What is a traineeship?

The aims of the traineeship at FRA are:

• To provide trainees an understanding of the objectives and activities of the Agency’s role in ensuring full respect for fundamental rights across the EU.
• To enable trainees to acquire practical experience and knowledge of the day-to-day work of FRA Units.
• To provide the opportunity to work in a multi-cultural, multi linguistic and multi-ethnic environment, contributing to the development of mutual understanding, trust and tolerance.
• To promote European integration wit through active participation to create awareness of true European values.
• To enable trainees to put into practice knowledge acquired during their studies, and in particular in their specific areas of competence.
• To introduce these graduates to the professional world and the constraints, duties and opportunities therein.
• To allow trainees to contribute to the Agency’s mission in helping to make fundamental rights a reality for everyone in the EU.

Who can apply?

The traineeship is offered to recent university graduates (trainees must have obtained a bachelor-level university degree at least one month before starting the traineeship) and persons who would benefit from initial work experience, without excluding those who have recently obtained a university diploma or are at the beginning of a new professional career. To be eligible for a traineeship, you must have completed your most recent studies no more than three years prior to the deadline for applications.

For candidates of Romani background, a university degree is not mandatory. Roma eligibility criteria can be found in Article 2(4) of the traineeship rules. Please indicate in your application form if you come from the Roma community so that your application can be assessed correctly.

Trainees are selected from nationals of the Member States of the European Union (27), EEA EFTA States (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway), EU candidates (Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova and Ukraine) and potential candidate countries (Georgia and Kosovo*).

Trainees are requested to have a very good knowledge of English (B2).

Traineeship places are offered in the following organisational entities. The main tasks are mentioned in order to help making your choice of the unit most appropriate to your background:

• Corporate Services** (CS)
  • Human Resources (HR)
  • Digital Services and Facilities (DS&F)
  • Finance and Contracting (F&C)
  • Planning and Monitoring (P&M)
  • EU Agencies Network Coordination (EUAN)
• Justice, Digital and Migration (JDM)
• Equality, Roma and Social Rights (ERSR)
• Communications and Events (COMMS)
• Institutional Cooperation and Networks (INST)
• Data Protection Office (DPO)
• Director's Office (DIR)

For detailed information about the eligibility criteria as well as the rights and duties of the trainees, please consult our Rules governing the traineeship programme at FRA and the FAQ. We recommend you read them carefully before submitting your application.

How to apply

Please note that the selection procedure for the Traineeship Programme is now open. The deadline for applications is 17 June 2024 at 13:00 CET. Applications must be submitted via the Agency's e-recruitment platform.

* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence.

** Candidates that apply to the Corporate Services Unit must also select to which area of work they want to apply.