The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has opened applications for its NATO Internship Programme, offering current third-year university students and recent graduates (within one year of completing a bachelor’s or master’s degree, i.e. 2025 graduates) valuable professional experience in an international environment.

Successful candidates will complete a six-month internship at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, working within the International Staff, the International Military Staff (IMS), or other NATO bodies and agencies participating in the programme. Internship placements are available across a wide range of fields, including politics, defence and security, innovation, communications, human resources, finance, science, and technology.

Eligibility criteria

Applicants must meet the following requirements at the time of application:

• Be at least 21 years old
• Hold citizenship of a NATO member state
• Be a student in at least the third year of a bachelor’s programme, or a graduate (within one year) of a bachelor’s or master’s programme
• Demonstrate proficiency in English or French (knowledge of an additional working language is an advantage, but not required)

Key benefits

• A unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience within a major international organisation
• A monthly stipend of €1,335 (based on a 38-hour work week)
• 15 days of paid leave
• Travel reimbursement of up to €1,200 (covering economy-class transport or mileage by car at the start and end of the internship)
• Valuable opportunities for professional and personal development
  (Please note: completion of the internship does not guarantee future employment with NATO.)

Application process

The application deadline is 30 April 2026. Candidates are strongly encouraged to apply well in advance and carefully review all requirements. Applications must be submitted online, and applicants are required to create a personal account on the official website.

Internships typically begin twice a year, in March and September.

Selection process and security clearance

The selection process takes place approximately one year in advance due to the required security clearance. Successful candidates must apply for a “Secret” level security clearance, which typically takes 6–7 months to obtain.

For further details, applicants are encouraged to consult the official programme website and supporting materials, including:

• Programme factsheet
• NATO Internship Programme Website
• Selection process overview
• Detailed guidance and application tips
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
• Internship handbook