The European Space Agency (ESA) is recruiting an Intern for its EU Relations Office in Brussels, Belgium, to support the Agency's work with the Council, Parliament, Commission, EDA and EEAS. Applications close on 30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET/CEST, and the internship is open to university students from ESA's participating states. At Youth Works Hub we went through the full vacancy and set out every task, requirement and selection detail below.
The Internship at a Glance
The internship sits in ESA's Strategy, Legal and External Matters directorate and is based at the ESA Brussels office. These are the formal details of the vacancy:
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 20967
🎓 Type of appointment: Intern
🏛️ Directorate: Strategy, Legal and External Matters
📍 Workplace: Bruxelles, BE
🏢 Location: EBO, Brussels, Belgium
📣 Publication method: External Only
⏳ Closing date: 30 November 2026, 23:59 CET/CEST
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 onwards. The exact start date is agreed with the ESA tutor.
📅 Duration: 3 to 6 months
🗓️ Earliest start: February 2027
🧭 Start date: set together with your ESA tutor
🔢 Number of applications: one candidate can apply for a maximum of two internship vacancies
Our Team and Mission: The ESA Brussels Office
The ESA Brussels office acts as the main channel of communication between the Agency and the EU Institutions. Under the authority of the Head of the ESA Brussels office, you will support the activities of the office related to the actions towards EU Institutions, which the vacancy names as the Council, Parliament, Commission, EDA, EEAS and others.
What You Will Do in the Office
Your day-to-day work supports the office in several ways. The vacancy describes the following activities:
🎪 attending events and conferences
📝 producing reports
📰 contributing to the newsletter of the office
🧰 carrying out other tasks according to the needs of the Office
Working With the Directorates and With the EU Institutions
You will be asked to support the SLE-UB activities both internally, with the programme directorates, and externally, with EU Institutions.
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Your Five Core Tasks
During the internship, you will support the EBO Team with the following tasks:
🔎 assist in monitoring of discussions, policy initiatives and legislative developments within European institutions
📑 support the preparation of briefings, reports, presentations and background material related to institutional relations and cooperation with European institutions
⚖️ contribute to the follow-up of legal and regulatory files, assessing their potential impact on space activities and programmes
🗣️ participate in meetings, conferences and events, preparing summaries and identifying relevant outcomes and follow-up actions
🤝 collaborate with experts from different disciplines and gain insight into how policy, legal, institutional and programme-related activities support the development of the European space sector
Inside the Brussels "Space Bubble"
The internship gives you the opportunity to gain experience in a dynamic environment with a large number of contacts within the Brussels "space bubble". The vacancy says you will learn how the EU legislative process really works.
What You Will Learn
Through this internship, you will develop a practical understanding of the following areas:
🏛️ European institutional processes
🚀 space policy and governance frameworks
📜 regulatory developments affecting the space sector
🛰️ the implementation of major European space programmes
You will also strengthen your analytical, research, communication and stakeholder engagement skills in an international environment.
Education Requirement
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.
Working Languages
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 and the Interview
Beyond your studies and language skills, the vacancy mentions the following:
🎤 during the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored
🇪🇺 knowledge and background in EU institutions and/or space policy is an asset
Behavioural Competencies
Six behavioural competencies are listed. For more information, the vacancy refers candidates to the ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook.
🎯 Result Orientation
⚙️ Operational Efficiency
🫱 Fostering Cooperation
🧩 Relationship Management
🔄 Continuous Improvement
🔭 Forward Thinking
Which Nationalities Can Apply
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.
🍁 Cooperating State: applicants from Canada can apply as well
🤲 European Cooperating States (ECS): applicants from Bulgaria, Croatia and Malta can apply as well
Selection Tests
During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests.
Internship Conditions 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.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness at ESA
ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. Applications are welcome from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics.
Support for Applicants With Disabilities
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 its contact address is listed in the Links section below.
Browse more internships and traineeships on Youth Works Hub →
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the ESA EU Relations Office internship based?
The internship is based at the ESA Brussels office (EBO) in Brussels, Belgium, within the Strategy, Legal and External Matters directorate. The vacancy lists Bruxelles, BE as the workplace.
What will I do as an intern in the ESA Brussels office?
You will support the EBO Team with monitoring policy and legislative developments in European institutions, preparing briefings, reports, presentations and background material, following legal and regulatory files, and attending meetings, conferences and events. You may also contribute to the office newsletter.
How long does the internship last and when does it start?
According to ESA's announcement of its 2027 student internships, an internship lasts 3 to 6 months and starts from February 2027 onwards. The exact start date is agreed with the ESA tutor.
Who can apply for this ESA internship?
You must be a university student, preferably in your final or second-to-last year of a Master's-level course. You must also be able to prove that you will be enrolled at your university for the entire duration of the internship.
Which nationalities can apply?
Applications are only considered from nationals of ESA's participating 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, Bulgaria, Croatia and Malta can apply as well.
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 background in EU institutions or space policy?
Knowledge and background in EU institutions and/or space policy is listed as an asset, so it strengthens an application. The vacancy does not state it as a strict requirement.
Can I apply for more than one ESA internship?
According to ESA's announcement of its 2027 student internships, one candidate can apply for a maximum of two internship vacancies.
Will there be an interview or tests?
During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored. The Agency may also request applicants to undergo selection tests during the recruitment process.
What is the application deadline?
The closing date is 30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET/CEST.
Deadline
⏳ 30 November 2026 (23:59 CET/CEST)
Links
🔗 Job description and application: https://jobs.esa.int/job/Bruxelles-Intern-in-the-EU-Relations-Office-in-Brussels/1452866033/
🌐 European Space Agency: https://www.esa.int
📢 ESA Student Internships 2027 announcement: https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Careers_at_ESA/ESA_Student_Internships_2027_are_now_open
📨 ESA Student Internships team (disability support and recruitment assistance): ESA.Student.Internships@esa.int
