🇮🇹 Academic Service Trainee 🎓 European University Institute (EUI) Internship in Florence, Italy 🏛️ (€1,540/month)

The European University Institute (EUI) in Florence, Italy is looking for a highly motivated Trainee within the Academic Service. It is a paid, 12-month, full-time traineeship with a maintenance grant of €1,540 per month, starting on 1 February 2027, and applications close on 2 November 2026 at 23:59 CET. At Youth Works Hub, we went through vacancy notice TR.ACS.2.2026 and the EUI traineeship rules line by line so you have every detail in one place.

About the European University Institute

The EUI was founded in 1972 and is located in Florence, Italy. It is a treaty-based post-graduate institution dedicated to advanced research and training with a unique European focus, and it describes itself as the leading institute in Europe dedicated to the social sciences and humanities.

The three pillars of its activities are:

🔬 The training of early-stage researchers through excellent research

📑 Policy-relevant research

🎯 The training of current and future policymakers

Committed to global engagement, diversity, inclusiveness and improved accountability, the EUI fosters a collaborative and forward-thinking environment that connects scholars and policymakers worldwide. Every year it publishes a number of traineeship opportunities for motivated talents from various academic and professional backgrounds, in the Library, the ICT Service, the Historical Archives of the European Union, the academic units and the central administration services.

What Does the Academic Service Do?

The Academic Service oversees admissions, registration, academic progress and governance processes for master's students, doctoral and postdoctoral researchers, and fellows at the EUI. The trainee joins this service to contribute to the delivery of key academic processes, which makes the traineeship an excellent opportunity to gain practical experience in higher education administration within an international academic environment.

Traineeship Key Facts

📌 Position: Trainee within the Academic Service

🏷️ Vacancy notice: TR.ACS.2.2026

📍 Location: Florence, Italy

💶 Type: Paid (remunerated) traineeship

⏱️ Duration: 12 months

🕘 Working time: Full time, Monday to Friday, 8 hours per day

🚀 Start date: 1 February 2027

📬 Deadline: 2 November 2026, 23:59 CET

Your Day-to-Day Responsibilities

The trainee supports the Director and Deputy Director of the Academic Service, as well as other members of the service, in day-to-day operations across five areas:

🗓️ Institutional planning: assist in the preparation of the EUI Academic Calendar

🪪 International administrative practices: collaborate with the Admissions and Welcome Office in handling Special ID Cards issued by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for EUI researchers, fellows and Master students, and provide support to the Student Administration team

🤝 Onboarding journey: support the Welcome, Orientation and Induction Programme for newly admitted researchers and fellows

💡 Digital innovation: contribute to the digitalisation of Academic Service processes

🎉 Institutional events: take part in organising the Conferring Ceremony and the September Orientation Programme

The Offices You Will Work Across

The traineeship gives early-career professionals comprehensive hands-on experience in the administrative functions of an international higher education institution. The trainee contributes to the activities of several key areas within the service:

🚪 The Admissions and Welcome Offices

✈️ The International Mobility Office

🗂️ Student Administration and the Registrar's Office

👥 The Scholars' Hub

✅ The Quality Assurance and Recognition Office

This broad exposure provides insight into the full student journey, from admission and enrolment through to graduation and alumni transition.

Skills You Will Build in Higher Education Administration

Working in a dynamic, international and multicultural environment, the trainee will:

🧰 Develop practical expertise in higher education administration

🧩 Strengthen organisational and interpersonal skills

🔎 Gain a thorough understanding of the services that support the student experience

🧭 Build the knowledge, competencies and professional confidence needed for future careers in international academic, educational and administrative settings

Required Experience and Skills

📂 Relevant experience in one or more of the areas listed above

💻 Good knowledge of Microsoft Office packages

🗣️ Proven knowledge of spoken and written English (CEFR level B2 or above)

What Gives You an Edge

🏫 A strong interest in university administration

⚙️ Proven experience and/or knowledge of digitalisation processes

📈 Proven organisational skills, with a strong focus on delivering results and being goal-oriented

🌐 Previous experience in a multicultural or international environment

🇪🇺 Knowledge of additional European Union languages

Competencies Assessed at Interview

Candidates invited for an interview may also be assessed for the competencies all EUI staff share:

⚖️ Ethics and integrity

🌏 Working in a multicultural environment

🧾 Accountability

🏅 Delivering quality and results

And for the competencies related to the Academic Service:

👐 Effective collaboration and teamwork

🚀 Initiative and a proactive approach to tasks

🔐 Accountability and confidentiality

Who Is Eligible? Nationality Conditions

📍 Nationals of the Member States of the European Union

🌍 Nationals of candidate countries benefiting from a pre-accession strategy

🕊️ Ukrainian nationals are also eligible to apply, in accordance with President's Decision no. 67/2025

🔢 A limited number of nationals of non-Member States may be accepted on the basis of a specific agreement of the Secretary General and according to available resources

📋 Under exceptional circumstances, specific traineeships can be made available solely to nationals of specific States, including EU and non-EU States

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Degree and Graduation Rules

🎓 You must have completed the first cycle of university studies and obtained a full degree or its equivalent by the closing date for applications. The minimum national qualifications required by the legislation of the country where the diploma was obtained are listed in the EUI's Annex (linked below).

📅 Your last university diploma must have been obtained no longer than three years before the application deadline.

📖 The three-year rule does not apply to candidates enrolled in further university studies at the moment of their application.

⛔ Applicants who do not meet the conditions should not apply and may not receive any response if they choose to do so.

Language Conditions

🔤 The vacancy notice requires a good knowledge of one of the EUI's official languages and a satisfactory knowledge of another language, taking into account that English, French and Italian are the main working languages at the Institute.

