Internship
The European Security and Defence College (ESDC) has opened applications for its 2027 internship programme, offering students the opportunity to gain practical experience within an EU institutional environment in Brussels, Belgium. The programme provides two internship periods in 2027 and is designed for students pursuing relevant bachelor’s or master’s degree programmes who want practical exposure to the European Union’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) and the wider Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP). Selected interns will receive a monthly allowance of EUR 1,500, while eligible expenses for occasional duty trips outside Brussels may also be reimbursed.
Eligibility: Are nationals of an EU Member State. Are currently enrolled in a bachelor’s, master’s or equivalent degree programme.
A quick overview based on the listing. Review the full details below before applying.
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The European Security and Defence College (ESDC) has opened applications for its 2027 internship programme, offering students the opportunity to gain practical experience within an EU institutional environment in Brussels, Belgium. The programme provides two internship periods in 2027 and is designed for students pursuing relevant bachelor’s or master’s degree programmes who want practical exposure to the European Union’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) and the wider Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP).
Selected interns will receive a monthly allowance of EUR 1,500, while eligible expenses for occasional duty trips outside Brussels may also be reimbursed. Applications must be submitted by 12:00 CET on 14 October 2026.
The ESDC is a European Union institution focused on education and training in the area of the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy within the broader framework of the Common Foreign and Security Policy.
According to the official 2027 internship call, the programme is intended to give students an opportunity to work directly with the ESDC and contribute to the organisation and implementation of its activities. Through this practical experience, interns can develop a stronger understanding of CSDP and CFSP while applying knowledge gained through their academic studies.
The ESDC operates as a network that brings together civilian and military institutes, universities, academies and other organisations working in the fields of security and defence. Its activities therefore provide interns with exposure to a broad institutional and international environment.
The ESDC works under the overall responsibility of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, while the European External Action Service (EEAS) supports the High Representative in carrying out responsibilities relating to the EU’s foreign and security policy.
For students interested in international relations, diplomacy, security studies, defence policy, European affairs and related disciplines, the internship provides an opportunity to gain experience in an environment directly connected to these areas.
Target applicants: Students currently enrolled in relevant bachelor’s or master’s degree programmes
Working languages: English or French, with knowledge of another language considered an asset
Applicants can apply for one of the two internship periods announced for 2027.
Applicants are required to indicate their preferred or available internship period as part of their application.
The ESDC also indicates that a third internship period, running from 1 September to 31 December 2027, is expected to be published in March 2027. This third period is therefore not part of the current application call.
The internship is designed to provide practical experience rather than purely academic exposure. Successful candidates will support the ESDC Secretariat and contribute to a range of activities associated with security and defence policy training and education.
The official call identifies several responsibilities that interns may undertake.
Interns will assist with the preparation, implementation and post-processing of ESDC courses, seminars and conferences.
These activities may take place in Brussels or abroad and focus on CSDP and the broader CFSP framework.
This means interns can gain exposure to the planning and delivery of institutional events involving stakeholders working in European security and defence.
This responsibility can provide useful experience in policy research, institutional writing, briefing preparation and information management.
Interns will provide logistical and administrative assistance for meetings involving ESDC bodies, topic-focused configurations and ESDC stakeholders.
This aspect of the internship can be particularly relevant to students interested in diplomacy, international organisations, public administration, foreign affairs and policy coordination.
The ESDC also expects interns to support the revision of its eLearning modules.
This could expose interns to institutional digital learning content, training development and the review of educational materials.
Interns may assist in maintaining the ESDC’s annual training and course catalogue.
This involves supporting the organisation and management of information relating to the College’s training activities.
Interns may also support the drafting of the ESDC Annual Report.
This can provide practical exposure to institutional reporting, information gathering, drafting and documentation.
Another important responsibility involves supporting the ESDC Secretariat’s internal Lessons Identified / Lessons Learnt and knowledge-management processes.
This component can give interns insight into how international institutions capture experience, document lessons and use organisational knowledge to improve future activities.
The internship also includes communication-related responsibilities.
This makes the opportunity potentially relevant not only to security and international-relations students, but also to students whose academic backgrounds combine international affairs with communications, public information, digital media or related fields, provided their programme is considered relevant to ESDC activities.
The ESDC has established specific eligibility requirements.
Applicants must meet all applicable eligibility criteria outlined in the official call.
Applicants must be nationals of a Member State of the European Union.
This is an important requirement for prospective applicants from outside the European Union. The official call does not establish general eligibility for nationals of non-EU countries.
Therefore, applicants from African, Asian, American, Middle Eastern or other non-EU countries would not meet the stated nationality requirement unless they are also nationals of an EU Member State.
Candidates must currently be enrolled at an academic institution or university with a view to obtaining a:
Bachelor’s degree;
Equivalent qualification.
Their field of study must be relevant to the activities of the ESDC.
The internship is therefore aimed primarily at currently enrolled students, rather than applicants who have already completed their studies and are no longer enrolled.
Applicants must remain enrolled at their academic institution or university for the entire duration of the internship.
This means applicants should carefully consider their expected graduation date before applying.
A student whose enrolment ends before the completion of the selected internship period may not satisfy this requirement.
Candidates must have insurance covering sickness and accidents for the entire duration of the internship.
Applicants should therefore ensure that appropriate coverage will be available throughout their selected internship period.
Applicants must have a thorough knowledge of at least one EU working language: English or French.
Knowledge of another language is considered an additional asset.
