The European Space Agency (ESA) has announced its annual Student Internship Programme, and internship positions are also open to students from Latvia. Students can apply until the end of November in a wide range of fields, including engineering, science, IT, natural and social sciences, business, economics, and administrative services. This is a chance for students to launch their career in the space sector to gain hands-on experience with one of the world’s leading space organisations.
How to apply?
Students can browse this year’s opportunities directly on ESA recruitment website. One must create a candidate profile, upload a CV, and add a motivation letter to submit the application. Applications will remain open until 30 November.
To apply for ESA Student Internship Programme, one must be a student, preferably in final or second-to-last year of a university course at master’s level, and a citizen of the ESA Member States, Associate Member States, such as Latvia, or Cooperating States. The starting date of the internship is flexible and can be decided by mutual agreement with your tutor. It should allow for the fact that you will need to be enrolled at university for the duration of the internship, which will be between three and six months.
ESA Entry-Levels Programme Coordinator Andrew Kane emphasizes: “Our internships offer the chance for many students to get their first exposure to the space industry and ESA, with many of our technical positions affording them hands-on experience at some of the best facilities in the world. Many of our interns also use the opportunity at ESA to inject some unique research and insights into their university theses. It is also important to mention the social and networking side of an ESA internship: students will get the chance to work alongside hundreds of other early career professionals, learn from each other, make long-lasting friendships and connections and, of course, have fun!”
ESA tips for applying
To make the application as strong as possible, ESA suggests the following steps:
- To read through the different opportunities thoroughly and select the opportunity that most interests the applicant and fits the best with their academic background and aspirations. Every student can apply to a maximum of two internship positions, however within each internship opportunity there is no limit to the choice of topics.
- Share the motivation, interests, and enthusiasm in the motivation letter – but keep it clear and concise.
- Answer the questions in the application form carefully: they are important for ESA to learn more about your profile and background.
- Join ESA live webinar on 12 November 2024 for more information and to ask any additional questions you may have.
Selection process
- November 2024: publication of internship opportunities.
- December 2024 - January 2025: shortlisting and selection of candidates.
- February 2025: earliest start date for internships. The starting date of the internship is flexible (between February and October of the same year) and can be decided by mutual agreement with your tutor.
Further information about the ESA Student Internship Programme is available on the ESA website. The internship FAQ section will answer any further questions about the ESA Internship Programme.
About European Space Agency
ESA is intergovernmental organization with the mission to shape the development of Europe’s space capability. Latvia joined ESA as an Associate Member State in 2020. Developing and implementing space policy is a priority for the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Latvia. Thanks to Latvia’s status as an ESA Associate Member State, Latvian companies and research institutions can participate in world-class space projects, collaborate with major industry players, and gain expertise for effective integration into the European space sector. Meanwhile, students can apply for internships opportunities and other ESA-organised programmes for young researchers.