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InternshipPaid (~€2,800/month + relocation + insurance)

European Space Agency (ESA) Young Graduate Trainee Programme

Last verified 25 May 2026 by the Scholarships for Africans editorial team

One-year paid trainee programme at ESA centres across Europe in space science, engineering and applications — open to nationals of ESA Member, Associate and Cooperating States.

Provider
European Space Agency (ESA)
Host country
Multiple
Deadline
February – March: Publication of EGT opportunities
Region
Europe

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Eligibility & requirements at a glance

Review the recorded eligibility, funding and deadline information below. Confirm the current award conditions on the provider's official source.

Who can apply
Candidates must be within one year of graduating with a Master's degree in engineering, science, IT, or business services and be a citizen of an ESA Member State, Associate Member, European Cooperating State, or Canada.
Funding
Paid (~€2,800/month + relocation + insurance)
Study level
Internship
Deadline
February – March: Publication of EGT opportunities

Key eligibility criteria

  • Candidates must be within one year of graduating with a Master's degree in engineering, science, IT, or business services and be a citizen of an ESA Member State, Associate Member, European Cooperating State, or Canada.

Recorded funding information

  • Paid (~€2,800/month + relocation + insurance)

About the European Space Agency (ESA) Young Graduate Trainee Programme (2026)

## About the Programme ESA's Young Graduate Trainee (YGT) Programme gives recent Master's graduates a one-year, hands-on placement at one of ESA's technical centres in the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, France, the UK or Spain. Trainees work on real missions in fields ranging from launchers and Earth observation to telecoms and human spaceflight. ## What is Offered - Competitive monthly salary (approximately €2,800 net) - Relocation allowance and travel - Health and accident insurance - Pension contributions - One year of structured training, with possible extension ## Eligibility - Master's degree (or close to completion) in a relevant STEM field - Less than one year of professional work experience - National of an ESA Member State, Associate Member or Cooperation Agreement state — currently includes South Africa and (through cooperation frameworks) several other African partner countries; check the open vacancy notice for current eligibility - Fluent in English (French desirable) ## How to Apply The annual campaign opens in October/November via the ESA careers portal. Applicants select up to three positions and submit CV, motivation letter and transcripts.

Funding information

The funding information below is recorded in this listing; it does not establish additional covered components. Check amounts, caps, exclusions and conditions on the official source.

  • Paid (~€2,800/month + relocation + insurance)

European Space Agency (ESA) Young Graduate Trainee Programme eligibility

Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.

  • Candidates must be within one year of graduating with a Master's degree in engineering, science, IT, or business services and be a citizen of an ESA Member State, Associate Member, European Cooperating State, or Canada.

European Space Agency (ESA) Young Graduate Trainee Programme document information

No explicit document checklist is recorded here. If an application is required, prepare only the materials the provider requests.

    How to apply for the European Space Agency (ESA) Young Graduate Trainee Programme 2026

    Follow the provider's stated process. The checks below are guidance, not additional application requirements. Any original editorial instructions remain in the description above.

    1. 1
      Check the provider's process

      Consult https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Careers_at_ESA/Graduates_ESA_Graduate_Trainees to confirm whether consideration is automatic or requires an application, and follow only the process stated there.

    2. 2
      Check eligibility and any requested materials

      Listed eligibility: Candidates must be within one year of graduating with a Master's degree in engineering, science, IT, or business services and be a citizen of an ESA Member State, Associate Member, European Cooperating State, or Canada.. Confirm the current criteria and, if submission is required, use the provider's own checklist.

    3. 3
      Check dates and next steps

      Listed deadline information: February – March: Publication of EGT opportunities. Confirm any cutoff, time zone and follow-up process with the provider.

    European Space Agency (ESA) Young Graduate Trainee Programme deadline & application timeline

    Provider deadline information: February – March: Publication of EGT opportunities. This text cannot be safely converted to a countdown; check the official source for its meaning. The earlier milestones are optional planning suggestions only.

    1. Planning suggestion: 12 months out

      Check the current call and decide whether this opportunity fits your plans.

    2. Planning suggestion: 6 months out

      If the provider requires tests or documents that take time, plan for them using its published instructions.

    3. Planning suggestion: 3 months out

      If an application is required, review the provider's process and prepare only the materials it requests.

    4. Planning suggestion: 1 month out

      If submission is required, allow time to check your materials and any stated cutoff.

    5. Provider deadline
      February – March: Publication of EGT opportunities

      Provider deadline information: February – March: Publication of EGT opportunities. Confirm the current instructions and any cutoff or time zone on the official source; no additional time is assumed here.

    Ready to apply?

    Cross-check the latest eligibility rules and deadline on the sponsor's official portal before you start your application.

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    Editorial verification note

    Editorial note: nationality eligibility is set per vacancy; South Africa is a Cooperating State.
    Last checked 5/25/2026

    Frequently asked questions

    Who can apply for the European Space Agency (ESA) Young Graduate Trainee Programme?+

    Candidates must be within one year of graduating with a Master's degree in engineering, science, IT, or business services and be a citizen of an ESA Member State, Associate Member, European Cooperating State, or Canada.

    What funding does the European Space Agency (ESA) Young Graduate Trainee Programme offer?+

    Listed funding: Paid (~€2,800/month + relocation + insurance). Confirm amounts, exclusions and conditions on the official source. This label does not establish any additional benefit components.

    When is the application deadline?+

    Provider deadline information: February – March: Publication of EGT opportunities. Confirm the current cutoff and any time zone on the official source; no additional cutoff or late-submission policy is assumed here.

    What documents do I need to apply?+

    No explicit document checklist is recorded here. If an application is required, prepare only the documents requested by the provider; requirements may differ from admission requirements.

    How do I check the application process?+

    Consult https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Careers_at_ESA/Graduates_ESA_Graduate_Trainees to confirm whether consideration is automatic or requires an application, and follow only the process stated there. Listed eligibility: Candidates must be within one year of graduating with a Master's degree in engineering, science, IT, or business services and be a citizen of an ESA Member State, Associate Member, European Cooperating State, or Canada.. Confirm the current criteria and, if submission is required, use the provider's own checklist. Listed deadline information: February – March: Publication of EGT opportunities. Confirm any cutoff, time zone and follow-up process with the provider.

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