The Migration Policy Institute Europe (MPI Europe) is accepting applications for a full-time, in-person internship at its Brussels office, running from mid-January to 17 December 2027. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed this opportunity: the role sits inside a nonprofit research institute that shapes immigration and asylum policy across Europe, and the intern contributes directly to research, literature reviews, publications, and event coordination working alongside policy analysts and senior management. The position comes with a monthly allowance of €1,310.15 under a Belgian CIP contract, partial public transport reimbursement, and meal vouchers.
What is MPI Europe?
MPI Europe was established in Brussels in 2011 as the European office of the Migration Policy Institute, a Washington D.C.-based nonprofit. It operates as an independent research institute with one mission: to provide rigorous, evidence-based analysis that improves how governments and organisations manage migration, refugee protection, and immigrant integration.
🔬 MPI Europe works directly with governmental and nongovernmental stakeholders across the continent, producing research, policy design recommendations, and practical guidance for institutions that need effective, humane, and workable migration systems.
🤝 Its work covers three interconnected areas: how asylum systems receive and process people seeking protection, how labour migration channels can meet economic needs, and how newcomers and their families integrate into receiving communities.
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What Will You Do as an Intern?
The intern works directly with the MPI Europe team and contributes across a broad range of tasks:
📚 Contribute to research efforts, including literature reviews and background research on migration, asylum, and integration topics
📝 Prepare literature summaries and compile research materials for ongoing projects
📣 Assist in the dissemination of publications: formatting, outreach coordination, and distribution support
🎤 Attend and summarise public and private events, capturing key takeaways for the team
🗂️ Provide administrative support for events and assist senior management with related tasks
🤝 Support the MPI Europe team with day-to-day coordination across projects
The internship description emphasises that the successful candidate will be involved in the organisation of MPI Europe events, which the institute notes will help enrich the intern's professional network within the European migration policy field.
Education and Availability Requirements
Applicants must meet one of the following:
🎓 Hold at least a completed bachelor's degree in a relevant field, with availability to work full-time throughout the internship
📚 Be currently enrolled in a master's or PhD programme, again with full-time availability for the entire period
Both recent graduates and current postgraduate students are eligible. The key condition is full-time availability: the internship cannot be combined with ongoing coursework that limits your hours.
Skills and Background Profile
MPI Europe is looking for candidates with the following:
🌍 A demonstrated interest in migration, asylum, or immigrant integration: this is listed as a mandatory requirement, not a preference
✍️ Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
🔍 Demonstrated organisational skills and the ability to handle tasks ranging from research activities to event administration
🤝 Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
🇫🇷 Proficiency in written and spoken French: MPI Europe has one opening and states a preference for candidates with French proficiency, so this significantly strengthens an application
📊 Experience with quantitative, qualitative, or policy research: an advantage
🗣️ Knowledge of additional languages beyond English and French is listed as an asset
Internship Duration and Location
📅 Start: Mid-January 2027
📅 End: 17 December 2027 (approximately 11 months)
📍 Location: MPI Europe office, Brussels, Belgium: full-time, in-person
This is a full-time, on-site position. There is no remote or hybrid option: MPI Europe explicitly describes it as a full-time in-person internship in Brussels.
Financial Conditions
The internship is structured under a Belgian CIP contract (convention d'immersion professionnelle, or beroepsinlevingsovereenkomst in Flemish). Key financial terms:
💶 Monthly allowance: €1,310.15 gross
🚌 Public transport: Reimbursed on a percentage basis, prorated according to the number of office workdays, in line with Belgian social law
🍽️ Meal vouchers: €8 per working day
🏠 Relocation: Not covered. If you are moving to Brussels for the internship, those costs are entirely your responsibility.
You can find a broader overview of how funded internships abroad work, including what costs to plan for even when a stipend is provided, in this internship guide on Youth Works Hub.
Working Rights in Belgium: What You Need to Know
This is a critical requirement. Only applicants who are legally entitled to work in Belgium will be considered. MPI Europe is not able to provide visa sponsorship, work permits, or any form of immigration support.
In practice, this means:
🇪🇺 EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens are automatically entitled to work in Belgium and can apply freely
🌍 Non-EU/EEA nationals must already hold a valid Belgian work permit or other legal authorisation to work in Belgium at the time of the internship. MPI Europe will not initiate or support that process.
If you are unsure about your work authorisation status in Belgium, MPI Europe advises confirming this before you apply, to avoid being disqualified at a later stage.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted via the online form below before 24 November 2026, close of business.
As part of the form, you must submit the following three documents:
📄 A current CV
✉️ A cover letter (maximum one page)
✍️ An original writing sample, written independently and without any editing assistance from others
All files must follow this naming format: Surname_FirstName_DocumentType.pdf (for example: Smith_Jane_CoverLetter.pdf).
If you encounter any technical problems with the online form, email europe@migrationpolicy.org with the subject line "Issue with online form".
Due to the volume of applications, only candidates being considered for the position will be contacted. Phone calls are not accepted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the MPI Europe internship paid?
Yes. The intern receives a monthly allowance of €1,310.15 under a Belgian CIP contract (convention d'immersion professionnelle). Public transport costs are partially reimbursed, and meal vouchers worth €8 per working day are provided. Relocation expenses are not covered.
Do I need to be an EU citizen to apply?
No, but you must be legally entitled to work in Belgium. EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens can apply freely. Candidates from other countries must already hold a valid Belgian work authorisation. MPI Europe cannot provide visa sponsorship or work permits.
Is French required?
French is not mandatory, but MPI Europe has one opening and states a preference for candidates with proficiency in French. If you have strong French skills, this meaningfully strengthens your application.
Can I apply as a recent graduate?
Yes. The internship is open to candidates who have completed at least a bachelor's degree. You do not need to be currently enrolled in a programme, but you must be available full-time for the entire duration of the internship.
Is the internship in-person or remote?
The position is full-time and in-person at MPI Europe's Brussels office. There is no remote or hybrid option.
What documents are required for the application?
You need to submit three documents: a current CV, a cover letter of maximum one page, and an original writing sample written independently without editing assistance. All files must be named Surname_FirstName_DocumentType.pdf and submitted through the online application form.
When does the internship start and end?
The position runs from mid-January 2027 to 17 December 2027.
What is the application deadline?
Applications must be submitted by 24 November 2026, close of business, via the online application form.
Deadline
⏳ 24 November 2026
Links
Apply: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/PxhEtZYpqH
MPI Europe Internship Page: https://www.migrationpolicy.org/mpi-europe/work-with-us/internships
Find more internship opportunities at Youth Works Hub.