📘 The EUI traineeship page asks for a good knowledge of English (CEFR B2 or above) and a satisfactory knowledge of another EU language to the extent necessary for the duties.

All rules governing the traineeship refer to President's Decision no. 16/2023 and President's Decision no. 67/2025.

Grant and Benefits for the Academic Service Trainee

💶 A maintenance grant of €1,540 per month (as from 1 January 2026)

🧳 Reimbursement of travel expenses incurred at the beginning and end of the traineeship, for trainees recruited outside of Florence

🍽️ A discounted price for one lunch per day at the EUI canteen

📚 Access to EUI facilities: the Library, Reading Rooms and the Centre for Academic Literacies and Languages

🎤 Participation in professional training, public seminars, workshops and extracurricular activities, including wellbeing initiatives

🛠️ The opportunity to apply academic knowledge in a practical work environment, particularly in relevant areas of expertise

🏛️ Experience in an international institution and research university, as part of a vibrant and dynamic multicultural community

🎨 Development of creativity and innovation skills

⏰ Improvement of organisational and time management skills

💬 Enhancement of language skills, interpersonal communication and intercultural teamwork abilities

Health Insurance and Accident Cover

🩺 Health insurance is obligatory and can be obtained, upon request, through the Institute.

🛡️ Trainees are, by default, covered against the risk of accident by the collective policy the Institute has taken out with Cigna Life Insurance Company NV / Cigna International Health Services BVBA (Policy Nr. 910.K88).

Rules for Non-EU/EEA Trainees in Italy

The EUI gives the following notice for information purposes only; it does not replace the relevant Italian legislation.

🕐 Under current Italian legislation (D.Lgs. 286/1998 and DPR 394/1999), non-EU/EEA trainees are eligible for a part-time traineeship of 20 hours per week.

💳 An engagement of 20 hours per week corresponds to an EUI grant of €770 per month (as from 1 January 2026).

🛂 Trainees must comply with Italian regulations on residence and visa obligations and must hold all documentation at the date of the beginning of the traineeship (Article 6(3) of President's Decision no. 16/2023).

📄 Exceptions might be possible for international protection seekers (D.Lgs. 142/2015).

☎️ The EUI strongly recommends contacting the Italian authorities for any information related to these requirements.

How EUI Traineeships Are Structured

The EUI offers two types of traineeship, and this Academic Service call is the paid one.

🅰️ Paid traineeship: maximum duration of one year; in justified cases, shorter traineeships may be granted with a minimum of 3 months.

🅱️ Unpaid traineeship: up to a maximum of 3 months, for candidates currently enrolled in a recognised university degree programme, subject to an inter-institutional agreement between the home university or organisation and the EUI. These trainees may receive a grant from their home institution as defined by that agreement.

📆 EUI traineeships should start on the 1st day of February, April, June, September or November.

The complete provisions governing traineeships at the EUI are set out in President's Decision no. 16/2023. To see how this kind of funded placement compares with other options, read our guide on how funded traineeships abroad really work.

How to Apply

🖊️ Fill in the online application form; only applications submitted through this form are accepted.

📎 Upload the requested documents: your CV and your ID/Passport.

📧 Your application is considered successfully submitted once you receive an automatic email confirmation.

🛠️ If you have difficulties submitting your application, write to the EUI traineeships email address.

Selection Process and Interviews

📞 Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview.

📨 Only candidates invited for interviews will receive information from the EUI on the selection status.

⌛ If you have not heard from the EUI within 3 months after applying, you can assume your application has not been successful on that occasion.

🔁 You are welcome to apply for any other future vacancy of interest, and you can also submit a spontaneous application for a traineeship through a separate EUI form.

Equal Opportunities and Personal Data

🙌 The traineeship is open to all eligible candidates without discrimination on any grounds, such as sex, gender, race, colour, ethnic or social origin, religion or belief, membership of a national minority, disability, age or sexual orientation.

🔒 Personal data is processed in accordance with the EUI's Data Protection Policy (President's Decision no. 10/2019) and the Privacy Statement for Trainees Selection and Recruitment Procedures.

Discover more paid placements in the internship listings on Youth Works Hub.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the EUI Academic Service Trainee receive?

The trainee receives a maintenance grant of €1,540 per month as from 1 January 2026. Non-EU/EEA trainees on the 20-hour part-time arrangement required by Italian law receive €770 per month.

When does the Academic Service traineeship start and how long is it?

It starts on 1 February 2027 and lasts 12 months. It is full time, Monday to Friday, 8 hours per day.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2 November 2026 at 23:59 CET. Only applications sent through the online application form are accepted.

Which nationalities can apply?

Nationals of EU Member States and of candidate countries benefiting from a pre-accession strategy can apply, and Ukrainian nationals are also eligible. A limited number of nationals of non-Member States may be accepted on the basis of a specific agreement.

What will the trainee actually work on?

The trainee supports the Academic Calendar, Special ID Cards for researchers and students, the Welcome, Orientation and Induction Programme, the digitalisation of processes, and events such as the Conferring Ceremony. The role touches admissions, mobility, student administration, the Scholars' Hub and quality assurance.

Which documents do I upload?

You upload your CV and your ID or passport through the online application form. The application counts as submitted once you receive the automatic confirmation email.

What English level is required?

The vacancy asks for proven knowledge of spoken and written English at CEFR level B2 or above. You also need a satisfactory knowledge of another language, with English, French and Italian as the main working languages.

Can I apply if I graduated more than three years ago?

Your last university diploma must have been obtained no longer than three years before the deadline. This rule does not apply if you are enrolled in further university studies when you apply.

Does the EUI cover travel to Florence?

Yes, trainees recruited outside of Florence are reimbursed for travel expenses incurred at the beginning and end of the traineeship. Health insurance is obligatory and can be obtained through the Institute on request.