Internships – European University Institute – Italy

Would you like to gain professional experience at an international research institution and develop your career in a multicultural academic environment? The European University Institute (EUI) offers internship opportunities in Florence, Italy, aimed at talented young people with a range of academic and professional backgrounds.

The EUI is a leading European centre specialising in the social sciences and humanities, with outstanding research and postgraduate training programmes. Its internships offer first-hand insight into the workings of an international organisation, the chance to apply the knowledge you have acquired, and the opportunity to develop new professional skills.

The Institute offers two types of internship:

• Paid placements, lasting up to one year.
• Unpaid placements, lasting up to three months, aimed at university students where the placement forms part of their course requirements.

Benefits:

• A monthly stipend of €1,540 for paid placements.
• Reimbursement of return travel expenses for paid interns based outside Florence.
• Opportunity to gain experience in an international research organisation.
• Development of professional and personal skills in a multicultural and multilingual environment.
• Supervision by experienced professionals.
• Opportunity to undertake the placement in various academic, technical and administrative areas.

Internship areas:

Tasks will depend on the department to which each participant is assigned. Internships may take place in, amongst others:

• Library.
• Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Department.
• European Union Historical Archives.
• Academic departments.
• Central administration services.
• Office of the Legal Adviser and Data Protection Officer.
• Human Resources.
• Academic Service.
• Communications Service.

General requirements:

• Be a national of a Member State of the European Union or of a candidate country benefiting from a pre-accession strategy.
• Have a level of English equivalent to B2 or higher, in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, and a satisfactory knowledge of another official EU language.
• For paid placements, you must have completed the first cycle of university studies and obtained a degree before the application deadline.
• You must have obtained your most recent university degree within the three years prior to the deadline. This condition does not apply to those who are enrolled in higher education studies at the time of application.

A limited number of nationals from non-EU countries may also be admitted under specific agreements and subject to available resources. The call for applications also allows for applications from Ukrainian nationals.

Unpaid internships:

• Be enrolled on a recognised university programme.
• There must be an inter-institutional agreement between the home university or organisation and the EUI.

Duration and financial conditions:

• Paid internships
  • Maximum duration of 12 months.
  • Shorter placements may be granted, provided they last at least three months.
  • Monthly grant of €1,540, effective from 1 January 2026.
  • Reimbursement of travel expenses actually incurred at the start and end of the placement for scholarship holders recruited from outside Florence.

• Unpaid internships
  • Maximum duration of three months.
  • Possibility of receiving funding from the home university or organisation, in accordance with the inter-institutional agreement.

Internships must begin on the first day of one of the following months: February, April, June, September or November.

Health insurance is compulsory and can be obtained through the Institute upon request. Participants are also covered against the risk of accident under the group policy taken out by the EUI.

Note for non-EU candidates: according to information from the EUI, Italian legislation may allow for certain part-time placements, of 20 hours per week, with a monthly stipend of €770 from 1 January 2026. The applicable requirements regarding residence, visas and documentation must be met.

Open calls and application deadlines:

1. Trainee in the Human Resources Department — EDI

• Deadline: 9 November 2026, at 23:59 (Central European Time).
• Expected start date: 1 February 2027.
• Please complete the online application form and upload the required documents. Only applications submitted via the online form will be accepted.

2. Trainee in the Academic Service

• Deadline: 2 November 2026, at 23:59 (Central European Time).
• Expected start date: 1 February 2027.
• Complete the online application form and upload the required documents. Only applications submitted via the online form will be accepted.

3. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Service Trainees

• Areas: systems and networks, administrative systems and web services.
• Deadline: 2 November 2026, at 23:59 (Central European Time).
• Expected start date: between February and April 2027, depending on requirements and available posts.
• Please complete the online application form and upload the required documents. Only applications submitted via the online form will be accepted.

4. Intern in the Communications Department

• Areas: events, graphic design, marketing, multimedia, research and institutional communications.
• Deadline: open call, with no specific deadline.
• Complete the online application form and upload the required documents. Only applications submitted via the online form will be accepted.

5. Archive Assistant (Internship) — Historical Archives of the European Union

• Deadline: open call for traineeships, with no specific deadline.
• Complete the online application form and upload the required documents. Only applications submitted via the online form will be accepted.

Application process:

Applications must be submitted via the Institute’s online forms. Each call for applications may set out specific requirements and documentation, so it is important to check the relevant announcement before submitting your application.

It is also possible to submit a speculative application using the EUI’s general internship application form.

The application is considered to have been submitted successfully once the automatic confirmation email has been received. Only candidates selected for an interview will receive information regarding the status of their application. If you do not hear back within three months of submitting your application, you may assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion.

Please visit the European University Institute’s official internship page for the full terms and conditions, current vacancies and application procedures.

 

More information: Eurodesk