Erasmus+ supports traineeships (work placements, internships) abroad. The fellowship example in this guide, the Marie Skลodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowships, targets researchers holding a PhD. Our guide on what a fellowship is covers the fellowship side in detail.
๐ Erasmus+ traineeship: for students currently enrolled in higher education institutions in Erasmus+ programme countries at short-cycle Bachelor and Master level, as well as for doctoral candidates, and also open to recent graduates.
๐๏ธ Blue Book and Schuman traineeships: the Blue Book Traineeship is a 5-month paid traineeship of the European Commission, and the Schuman traineeships of the European Parliament are paid.
๐ฌ MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship: the beneficiary, which is the organisation receiving EU funding, needs to recruit the researcher for the total period of the fellowship, and the EU provides support in the form of a living allowance and a mobility allowance.
Last updated: November 2026.
Are internship and traineeship the same thing?
Yes in Erasmus+: Erasmus+ supports "traineeships (work placements, internships)" abroad at any workplace, and the Erasmus+ Programme Guide says "traineeship (work placement, internship)". The European Youth Portal page How to find a traineeship says many universities maintain databases of potential internship hosts. The France Excellence Eiffel Regulations define "internship" for that programme only as a temporary period spent in professional circumstances during which students acquire professional competence and put to use skills and knowledge gained from their academic training in order to obtain a degree or certification. Our guide on paid internships abroad lists the programmes.
What is the difference between a paid internship and a funded traineeship?
In an Erasmus+ traineeship, students may receive an individual support grant as a contribution to their additional costs for subsistence related to their period of study or traineeship abroad.
๐ถ Support from the host: receiving organisations for traineeships may provide financial support or contribution in kind to the trainees.
๐๏ธ EU institution traineeships: the Blue Book Traineeship is a 5-month paid traineeship, and the Schuman traineeships are paid.
โ Where an Erasmus+ traineeship can happen: a traineeship can take place at any organisation located anywhere in the world (with the exception of EU institutions, bodies and agencies).
Opportunities on Youth Works Hub are grouped in seven categories (Erasmus+ projects, ESC projects, internships, jobs, scholarships, fellowships, others). Our guide on paid internships abroad covers the funded routes one by one.
What does a traineeship involve?
"A traineeship is a learning experience", says the European Youth Portal.
๐ Erasmus+ traineeship: traineeships abroad can receive Erasmus+ support from 2 to 12 months. The traineeship must be relevant for the degree-related learning and personal development needs and, wherever possible, be integrated in the study programme.
๐๏ธ Blue Book Traineeship: the five-month paid traineeship offers hands-on experience in EU policymaking and administration.
๐๏ธ Schuman traineeship: the Schuman traineeships are awarded for a period of five months.
Our guide on the EU Blue Book Traineeship covers the European Commission, and our guide on the Schuman Traineeship covers the European Parliament.
What does a fellowship involve?
The objective of the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships is to support researchers' careers and foster excellence in research, and the action targets researchers holding a PhD who wish to carry out their research activities abroad. The beneficiary, which is the organisation receiving EU funding, needs to recruit the researcher for the total period of the fellowship. UK Government funding also comes through a Chevening Fellowship: applicants for a Chevening Scholarship who have previously received that funding may apply for a scholarship only after five years have passed since completing their fellowship. Our guide on what a fellowship is covers the types and who can apply.
Which ones are paid and which one fits you?
The Blue Book and Schuman traineeships are paid, students in an Erasmus+ traineeship may receive a grant, and MSCA researchers receive a living allowance and a mobility allowance.
๐ Erasmus+ traineeship: students may receive an individual support grant, and Erasmus+ traineeships are open to any student enrolled in a higher education institution holding an Erasmus+ Charter for Higher Education and to recent graduates.
๐๏ธ Blue Book Traineeship: paid, and the administrative traineeship for university graduates requires a full three-year university degree (European Qualifications Framework, EQF, Level 6) or equivalent.
๐๏ธ Schuman traineeship: paid, and you must hold a full university degree (EQF level 6) or, for a limited number of traineeships, a vocational education qualification obtained within the European Union (EQF levels 3 to 5).
๐ฌ MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships: a living allowance, a mobility allowance and, if applicable, family, long-term leave and special needs allowances, and researchers should have a PhD degree at the time of the deadline for applications.
Consider using the Europass for a professional look and easy updates, and tailor your CV to highlight skills and experiences relevant to the traineeships you are applying for. Our guide on how to prepare your Europass CV takes you through the CV, and our guide on the UN Junior Professional Officer Programme covers a route into the United Nations.
Frequently asked questions
Is every traineeship paid?
No: in Erasmus+, students may receive an individual support grant as a contribution to their additional costs for subsistence related to their period of study or traineeship abroad. Receiving organisations for traineeships may provide financial support or contribution in kind to the trainees. Our guide on paid internships abroad covers the funded routes one by one.
Do I need a PhD for a fellowship?
Yes for the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships: researchers should have a PhD degree at the time of the deadline for applications. Applicants who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but who have not yet formally been awarded the doctoral degree will also be considered eligible to apply. Our guide on what a fellowship is covers the types and who can apply.
Can recent graduates do a traineeship?
Yes: Erasmus+ traineeships are also open to recent graduates. The Erasmus+ programme offers support for both recent graduates from vocational and higher education programmes seeking international placements. Our guide on Erasmus+ and ESC after graduating covers other routes for graduates.
Where can you go from here?
Our guide on what a fellowship is covers the fellowship side. Our guide on paid internships abroad covers the traineeship side. The Youth Works Hub pages below cover the next steps.
Related pages: what a fellowship is ยท paid internships abroad ยท the Blue Book Traineeship ยท the Schuman Traineeship ยท the UN JPO Programme ยท scholarships compared with Erasmus+ grants
๐ Fellowships: youthworkshub.org/?tab=fellowships
๐ Internships: youthworkshub.org/?tab=internship