The official call does not provide an exhaustive list of qualifying degree programmes. Instead, it requires candidates to be enrolled in a field relevant to ESDC activities.
Given the College’s mandate and the responsibilities listed in the internship call, potentially relevant academic areas may include fields connected to:
Applicants should rely on the ESDC’s official assessment of whether their particular academic profile is relevant rather than assuming that a specific degree automatically qualifies.
Meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not necessarily guarantee selection.
The ESDC states that applicants will be assessed based on several qualifications, including:
This means applicants should present their academic and professional background clearly and demonstrate how their studies and experience relate to the work of the ESDC.
Students with relevant international exposure, academic projects, internships, research activities or work experience may wish to make those aspects clear in their application where applicable.
One of the most significant features of the programme is the financial allowance.
Selected interns will receive a monthly allowance of EUR 1,500.
The call also explains how the allowance interacts with certain external grants.
For example, if an intern receives a grant such as an Erasmus+ grant, the ESDC will reimburse the difference up to the EUR 1,500 monthly amount.
Interns may participate in ESDC duty trips outside Brussels, subject to budget availability.
The ESDC states that interns will be reimbursed for expenses associated with occasional duty trips outside Brussels.
This provides an additional opportunity for selected interns to gain exposure to ESDC activities beyond the institution’s Brussels base.
Interns will be placed under the responsibility of a mentor.
They are expected to follow instructions provided by their mentors and ESDC superiors and maintain high standards of:
Interns are also required to keep a careful record of their activities and submit a report to their mentor at the end of the internship.
After completing the internship, the ESDC will provide a certificate confirming the internship.
Interns will work the same working hours as ESDC staff and will have the same official public holidays as ESDC employees.
They are also entitled to two working days of leave per month.
These provisions provide applicants with a clearer understanding of the institutional nature of the internship and the expectations associated with participating in the programme.
The ESDC states that it is committed to an equal-opportunities policy for its staff and applicants.
Promoting gender equality;
Preventing discrimination on any grounds;
Maintaining the broadest possible geographical representation among EU Member States.
Candidates with disabilities may request assistance or reasonable accommodation during the selection process.
The official call instructs candidates requiring accommodation to contact the ESDC vacancies address so that appropriate support can be considered.
The documents must be submitted in English or French and should be provided in PDF or Word format.
The ESDC specifically requests applicants to use the European CV format.
Applicants should therefore ensure that their CV clearly communicates their academic background, relevant experience, international exposure, language abilities and other information relevant to the internship.
Applications must be submitted by email only.
The application process involves screening applications against the internship requirements. The most suitable candidates may subsequently be invited to an interview by the ESDC.
Indicate their availability for the internship period.
Identify a point of contact or supervisor at their academic institution or university.
Submit all required documents.
Ensure that the application is complete.
Submit the application before the specified deadline.
The ESDC explicitly states that incomplete applications will not be considered.
Applicants should not wait until the final hours to submit their documents because applications must be complete and sent through the specified email channel.
The official ESDC webpage and internship call both confirm the 14 October 2026, 12:00 CET deadline.
Before submitting an application, prospective candidates should verify that they satisfy the core requirements.
Are nationals of an EU Member State.
Are currently enrolled in a bachelor’s, master’s or equivalent degree programme.
Are studying a field relevant to ESDC activities.
Will remain enrolled throughout the entire internship.
Have sickness and accident insurance covering the entire internship.
Have a thorough knowledge of English or French.
Can provide a CV in the requested European format.
Can prepare a motivation letter in English or French.
Can identify an academic institution/university contact or supervisor.
Can commit to one of the announced internship periods.
Can submit a complete application before the deadline.
The ESDC internship combines academic learning with practical institutional work in an area closely connected to European and international security policy.
The combination of these functions can provide a broad institutional perspective for students whose studies are connected to international affairs and related disciplines.
Visit HERE for more information about the ESDC Internship 2027 in Brussels, Belgium.
Be currently enrolled at an academic institution or university;
Be pursuing a bachelor’s, master’s or equivalent degree;
Remain enrolled for the entire duration of the internship.
The opportunity is restricted to nationals of European Union Member States.
Therefore, nationality is a significant eligibility condition. Being a student at a European university by itself does not satisfy the stated nationality requirement.
Applicants from non-EU countries who do not also hold nationality of an EU Member State are not eligible under the nationality criterion in this particular call.
The ESDC Internship 2027 provides eligible students with an opportunity to gain practical experience within a European Union institutional environment focused on security and defence policy. Based in Brussels, Belgium, the programme offers two internship periods in 2027 and includes a EUR 1,500 monthly allowance.
The internship involves a broad range of activities, including supporting courses and conferences, preparing briefing materials and reports, assisting with meetings, contributing to eLearning and knowledge-management activities, supporting the annual report and drafting social media content.
The opportunity is particularly relevant to students whose academic studies connect with international relations, security and defence, European affairs, diplomacy, foreign policy, public policy and related areas. However, applicants must carefully note the nationality requirement: candidates must be nationals of an EU Member State, must remain enrolled in their academic programme throughout the internship and must satisfy the language, insurance and other eligibility requirements.
Applications must include a CV and motivation letter in English or French and must be submitted by email to the ESDC vacancies address. The final deadline is 12:00 CET on 14 October 2026.
For more Internship opportunities, visit OFY HERE.
Are nationals of an EU Member State. Are currently enrolled in a bachelor’s, master’s or equivalent degree programme.
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