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Internship at the UiB Brussels Office

The UiB Brussels Office offers two internships each semester for students at the University of Bergen.

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UiB Brussels Office

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As a student intern at the UiB Brussels Office, you learn to make use of the knowledge acquired while studying in practice. Through working closely with the permanent staff at the office in assisting their daily representation and promotion of the University of Bergen in Brussels, student interns at the office gain invaluable, first-hand experience of how interest representation in the EU works. The primary task of the office is to strengthen UiB’s participation in EU funded research and innovation initiatives; in particular the framework programme Horizon Europe.

Student Internship at the University of Bergen's Brussels Office

The University of Bergen's Brussels Office is seeking two student interns for the fall semester of 2025. This position is particularly relevant for students wishing to gain insight into the EU system, policy development in Europe, and how various stakeholders work with the EU, with a specific focus on research, innovation, and knowledge policy, and everything that entails.

About UiB's Brussels Office

UiB's Brussels Office has a broad focus on strengthening the university's role and visibility in the EU. The main goal of the office is to enhance UiB's participation in EU research and innovation

programs, with a particular emphasis on Horizon Europe. At the same time, we continuously work to build our network in Brussels, both through formal networks and informal collaboration channels with other stakeholders in the European research and political landscape.

We actively work to promote and highlight UiB's academic environments in Brussels and contribute to the development of policies relevant to research and innovation. An essential part of our work is gathering information on developments in the EU to inform UiB about relevant policy developments and convey opportunities to our academic environments while actively representing UiB's interests in the EU arena.

Responsibilities

As a student intern at UiB's Brussels Office, you will have the opportunity to engage in several exciting and varied tasks and gain firsthand experience in interest representation and EU-related processes. Some tasks you can expect to work on include:

  • Monitoring policy developments in the EU on areas relevant to the office.
  • Representing UiB in meetings with various stakeholders and reporting from these.
  • Participating in working group meetings in networks where UiB is a member.
  • Communication work, including social media and newsletters.
  • Organizing UiB events and meetings in Brussels.
  • Assisting with the daily operations of the office.

Student interns at Masters level can expect a greater degree of analytical work.

The student interns will participate in the daily work of the office and contribute to ongoing activities that UiB is involved in both in Brussels and the EU. Tasks may vary somewhat from semester to semester.

Qualifications

To qualify for an internship at UiB's Brussels Office, you must be a student at the University of Bergen and eligible for one of these courses:

Duration

  • Fall semester: Mid-August to December.
  • Spring semester: Mid-January to the end of June.

Erasmus+ grant

In addition to qualifying for grants and loans from Lånekassen, an internship at UiB Brussels will qualify you for a mobility grant from Erasmus+, which is 680 euros per month. Other terms may apply for non-Norwegian students. Please refer to your student adviser.

Working Life in Brussels

Brussels is Europe's political hub, where the EU institutions such as the European Parliament, the European Commission, and the Council of the European Union are headquartered. Here you will find not only the most important political decision-makers but also an entire ecosystem of actors shaping European policy. In addition to the EU institutions, Brussels is home to a wide range of organizations representing various interests, including business, different European regions, embassies from around the world, as well as a diversity of NGOs and umbrella organizations.

Among the many actors in Brussels are also hundreds of universities and research institutions represented in the city, either to gather information, actively participate in debates, or promote their research interests. This makes Brussels an exciting and dynamic place for collaboration.

There is also a strong Norwegian presence in Brussels. In addition to UiB, which shares office facilities with NTNU, SINTEF, and NORCE in the Norwegian House for Research and Innovation (NOHRI), several other Norwegian organizations have offices in the city. These include entities from the business sector, public organizations, and support apparatus, all contributing to promoting Norwegian interests in the European decision-making process.

Social Life in Brussels

As a student intern at our office, you will not only gain professional experience but also have the opportunity to build a social and professional network. We share office spaces with NORCE, SINTEF, and NTNU, which also offer internship positions, creating opportunities for collaboration and new friendships. Various activities and gatherings are organized throughout the semester, where you can meet fellow interns and other stakeholders in Brussels.

Join UiB's Brussels Office

If you are interested in the EU, policy development, and how various stakeholders work with the EU, this could be a unique opportunity for you. During a semester with us, you will gain insights into international collaboration, relevant networking opportunities, and experience that strengthens your understanding of the EU, particularly European research and innovation efforts.

We look forward to reading your application and hearing why you want to be part of our team in Brussels!

Our experience

The student interns for the autumn of 2024 shared their experience with their internship in Brussels in an interview with Khrono (Norwegian Article).

The student interns during fall 2021 shared their thoughts on living in Brussels and working at the UiB Brussels Office here (Norwegian article).

More information about the formal requirements to apply can be found on the subject description of SAMPOL291: Comparative Politics Internship – abroad.