The European Space Agency (ESA) is offering an internship in its Contracts Department at ESRIN in Frascati, Italy, split into two equal periods in two contracts divisions. Applications close on 30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET/CEST, and university students from ESA's listed nationalities can apply. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the full vacancy and set out every task and requirement below.
The Internship at a Glance
The internship sits in ESA's Controlling, Finance and Operational Procurement Directorate. These are the formal details of the vacancy:
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 21099
🎓 Type of appointment: Intern
🏛️ Directorate: Controlling, Finance and Operational Procurement
🏢 Department: Contracts Department
📍 Workplace: Frascati, IT
🗺️ Location: ESRIN, Frascati, Italy
📣 Publication method: External Only
📅 Closing date: 30 November 2026, 23:59 CET/CEST
Where You Will Be Based: ESRIN, Frascati
The internship is located at ESRIN, ESA's Earth Observation Centre in Frascati, near Rome in Italy. The vacancy lists Frascati, IT as the workplace.
One Internship, Two Contracts Divisions
Your internship will be split into two equal periods in two separate contracts divisions of ESA's Contracts Department:
🚀 half the duration of your internship within the Space Transportation Contracts Division (CFO-CL)
📡 half the duration of your internship within the Operations & Ground Segment Contracts Division (CFO-CO)
This experience in two different contracts divisions will allow you to maximise your experience of ESA's procurement process and contract management in a large variety of space (launchers, Earth Observation) and non-space (IT, facility management, communication) domains.
First Half: The Space Transportation Contracts Division (CFO-CL)
The Space Transportation Contracts Division is composed of 11 professionals of various backgrounds and nationalities, located both in Paris (France) and in Rome (Italy).
Its mission is to provide support to the Space Transportation Directorate with regard to the procurement process related to launchers in the European Space Agency. In particular, the division is involved in:
🧭 procurement strategy definition
📝 preparation of internal decision documents related to procurement
📤 preparation and release of Invitation to Tender, Request for Quotation and Call for Proposals
🔍 evaluation of proposals
🤝 preparation and negotiation of contracts and contractual amendments
The Four Teams of the Space Transportation Contracts Division
The division's work is organised in four teams reporting to the Head of Division according to the main areas of responsibility.
In ESA HQ Daumesnil, Paris, France:
🛫 Ariane 6 Team
🏗️ Space Transportation Ground Infrastructure Team
🔭 Future Space Transportation Developments Team
In ESRIN, Frascati, Italy:
🚀 VEGA/Space Rider Team
For half the duration of your internship, you will be part of the Space Transportation Contracts Division (CFO-CL) with an organisational reporting line to the Team Leader in ESRIN.
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Second Half: The Operations & Ground Segment Contracts Division (CFO-CO)
The Operations & Ground Segment Contracts Division is composed of 21 professionals, located at ESRIN (the Agency's Earth Observation Centre) in Frascati, near Rome (Italy), and at ESOC (European Space Operations Centre) in Darmstadt, near Frankfurt (Germany).
The Division is specialised in the placing and monitoring of large service contracts with the European space industry for ground segment activities and operations of a variety of ESA and third-party space missions, as well as for general activities, especially in the IT domain for the whole Agency.
The Two Contract Services Inside the Division
The Division is split into two contract services.
The ESRIN Contracts Service (CFO-COE) focuses on space activities at the Agency's Earth Observation Centre in Frascati (Italy), which include in particular:
🌐 developing and maintaining Earth observation ground segments
🛰️ distributing Earth observation data from satellites
The ESOC Contracts Service (CIC-COM) supports activities at the Agency's European Space Operations Centre. Its work covers:
🛡️ the Space Safety Programme (S2P)
⚙️ contractual actions for the Mission Operations Department and the Ground Systems Engineering and Innovation Department
🧾 general procurement at ESOC
In particular, it places and manages contracts for flight operations and for the development and maintenance of the Agency's worldwide network of space antennas, which connect satellites in orbit with ESOC.
During half the duration of your internship, you will be part of the Operations & Ground Segment Contracts Division (CFO-CO) with an organisational reporting line to the head of the CFO-COE Contracts Service in ESRIN. Interested candidates are encouraged to visit the ESA website, which is listed in the Links section below.
Your Field of Activity: Analysing Procurement and Contractual Texts
You will be requested to provide analysis of several procurement or contractual texts, including the ESA General Contractual Clauses and Conditions. This means:
⚖️ legal analysis of ESA specific regimes (Intellectual Property Rights, disclosure, Personal Data Protection, liability, export control and others) and their implementation in the ESA General Clauses and Conditions
🔀 a specific focus on the differences between General Procurement contracts, Express Procurement contracts and Manpower and Service contracts, in the frame of the Contracting Regulations
Hands-On Procurement Experience in the Space Sector
You will obtain hands-on procurement experience in the space sector, while getting used to the ESA procurement process through involvement in practical procurement cases, under the supervision of Contracts Officers from the two Divisions.
