M – Founder and CEO, Paterson Aerospace Systems

“Cultural Vistas has been a tremendous asset to both my academic and professional lives. I became aware of the organization and its programs through STEM LAUNCH in 2015, where my eyes were opened to the possibilities of studying in Germany; a lifelong dream given my passion for space. My two weeks in Germany eventually turned into a year as a CBYX Fellow, allowing me to begin my graduate studies in aerospace engineering and intern as a subcontractor for Airbus. The doors opened by these programs were fundamental to my continued progression as an engineer and eventually, founder of my own space company Paterson Aerospace Systems, Corp.”

Our Hosts

Cultural Vistas would like to extend a special thanks to all of the companies that have hosted our study tour groups since 2013. These include:

Bayer Pharma

Bausch & Lomb

Berlin Mathematical School (BMS)

Biogas Eggertshofen

BioGenes

BMW Group

Charite Teaching Hospital

DFG Research Center MATHEON

Ecologic Institute

European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company (EADS / Airbus)

Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM)

Fraunhofer Berlin Center for Medical Mechatronics

German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)

German Aerospace Center (DLR)

Goethe Institute

Helmholtz Comprehensive Pneumology Center (CPC)

International Placement Services (ZAV) of the Federal Republic of Germany

Leibniz Institut for Freshwater Ecology

LEAD Machine Learning

Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU) Faculty of Biology

Max Planck Institute for Biochemistry

Ottobock Science Center

Siemens

Technical University Munich (TUM) Department of Zoology

Technical University Munich (TUM) Medical Graduate Center

The Innovation and Founding Center Biotechnology (IZB)

U.S. Embassy in Berlin

Discover how an exchange program can connect you with others, increase global skills, and drive positive change in the world.