At Youth Works Hub, we went through the Committee of the Regions' traineeship call so you know exactly what the Cicero programme offers, when the application window closes, and the creative project work that sets it apart before the 1 October 2026 deadline. As a CoR trainee, you witness first-hand the dynamics of a multilingual, multinational institution, work across a wide range of EU policy aspects, and even create an event of your own.

What the Cicero Traineeship Is

🏛️ It's a five-month, full-time (40 hours/week) paid traineeship in Brussels, giving a limited number of young graduates the chance to gain work experience in a European institution.

🎨 Through the unique YFactor scheme, trainees carry out project work on issues relevant to European regions and cities, whether a conference, a podcast or an eBook, so your creativity is genuinely challenged and encouraged.

🗂️ You get your preferred choice between three of the CoR's departments.

What You Get

💶 A monthly grant (the call states approximately €1,493–1,538/month across its sections), plus a travel and mobility allowance.

🛡️ Accident insurance is included, and health insurance cover is optional.

🗺️ Interested in EU project work elsewhere? Take a look at Supporting European Project Management, an ESC project in 🇵🇹 Portugal → https://youthworkshub.org/20991

Who Can Apply

🇪🇺 EU citizens. Third-country citizens (including the UK) can also apply and may be selected only in exceptional cases, notably if their profile is of particular interest to the CoR and they meet Belgian immigration and work requirements.

🎓 University graduates who hold a full undergraduate degree, or have completed at least the third year of higher education, by the application closing date.

🗣️ Fluency in one EU language with satisfactory knowledge of English or French.

🚫 Anyone who has already had more than eight weeks of in-house placement (paid or unpaid) in a European institution, body, delegation or representative office, or any employment in one, is not accepted.

💼 Want the bigger picture on funded placements abroad? Read Paid Internships Abroad for Students → https://youthworkshub.org/paid-internships-abroad

The Calendar

🌱 Spring session: 16 February to 15 July, with applications from 1 July to 1 October (12:00 Brussels time) of the previous year, pre-selection and interviews in November, and selection in December.

🍂 Autumn session: 16 September to 15 February, with applications from 6 January to 31 March (12:00 Brussels time) of the same year, pre-selection and interviews in May, and selection in June.

📌 The current open window is for the Spring 2027 session, closing 1 October 2026 at 12:00 CEST. The CoR warns against applying close to the deadline because of high traffic, and no late or non-electronic applications are accepted.

How to Apply

📎 Apply online only, choosing up to three preferred CoR departments, filling in the mandatory fields with correct information, and checking before you submit (you can still make changes before the deadline, and only one application per traineeship period is allowed).

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is it paid? Yes, by a monthly grant (approximately €1,493–1,538/month per the call), plus a travel and mobility allowance and accident insurance.

❓ Who can apply? EU citizens with at least a completed third year of higher education; third-country nationals only in exceptional cases.

❓ What's the YFactor? A scheme where trainees create their own project, such as a conference, podcast or eBook.

❓ Which session is open now? Spring 2027 (16 February to 15 July 2027), with applications closing 1 October 2026 at 12:00 CEST.

Deadline

⏳ 01 October 2026, 12:00 CEST

Links

🔗 Apply here: https://candform.cor.europa.eu/

🔗 More information: https://www.cor.europa.eu/en/about/work-us/traineeships

You'll find more EU institution opportunities, explained in plain language, on Youth Works Hub.

⚠️ Important Notice

Youth Works Hub is not the organiser, partner, or representative of the listed projects. This listing is shared for information only, based on details from the source. Deadlines, eligible countries, dates, and other details may change or be withdrawn at any time, and all funding, reimbursements, and allowances are set by the project coordinator or National Agency. Applications go directly to the coordinator or hosting organisation through the official link. Listings may include third-party links (ESC Portal, infopacks, forms) that Youth Works Hub does not control. Always verify the details on the official project page before applying