Internship Programme

The UNU-CRIS Research Internship Programme provides an opportunity to experience first-hand the operations at a research institute within the UN system. The programme places a strong emphasis on training and guidance to ensure a successful and beneficial internship. The programme also encourages interns to advance their own studies related to global and regional governance by contributing to the institute’s policy-relevant research projects.

Selection Criteria

Applicants must:

  • be enrolled in, or have recently completed within two years, a graduate (second university degree or equivalent) or postgraduate degree programme (specialized master’s or doctoral level).
  • demonstrate a strong interest in the UN, regional integration/governance studies and specifically in one of the research programs of the Institute, namely:
  • be eager to contribute to the research projects and activities of the Institute and a proactive team player;
  • possess relevant qualitative or quantitative analytical skills.
  • have excellent time management and organisational capacities and be able to deal autonomously with different tasks at the same time.
  • be fluent in oral and written English. Additional language skills are an asset (particularly official UN languages).
  • be proficient with the Microsoft Office Suite;
  • Be available for a minimum duration of three months up to a maximum of six months.
  • be committed to the mission of the UN and to UNU’s mandate.

 

Internship Options

There are two options for those wishing to undertake an internship at UNU-CRIS:

1. Apply directly to a particular project. Please see the list below.

  • Successful applicants will be contacted within two weeks of the application deadline. 

2. Apply to the open call. 

  • Open call applicants can:
    • outline which UNU-CRIS research cluster/researchers they wish to work with and put forward a research proposal, or;
    • submit their general candidacy for consideration as new opportunities arise
  • Applicants for the open call will remain on a reserve list for a maximum of 6 months and may be contacted during that period if an opportunity arises. If an applicant is not contacted during this 6-month period, they may re-apply.

Internships are remunerated at a rate based on the country from where the internship is conducted, as per the UNDP Stipend Rate. 

The internships will ideally take place at our premises in Bruges on a full-time basis, however there are possibilities to partly undertake them remotely and/or via flexible working arrangements.

The exact start and end dates of the internship are negotiable with the corresponding supervisor.

Candidates with an extensive interest in the study of one or more of our thematic research clusters are particularly encouraged to apply for the open call and will have the best chance of being selected for an internship. 

 

External Funding Options

Erasmus+

As part of its Erasmus+ Programme, the European Commission offers financial support to encourage student mobility within the EU. Students enrolled in either a Bachelor or Masters programme in any EU country (other than Belgium) are eligible to apply for funding through the Erasmus+ Mobility Fund so long as their sending university holds an Erasmus Charter for Higher Education (ECHE). 

More information about the initiative can be found here: https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/opportunities/traineeships-...

Flanders Trainee Program

If you are under 35 and your diploma was obtained at an institution of secondary or higher education and financed or subsidised by the Flemish Community, you may be eligible for funding from the Flanders Trainee Program. 

More information can be found at: https://www.fdfa.be/en/ftp

 

Intern Responsibilities

The duties of UNU-CRIS Interns involve:

  • Research tasks related to the assignment and/or project outlined by the supervisor;
  • Presentation of the work performed during the research stay at one of the research workshops, which are informal gatherings bringing together UNU-CRIS researchers;
  • Assistance in administrative and other tasks, as needed.

Interns are welcome and encouraged to take part in seminars, workshops, conferences and other events organised by UNU-CRIS or its partners.

 

Facilities and Services

Interns are provided with a shared office (together with 2-3 other interns), desktop PC, full access to the Microsoft Office suite, and access to the online libraries of the UNU, Ghent University and the VUB. 

 

Application Procedure

Please complete the application form through the link below. 

Applicants are required to submit a:

  • CV
  • Letter of Motivation

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Questions about the internship program shall be directed to Andrew Dunn.

Selected applicants will be informed by email of the final decision within two weeks of the deadline. The selected applicants must confirm their decision to take up an offer within one week after being contacted. The Research Internship Programme is competitive and, unfortunately, only a small percentage of applicants can be accepted. UNU-CRIS is committed to promoting and achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its workforce.

You can read about previous experiences from the programme here.

APPLY HERE