The European Space Agency (ESA) is offering an internship in the Ventures and Finance Office of its Commercialisation Department at ESA Headquarters in Paris, France. You choose one of three topics: process automation and digital tools, communication and relationship with industry, or space market research and business analysis, and applications close on 30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET/CEST. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the full vacancy and set out every task, requirement and eligibility rule below.
The Internship at a Glance
The internship sits within ESA's Commercialisation and Industry Partnership directorate. These are the formal details of the vacancy:
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 20983
🎓 Type of appointment: Intern
🏛️ Directorate: Commercialisation and Industry Partnership
📍 Workplace: Paris, FR
🗺️ Location: ESA Headquarters, Paris, France
📣 Publication method: External Only
📅 Closing date: 30 November 2026, 23:59 CET/CEST
Where You Will Be Based: ESA Headquarters, Paris
The internship is located at ESA Headquarters in Paris, France. The vacancy lists Paris, FR as the workplace for the role within the Commercialisation and Industry Partnership directorate.
Our Team and Mission: The Access to Finance, Ventures and Analytics Office
The Access to Finance, Ventures and Analytics Office is responsible for developing measures to encourage, assist and ease access to finance for space entities and commercial projects, including support to venture capital investment and support to secure debt or loans.
In addition, the office provides expertise in business analytics and automation, supporting both the operation and impact assessment of the CIP programmes and support schemes (including financing activities). It also contributes to the development of a comprehensive and effective commercial and institutional market intelligence, making full use of and coordinating with relevant areas across ESA.
Choose Your Topic: Three Fields of Activity
You can choose among three topics for the internship. Each one has its own set of tasks, described in the sections below:
⚙️ Topic 1: Process Automation and Digital Tools
🤝 Topic 2: Communication and Relationship with Industry
📊 Topic 3: Space Market Research and Business Analysis
Topic 1: Process Automation and Digital Tools
If you choose Topic 1, the vacancy lists the following tasks:
🔍 Identify opportunities to automate repetitive or manual processes within market research, financial assessments, and application tracking
🛠️ Contribute to the design and development of simple internal tools (e.g., dashboards, templates, or scripts) to streamline data analysis and reporting
🗃️ Support integration and upkeep of document repositories, or shared databases used in engagement and tracking efforts
🧪 Work with the team to pilot and evaluate automation tools to enhance operational efficiency
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Topic 2: Communication and Relationship with Industry
If you choose Topic 2, the vacancy lists the following tasks:
🙋 Provide hands-on support to companies during their application process, offering clear guidance and responsive assistance
✍️ Collaborate with internal teams to create effective marketing materials, case studies, and outreach content tailored to different industry segments
🎤 Assist in organising and supporting industry events, webinars, and matchmaking activities that foster ecosystem engagement
Topic 3: Space Market Research and Business Analysis
If you choose Topic 3, the vacancy lists the following tasks:
🛰️ Conduct research to identify and evaluate potential candidate companies within the space sector, supporting the development of a comprehensive and up-to-date ecosystem map
📑 Analyse business plans submitted by applicant companies, assessing their viability, innovation potential, and alignment with evolving space industry trends
🧮 Support internal efforts to refine financial assessment processes, including data collection, scoring frameworks, and benchmarking practices
📈 Monitor and report on emerging industry trends, contributing insights for future thematic programme campaigns and strategic focus areas
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.
Behavioural Competencies
The vacancy lists the following ESA core 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.
Who Can Apply: Education
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.
The Profile ESA Is Looking For
The vacancy describes the following profile:
🚀 You are proactive and autonomous with strong analytical and organisational skills
🧩 You are able to identify inefficiencies and propose automation solutions within existing workflows using Microsoft-based platforms
🏦 You have knowledge of the financial ecosystem and an understanding of the investment lifecycle of a company
🌌 You have knowledge of the European space ecosystem and space economy
During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored.
Assets That Strengthen Your Application
The following are considered assets:
📊 Experience with Microsoft 365 tools, particularly advanced Excel functions and macros, Power BI and Power Automate for process optimisation and reporting
🛸 A demonstrated interest in space technologies and start-ups; practical experience gained in a space start-up
💹 Knowledge and background in economics, finance or business administration
📣 Knowledge and background in marketing and communication
Eligible Nationalities
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.
Selection Process
During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored. During the recruitment process, the Agency may also request applicants to undergo selection tests.
Export Control and Sanctions
Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.
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. The vacancy does not state a stipend or allowance. You can find more opportunities like this in the internships and traineeships section of Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the ESA Ventures and Finance Office internship based?
The internship is based at ESA Headquarters in Paris, France, within the Commercialisation and Industry Partnership directorate. The vacancy lists Paris, FR 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.
What topics can I choose for this internship?
You can choose among three topics: Process Automation and Digital Tools, Communication and Relationship with Industry, or Space Market Research and Business Analysis. Each topic has its own tasks, listed in the vacancy.
What will I do in the Ventures and Finance Office?
Depending on your topic, you could automate processes and build simple internal tools, support companies during their application process and help organise industry events, or research space companies and analyse the business plans submitted by applicants.
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 France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom and 22 others named in the vacancy.
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 experience with Microsoft 365 or a background in finance?
The profile asks for knowledge of the financial ecosystem, the investment lifecycle of a company, and the European space ecosystem and space economy. Experience with Microsoft 365 tools such as advanced Excel, Power BI and Power Automate, and a background in economics, finance, business administration, marketing or communication, are assets.
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.
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, and applicants must be eligible to access information, technology and hardware subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.
Deadline
⏳ 30 November 2026
Links
🔗 Full vacancy and application (Apply now): https://jobs.esa.int/job/Paris-Intern-in-the-Commercialisation-Department-Ventures-and-Finance-Office/1452920533/
📘 ESA Student Internships 2027 announcement: https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Careers_at_ESA/ESA_Student_Internships_2027_are_now_open
🌐 ESA website: http://www.esa.int
📧 ESA student internships contact (diversity and accessibility questions): ESA.Student.Internships@esa.int
