The European Space Agency (ESA) is offering an internship in the Earth Observation Contracts Service of its Contracts Department at ESTEC in Noordwijk, the Netherlands. 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: 21094
🎓 Type of appointment: Intern
🏛️ Directorate: Controlling, Finance and Operational Procurement
🏢 Team: Earth Observation Contracts Service, Contracts Department
📍 Workplace: Noordwijk, NL
🗺️ Location: ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
📣 Publication method: External Only
📅 Closing date: 30 November 2026, 23:59 CET/CEST
Where You Will Be Based: ESTEC, Noordwijk
The internship is located at ESTEC in Noordwijk, the Netherlands. The vacancy lists Noordwijk, NL as the workplace.
Your Team: The Earth Observation Contracts Service
The intern will join the Earth Observation Contracts Service team, in the Contracts Department. The Service is composed of a Head of Service (the Manager) and 15 team members.
What the Service Procures
The Service is in charge of small to medium R&D procurements as well as large satellite procurements. Such procurements encompass:
🚀 ESA classical fully funded Missions
🌱 Missions in partnership with the European Union (e.g. Copernicus)
🌦️ Missions in partnership with EUMETSAT (e.g. Meteorological Missions)
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What You Will Learn: The Full Procurement Cycle
As an intern you will have the opportunity to familiarise yourself with the full procurement cycle under the Agency's procurement rules and how the Agency's rules are adapted for EU co-funded procurements.
This will give you the opportunity to familiarise yourself with the different public procurement rules (ESA, EU) and get a solid knowledge of the underlying public procurement principles.
Your Field of Activity: Analysing Rules and Running the Cycle
As an intern, you will be involved in the following activities:
📜 analysis of the ESA Contracting Regulations and ESA's unique rules and context
🇪🇺 analysis of the ESA procurement rules as adapted for activities funded by the EU
⚖️ analysis of the ESA General Clauses and Conditions for ESA Contracts
🗂️ participation in the full procurement cycle starting from the preparation of tender packages, issue of the tender, evaluation of the proposals and placement of the Contracts
What You Take Away from the Internship
Through the participation in the above activities you will have a clear view of the main principles of public procurement applying to ESA procurements. At the same time you will have learnt the principles and international standards applicable to public procurement around the world, which are mirrored in the ESA procurement rules.
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 and Assets
During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored. The vacancy also lists the following asset:
⚖️ knowledge and background in Contract and European Law
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 Earth Observation Contracts Service internship based?
The internship is based at ESTEC in Noordwijk, the Netherlands, within ESA's Controlling, Finance and Operational Procurement Directorate. The vacancy lists Noordwijk, NL 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 will I work on during the internship?
You will analyse the ESA Contracting Regulations, the ESA procurement rules as adapted for EU-funded activities, and the ESA General Clauses and Conditions for ESA Contracts. You will also take part in the full procurement cycle, from preparing tender packages and issuing the tender to evaluating proposals and placing the Contracts.
What does the Earth Observation Contracts Service do?
The Service handles small to medium R&D procurements and large satellite procurements. These cover ESA's classical fully funded Missions as well as Missions in partnership with the European Union (e.g. Copernicus) and EUMETSAT (e.g. Meteorological Missions).
How big is the team I would join?
The Earth Observation Contracts Service is composed of a Head of Service (the Manager) and 15 team members.
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 the Netherlands, 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 legal background?
The vacancy lists knowledge and background in Contract and European Law as an asset. During the interview, your motivation for applying to the role will be explored.
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/Noordwijk-Intern-in-the-Contracts-Department-Earth-Observation-Contracts-Service/1452884633/
📘 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