Behavioural Competencies
The vacancy lists six behavioural competencies:
🎯 Result Orientation
⚡ Operational Efficiency
🤲 Fostering Cooperation
💬 Relationship Management
♻️ Continuous Improvement
🔮 Forward Thinking
For more information, the vacancy refers to the ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook.
Education: Who Can Apply
You must be a university student, preferably in your final or second-to-last year of university course at Master's level. In addition, you must be able to prove that you will be enrolled at your university for the entire duration of the internship.
Language Requirements
The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another ESA Member State language is an asset.
Additional Requirements
During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored. The vacancy asks for:
🗣️ excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
🌐 ability to interact with multiple international actors and to work collaboratively in a team to achieve organisational goals
🔒 discretion and integrity
What Counts as an Asset
The following would be considered assets:
🪐 knowledge and background in space domain/technology
📚 a good knowledge of contract, procurement or international business law, intellectual property law
🎓 a background in law, economics
Nationality Requirements
Applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
Applicants from Canada as a Cooperating State can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia and Malta as European Cooperating States (ECS).
The Selection Process
During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored.
How Long the Internship Lasts and When It Starts
According to ESA's announcement of its 2027 student internships, an internship lasts between 3 and 6 months and starts from February 2027. The exact start date is agreed with the ESA tutor.
Application Limit
According to ESA's announcement of its 2027 student internships, one candidate can apply for a maximum of 2 vacancies.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness
ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. It welcomes applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics.
At the Agency, diversity is valued and people with disabilities are welcome. Whenever possible, ESA seeks to accommodate individuals with disabilities by providing the necessary support at the workplace. The Human Resources Department can also provide assistance during the recruitment process, and you can contact ESA by email using the address in the Links section below.
Important Information
The information published on ESA's careers website regarding internship conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have. You can find more opportunities like this in the internships and traineeships section of Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the ESA Contracts Department internship based?
The internship is based at ESRIN in Frascati, Italy, within ESA's Controlling, Finance and Operational Procurement Directorate. The vacancy lists Frascati, IT as the workplace.
What is the deadline to apply?
The closing date is 30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET/CEST. Applications are submitted through the ESA careers website.
How is the internship split between the two divisions?
The internship is split into two equal periods. You spend half of its duration in the Space Transportation Contracts Division (CFO-CL) and half in the Operations & Ground Segment Contracts Division (CFO-CO).
What will I work on during the internship?
You will analyse several procurement or contractual texts, including the ESA General Contractual Clauses and Conditions, with a focus on ESA specific regimes such as Intellectual Property Rights, disclosure, Personal Data Protection, liability and export control. You will also gain hands-on experience in practical procurement cases under the supervision of Contracts Officers from the two Divisions.
Who can apply for this internship?
You must be a university student, preferably in your final or second-to-last year of university course at Master's level. You must also be able to prove that you will be enrolled at your university for the entire duration of the internship.
Which nationalities are eligible?
Applications are only considered from nationals of ESA's listed States, which include Italy, Germany, France, Spain, the United Kingdom and 22 others named in the vacancy. Applicants from Canada as a Cooperating State, and from Bulgaria, Croatia and Malta as European Cooperating States, can apply as well.
How long does the internship last and when does it start?
According to ESA's 2027 student internships announcement, an internship lasts between 3 and 6 months and starts from February 2027. The exact start date is agreed with the ESA tutor.
Which languages do I need?
The working languages of the Agency are English and French, and a good knowledge of one of them is required. Knowledge of another ESA Member State language is an asset.
Do I need a law background?
The vacancy lists a background in law or economics, and a good knowledge of contract, procurement or international business law and intellectual property law, as assets. Knowledge and background in the space domain or technology is also an asset.
How many ESA internship vacancies can I apply for?
One candidate can apply for a maximum of 2 vacancies, according to ESA's announcement of its 2027 student internships.
Does the vacancy mention a stipend?
The vacancy page does not state a stipend or allowance.
What happens during the selection process?
Your motivation for applying to the role will be explored during the interview. ESA may also ask applicants to undergo selection tests.
Deadline
⏳ 30 November 2026
Links
🔗 Full vacancy and application (Apply now): https://jobs.esa.int/job/Frascati-Intern-in-the-Contracts-Department/1452986633/
📘 ESA Student Internships 2027 announcement: https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Careers_at_ESA/ESA_Student_Internships_2027_are_now_open
🌐 ESA website: https://www.esa.int
📧 ESA student internships contact (diversity and accessibility questions): ESA.Student.Internships@esa.int
