Internship•Netherlands · The Hague

HCSS General Internship

Funding

Partial / Stipend

Program dates

Jul 31, 2026

The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies (HCSS) is an independent strategic-research institute (think tank) in The Hague working on geopolitics, defence, security, governance, climate and energy. Its General Internship places interns as full team members on live research projects — conducting background research, collecting and analysing data, co-writing reports and papers, providing administrative support, and helping organise conferences. The internship is full-time (40 hours a week) and in person at the HCSS office in The Hague, with a preferred length of six months. Interns are mentored and receive a reference letter on completion.

Benefits & funding

  • Monthly allowance of €675
  • Six-month placement (shorter periods negotiable), 40 hours per week
  • Work as a full team member on live HCSS research projects
  • Mentoring for personal and professional development
  • Reference letter on completion
  • Networking with Dutch and international policy professionals

Eligibility

  • Must be enrolled as a university student for the entire internship period (Bachelor or Master)
  • Must already hold the documentation needed to study or work in the Netherlands — HCSS does not provide visa sponsorship (EU citizens qualify automatically; non-EU applicants must already be authorised)
  • No more than four hours a week of ongoing university classes during the internship
  • Fluent English; a first-rate academic background and strong analytical, writing and communication skills
  • Open to all nationalities and all fields of study

Application process

  1. 1
    Prepare a single PDF containing: a CV with at least two references, a cover letter, proof of enrolment valid for the whole internship, an official academic transcript (Bachelor mandatory, Master if applicable), and a one-page writing sample answering one of three set questions.
  2. 2
    Email the PDF to internship@hcss.nl with the subject line “General Internship /2026” before the deadline.
  3. 3
    Shortlisted candidates are interviewed about 2–3 weeks after the deadline; all applicants hear the outcome around one month after the closing date.

Program timeline

  1. Application deadline (Sunday, 12:00)

    Jul 5, 2026

  2. Interviews (2–3 weeks after the deadline)

    2026-07 to 2026-08

  3. Internship starts

    End July – mid-August 2026

  4. Results communicated (about one month after the deadline)

    Around 2026-08