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Funded traineeships for young graduates at the EU Delegation to the United States

04.09.2026 New opportunity

The deadline for submitting applications is 14/09/2026.

Are you a young graduate interested in international relations? Are you curious to learn more about work of a diplomatic mission and how the EU Delegation represents EU interests and values in United States of America?
 

We offer:

Traineeships of up to 6 months within the following sections of the EU Delegation to the United States, subject to availability of the budget. The tentative start date is November 2026.

Traineeship in the Administration Section (ADMIN):

The Administration section provides support services to the Delegation staff, building, and residences. It encompasses Human Resources, Accounting & Finance, Infrastructure, and Information Technology. It liaises with authorities in Europe and the United States on protocol and administrative matters related to EU officials. As a trainee in the Admin section, you will work on the following tasks:

Main tasks: 

  • Support the logistical coordination and organization of meetings, events, workshops, and official visits, including escorting visitors to the Delegation.
  • Receive, organize, and maintain office stationery, supplies, and other materials.
  • Maintain accurate records of suppliers, orders, deliveries, and expenditures.
  • Provide general administrative and clerical support to the Section, including filing, correspondence, scheduling, and document management.
  • Attend internal and external meetings and prepare minutes, action points, and follow-up records.
  • Assist with maintaining organized records and ensuring that administrative activities are completed efficiently and on time.
  • Assist with market surveys

Traineeship in the Global Issues and Innovation section (GIN):

The Global Issues and Innovation section monitors and analyses U.S. political, economic, and regulatory developments in the areas of transportation, energy and environment, research and innovation, space, food safety (which includes plant and animal health and animal welfare), public health, and consumer protection. As a trainee in the Global Issues and Innovation section, you will work on the following tasks:

Main tasks: 

  • Researching U.S. regulatory developments in the areas of transportation, climate, energy and environment, research and innovation, space, food safety, public health, and consumer protection.
  • Attending U.S. Congressional hearings and other public events related to section policy areas and writing summaries for the section.
  • Support the preparation of the Delegation’s outreach activities within the GIN section areas.
  • Preparing minutes of section meetings.

Traineeship in the Head of Delegation section (HOD):

The Head of Delegation Section (HOD) supports the work of both the Ambassador and Deputy Ambassador in promoting positive relations with the United States. 

The HOD team coordinates with all Sections across the Delegation to establish priorities for the Ambassador’s agenda, ensure briefing for all scheduled meetings and engagements, coordinate a high number of social and diplomatic functions at the EU residence (dinners, lunches, receptions and events), and plan several State Outreach visits per year to build relationships at the State level with elected officials, business leaders and civil society. The HOD team also works with the wider Delegation to ensure the Ambassador’s participation in all high-level visits from Headquarters, and prepares the monthly coordination meetings of EU Ambassadors and Deputy Ambassadors as well as a monthly briefing call with EU Consuls General serving as EU Local Chairs around the US. The HOD intern will primarily be tasked to assist on State Outreach planning and events hosted by the Ambassador at the official EU Residence. As a trainee in the HOD section, you will work on the following tasks:

Main tasks: 

  • State Outreach: 
    • Conducting preliminary research to identify suitable meetings/events/partner in the destination State
    • Assisting with pre-trip planning calls with contacts in the destination State
    • Briefing assembly
    • Post-trip follow-up correspondence
  • Support to Social Secretary for Events at EU Residence
  • Ad Hoc special projects at request of Ambassador

Traineeship in the Political section (POL):

The Political Section follows all aspects of the transatlantic agenda and closely monitors the work of Congress and the U.S. Administration on foreign, security, and defence policy, counterterrorism and home affairs, and human rights, as well as U.S. domestic policy and U.S. elections. The section maintains regular contact with a broad range of Washington-based NGOs, think tanks, and civil society organizations. As a trainee in the Political section, you will work on the following tasks:

Main tasks: 

  • Attending virtual U.S. Congressional hearings and writing summaries.
  • Attending think tank events and writing summaries of topics covered.
  • Researching and writing reports on foreign policy, security, and development cooperation issues for the section.
  • Contributing to briefings on issues related to the section’s priorities.
  • Assisting with the organization of outreach events and activities related to political, security and development issues.

Traineeship in the Press and Public Diplomacy section (PPD):

The Press and Public Diplomacy section aims to highlight the work of the EU to various audiences in the U.S. As a horizontal section, PPD is the key coordinator of all the Delegation’s public outreach activities. The section is also responsible for the Delegation’s media relations and communications strategy. In addition, the section manages people-to-people initiatives and is in charge of the EU’s cultural diplomacy in the U.S. As a trainee in the Press and Public Diplomacy section, you will work on the following tasks:

Main tasks: 

  • Assisting with the organization of public diplomacy events.
  • Assisting with media monitoring and analysis and support for press events.
  • Supporting the section with social media communication and digital content creation (website and social media).
  • Monitoring events organized by think tanks and other organizations for reporting purposes.
  • Providing research assistance as needed in areas related to the section's priorities.
  • Preparing minutes of meetings and assisting with drafting briefings.
  • Answering general information requests.


Qualifications or special requirements:

  • Must have at least a Bachelor's Diploma and background in relevant disciplines (International Affairs, European Affairs, Political Science, Law, Communications, Environment, Health, Science, Economics and other related policy areas).
  • Excellent command of the English language.
  • Be available full time, Monday through Friday.


How to apply?

Candidates must apply to the e-mail address delegation-usa-internships@eeas.europa.eu and send the following documents:

Please mention in the subject of your e-mail: Funded Traineeship - ADMIN, GIN, HOD, POL, or PPD (you may only apply to 1 traineeship per delegation, however based on your profile, the delegation could offer you a traineeship in another section).

 

Important information to read before applying

Before applying you are requested to examine the dedicated website as well as the general eligibility criteria for a paid traineeship (Article 8 of the Decision ADMIN(2017)28 – Paid traineeship).

Each selected trainee will receive a monthly grant to cover living expenses. All costs related to travels, visa, insurance, accommodation must be borne by the trainee. 

Applications from non-eligible candidates will not be considered. After the evaluation of all applications, shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited for an interview. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified by email. In case the selected candidates are not able to present the required documents, their application will be rejected.

The traineeships can only be offered in compliance with the local legislation as well as the legislation of the country of origin. 

Citizens from EU Member states:

  • must provide proof that they will be covered against the risk of a pandemic and the costs of repatriation;

  • must hold a relevant entrance visa and / or temporary residence permit where applicable, based on the traineeship agreement, the duration of the traineeship, and in compliance with the local legislation.