The Schuman traineeships are paid traineeships in the Secretariat of the European Parliament, awarded for a period of five months. The European Parliament offers two types of traineeships: Traineeships in the Secretariat (Schuman traineeships) and Traineeships with Members of the European Parliament. The Schuman traineeships are named after Robert Schuman, one of the main architects of the European integration project. Our guide on paid internships abroad compares the Schuman traineeships with the other paid routes.
Last updated: November 2026.
Where do Schuman trainees work and in which fields?
The Schuman traineeships can be undertaken at one of the European Parliament's official places of work (Brussels, Luxembourg and Strasbourg) or in its Liaison Offices in the Member States. The Schuman traineeships may be undertaken in a wide variety of fields, such as EU internal and external policies, finance, law, multilingualism, administration, infrastructure and logistics, communication or IT. A Schuman traineeship will enhance your education and your vocational training and provide you with an insight into the work of the EU institutions and the European Parliament. The Directorate-General for Communication offers a number of Schuman traineeships in memory of Ján Kuciak, the Slovak investigative journalist who was murdered in February 2018. Our guide on the EU Blue Book Traineeship covers the paid traineeship at the European Commission.
Who can apply for a Schuman traineeship?
Applicants for a Schuman traineeship must:
🎂 Age: be aged 18 or over.
🛂 Nationality: be nationals of a Member State of the European Union or an accession/candidate country (a very limited number of traineeships can also be offered to nationals of other countries).
🎓 Qualification: hold a full university degree (European Qualifications Framework, EQF, level 6) or, for a limited number of traineeships, a vocational education qualification obtained within the European Union (EQF levels 3 to 5).
🗣️ Languages: have a thorough knowledge of one official EU language and a very good knowledge of a second (or a good knowledge of a second, for applicants with a vocational education qualification); citizens of non-Member States must have a very good knowledge (or good, for applicants with a vocational education qualification) of either English, French or German.
📄 Criminal record: provide an eligible criminal record. If you are shortlisted, you provide a copy of your criminal record issued within the last six months before the starting date of your traineeship.
⛔ Earlier EU work: not have worked, or have benefitted from any other type of traineeship, for more than two months in an EU institution, body or agency.
⛔ Study visit: not have carried out a study visit at the Secretariat of the European Parliament six months prior to the beginning of the traineeship.
Our guide on what separates a traineeship from a fellowship explains the words you will see in the offers.
How do you apply for a Schuman traineeship?
You apply for a Schuman traineeship on the traineeship application page of the European Parliament. The Schuman traineeships are awarded in two traineeship periods.
🖊️ Apply: select and apply for a maximum of three traineeships.
📄 Documents: if you are shortlisted, you will be required to provide certain supporting documents to prove your eligibility.
✉️ Admission: if you are selected, you will get an official Admission Letter via email.
Spontaneous applications will not be considered. Our guide on paid internships abroad lists other paid routes.
Is the Schuman traineeship paid?
Yes: the Schuman traineeships are paid. You can download the information on the monthly grant and allowances in PDF format from the European Parliament. Our guide on the EU Blue Book Traineeship covers the grant at the European Commission.
Is there support for trainees with disabilities?
Yes: persons with disabilities can take part via the Positive Action Scheme for trainees with disabilities, in addition to the general selection procedure for Schuman trainees. The inclusion of persons with disabilities is a priority of the European Parliament. The European Parliament is an equal opportunities employer, with reasonable accommodation available for successful candidates with disabilities who may need it.
♿ Who can apply: persons who have a long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairment of at least 20% can apply to the Positive Action Scheme.
✅ Offer: shortlisted candidates from the Positive Action Scheme who meet the general eligibility criteria for a Schuman traineeship may receive an offer for a traineeship, once the European Parliament's Medical Service confirms that they have a disability.
➕ Additional payment: successful candidates may receive an additional payment of up to 50% of the Schuman trainees' monthly grant, to compensate for additional costs incurred (European Parliament page, October 2026).
🖊️ Application: candidates that wish to be considered for the Positive Action Scheme for trainees with disabilities must apply for a Schuman traineeship via the traineeship application page.
Our guide on the UN Junior Professional Officer Programme covers a route into the United Nations.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a Schuman traineeship last?
The Schuman traineeships are awarded for a period of five months. Our guide on paid internships abroad compares the Schuman traineeships with the other paid routes.
Can non-EU citizens apply?
Nationals of an accession/candidate country can apply, and a very limited number of traineeships can also be offered to nationals of other countries. Citizens of non-Member States must have a very good knowledge (or good, for applicants with a vocational education qualification) of either English, French or German. Our guide on the UN Junior Professional Officer Programme covers a route into the United Nations.
Can I apply with a vocational qualification?
Yes, for a limited number of traineeships, if you hold a vocational education qualification obtained within the European Union (EQF levels 3 to 5). Our guide on the EU Blue Book Traineeship covers the paid traineeship at the European Commission.
Can I send a spontaneous application?
No: spontaneous applications will not be considered. Our guide on paid internships abroad lists other paid routes.
Where can you go from here?
Our guide on paid internships abroad shows the other paid routes. Our guide on the Blue Book Traineeship covers the European Commission. The Youth Works Hub pages below cover the next steps.
Related pages: paid internships abroad · the Blue Book Traineeship · fellowship vs internship vs traineeship · the UN JPO Programme
👉 Internships: youthworkshub.org/?tab=internship
