The European Space Agency (ESA) is looking for an intern in the Commercialisation Acceleration Department, Entrepreneurship & Business Incubation Office, based at ESTEC in Noordwijk, Netherlands. The internship lasts 3 to 6 months, starts from February 2027 and is open to university students who analyse start-up data and build dashboards. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the full vacancy: applications close on 30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET/CEST.
Internship at a Glance
🏛️ Organisation: European Space Agency (ESA)
🧭 Team: Entrepreneurship & Business Incubation Office (CIP-ASB)
🆔 Job requisition ID: 20978
🗂️ Directorate: Commercialisation and Industry Partnership
📍 Workplace: Noordwijk, Netherlands
🏢 Location: ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
📋 Type of appointment: Intern
⏱️ Duration: 3 to 6 months
📆 Start: from February 2027, with the exact start agreed with your ESA tutor
📰 Publication method: external only
🔚 Closing date: 30 November 2026, 23:59 CET/CEST
Our Team and Mission: Green and Digital Commercialisation
The Entrepreneurship & Business Incubation Office (CIP-ASB) represents a visible contribution to ESA's entrepreneurial effort to boost green and digital commercialisation. By tapping into Europe's enterprising communities, the Office is expeditiously extending the reach of European commercial space into the global economy and society at large.
In particular, the ESA Business Incubation Centre (ESA BIC) Network focuses on supporting entrepreneurs and early-stage start-ups using space related technologies and/or data.
Three Objectives of the ESA BICs
The ESA BICs focus on three main objectives:
🎯 Addressing real customer needs
🌌 Diversifying space as a business (New Space)
📈 Focusing on the acceleration of commercial growth
From One Centre in 2004 to 40 ESA BICs Across Europe
The first ESA BIC was launched in the Netherlands in 2004. It has grown into a pan-European network of 40 ESA BICs in 23 Participating States by mid-2026. The Office additionally manages the ESRIC Start-up Support Programme in Luxembourg.
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Why This Office Is a Good Place for Students
The Entrepreneurship & Business Incubation Office (CIP-ASB) represents the best place for students to engage with decision-makers in industry and aspiring entrepreneurs for future engagements beyond their internships. The vacancy also calls it an exciting time to join, as the Office is implementing the new ACCESS programme adopted at the 2025 Ministerial Council.
Field of Activity: Data on ESA BIC Start-ups
ESA has a network of ESA Business Incubation Centres across Europe. Each year, over 250 start-ups with a space-related business idea are selected for incubation, while over 2200 start-ups have been supported altogether. The ESA BICs help these start-ups develop and grow their businesses.
ESA routinely collects information about the incubatees and alumni of ESA BICs. This has been done to evaluate the socioeconomic impact of the ESA BIC supported start-ups in terms of revenue, employment and investments.
Your Tasks as an Intern in the Office
As an intern, you will have the following tasks:
📊 Process and analyse data from start-ups on a portfolio level
🗄️ Create and manage databases related to business incubation activities
🤖 Identify opportunities for further automation of ESA BIC data collection, processing and visualisation, including developing new approaches and dashboards
📝 Prepare presentations and reports on findings
🧩 Perform other assignments based on operational needs of the team, for example activity coordination, supporting on-site events, conducting business research
Six Behavioural Competencies Behind the Role
The vacancy lists six ESA behavioural competencies. For more information, it refers to the ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook.
🏁 Result Orientation
⚙️ Operational Efficiency
🫂 Fostering Cooperation
💬 Relationship Management
🔄 Continuous Improvement
🔮 Forward Thinking
Who Can Apply: Student Status and Study Level
The vacancy asks for a university student, preferably in the final or second-to-last year of a 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.
Languages: English or French
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.
Required Knowledge and Skills
Knowledge and skills in one or several of the following areas are required:
🧮 Statistics
🔎 Data analysis
💶 Economic Key Performance Indicators for high-tech start-ups
🖥️ MS Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint
📐 Statistical software (e.g. R, PowerBI)
📉 Data automation and dashboards
Assets That Strengthen Your Application
The following are considered assets:
🐍 Programming languages (e.g. Python)
✨ Experience with AI prompting
Interview: Your Motivation Will Be Explored
During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored.
Nationality Rules for This Internship
ESA considers applications only from nationals of one of these 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.
Duration and Start Date
According to ESA's announcement of its 2027 student internships, an internship lasts 3 to 6 months and starts from February 2027. The exact start date is determined with the ESA tutor.
Limit: Two Applications Per Candidate
ESA's announcement states that a candidate can apply for a maximum of 2 internship vacancies. Choose the offers that fit your studies best.
Selection Tests and Export Control
During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. Applicants must also be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.
Equal Opportunities and Support for Applicants with Disabilities
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.
ESA values diversity and welcomes people with disabilities. Whenever possible, it 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 discuss this by email with the ESA internships team (the address is listed in the Links section below).
Does the Vacancy Mention Pay? Conditions and Disclaimer
The vacancy page does not state an allowance for this internship. ESA also notes that the information on its careers website about internship conditions is correct at the time of publication, is not exhaustive and may not address all questions you have.
Find more opportunities like this in our internship and traineeship listings on Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the ESA Business Incubation internship take place?
The internship takes place at ESTEC in Noordwijk, Netherlands. The role belongs to the Entrepreneurship & Business Incubation Office (CIP-ASB) in the Commercialisation and Industry Partnership Directorate.
What will an intern in the Office do?
You process and analyse start-up data on a portfolio level, create and manage databases related to business incubation activities, and identify opportunities to automate ESA BIC data collection, processing and visualisation. You also prepare presentations and reports on your findings and take on other assignments such as activity coordination, on-site events support and business research.
What is the ESA BIC Network?
It is a pan-European network of 40 ESA Business Incubation Centres in 23 Participating States by mid-2026. The ESA BICs support entrepreneurs and early-stage start-ups using space related technologies and/or data.
How long is the internship and when does it start?
According to ESA's 2027 student internships announcement, the internship lasts 3 to 6 months and starts from February 2027. The exact start date is determined with your ESA tutor.
Who can apply for this 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?
ESA considers applications only from nationals of its listed 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.
Which languages do I need?
A good knowledge of English or French is required, as these are the working languages of the Agency. Knowledge of another ESA Member State language is an asset.
Which knowledge and skills are required?
Knowledge and skills in one or several areas are required: statistics, data analysis, economic Key Performance Indicators for high-tech start-ups, MS Excel, PowerPoint and SharePoint, statistical software (e.g. R, PowerBI), and data automation and dashboards.
Which skills count as an asset?
Programming languages (e.g. Python) and experience with AI prompting are considered assets.
Can I apply for more than one ESA internship?
A candidate can apply for a maximum of 2 internship vacancies, according to ESA's announcement.
Is the internship paid?
The vacancy page does not state an allowance. ESA notes that its published information on internship conditions is not exhaustive.
What is the application deadline?
Applications close on 30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET/CEST.
Will there be selection tests?
The Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests during the recruitment process, and your motivation for applying will be explored during the interview.
Deadline
⏳ 30 November 2026
Links
🔗 Apply now (official vacancy): https://jobs.esa.int/job/Noordwijk-Intern-in-the-Commercialisation-Acceleration-Dept_-Entrepreneurship-&-Business-Incubation-Office/1452919733/
📢 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 internships contact: ESA.Student.Internships@esa.int
