Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) is pleased to introduce its Internship Programme and provide current and recent students with the opportunity to intern with the SHAPE international community at Mons, Belgium. The internship programme has four main objectives: To provide interns with an opportunity to learn from the SHAPE community and gain a thorough understanding of the organisation and NATO in general. To contribute to creating a more diverse workforce through encouraging Divisions/Offices to take on interns of different nationalities, origins and backgrounds with a view, in the mid to long-term, to providing SHAPE with a younger and more diverse pool of potential future job applicants. To provide SHAPE with access to the latest theoretical and technical knowledge that the interns can apply through practical work assignments, as well as with additional staff resources. To expand understanding of NATO in Alliance countries by having interns return to their countries and/or universities after completing the internship and share their experience, as well as to help NATO branding by being an Ambassador of SHAPE.

• Assistance in drafting and preparing official documents.
• Attending and summarising council and committee meetings or conferences.
• Research.
• Supporting public relations.
• Media analysis.
• Supporting technical and administrative services.

The call for applications for SHAPE internships is open every year between 1st of March until the end of February next year. Applications received after the end of February of each year will not be considered for the next internships cycle. There is one call for applications per year with two starting dates, in January or in September the following year. The intern will have to specify whether the desired starting month of the internship is January or September.

• Age: Applicants must be over 21 years of age at the time of their application. Normally, candidates should not be over the age of 35 unless they are engaged in a PhD programme and their field of study or thesis subject is of particular benefit to SHAPE.
• Nationality: Applicants must be a citizen of a NATO member state.
• Educational Status: Candidates must have completed a first degree at university. However, depending on the project, candidates may be required to have obtained a specific degree. The programme is open to current MA/MSc and PhD students or recent graduates (degree obtained within the last 18 months).
• Languages: Proficiency in one of the two NATO official languages is essential and a working knowledge of the other is desirable. Since the working language in the headquarters is mainly English, candidates must be proficient in the use of the English language. 

No, only nationals/citizens of NATO Member States can apply to the NATO Internship Programme.

• Insurance: Interns are responsible for their own health and accident insurance. They are covered by accident insurance for occupational risks (invalidity/death) during the period of internship.
• Administrative Formalities with Belgian Authorities: Interns will be responsible for fulfilling all administrative formalities required by the host nation. In December 2006, the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs decided to introduce a special ID card for all temporary staff, consultants and interns. Thus, you do not need a visa for your internship but if you are from a non-EU country you will need a tourist visa to enter Belgium.

Yes. Whether you hold or not hold a grant or scholarship for the internship at SHAPE, this has no influence on the selection process.

Depending on the type of work to be performed, participation in the Internship Programme will normally be subject to receipt of an appropriate security clearance from your national authorities. The required time to receive the Security Clearance depends on the national rules of NATO Member States and may take from eight weeks to 18 months. The clearance process starts once you have been selected. Your national delegation will contact you with regard to your national procedures. Thus, you are strongly recommended to return all documents required as soon as possible and not to make any travel arrangements before having received your clearance.

Internships are not directly linked to recruitment.

Unfortunately the information provided under Eligibility cannot be changed or deleted. Please be informed that every candidate bears responsibility for the information provided as it creates a disadvantage for other candidates. Our eligibility criteria are outlined very clearly on our website.