The NATO Internship Programme places interns for six months in the International Staff, the International Military Staff and select NATO agencies at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. Interns work across areas such as political affairs, defence and security, innovation, operations and communications, gaining first-hand experience inside the Alliance. The call for applications opens once a year, around April to May, and placements begin in March or September of the following year. Positions are full-time at 38 hours per week; there are no summer or part-time internships. The 2026 call closed on 30 April 2026, and the next call is expected in spring 2027 for 2028 placements.
Benefits & funding
- Monthly stipend of EUR 1,335 (2026 rate, adjusted annually for inflation).
- Prepaid economy flight or train ticket to Brussels worth up to EUR 1,200, or reimbursement for travel by car.
- 15 paid leave days over the six-month internship.
- Six months of professional experience inside an international organisation.
Eligibility
- Citizen of one of the 32 NATO member countries. Nationals of NATO partner countries are advised to contact their country’s mission at NATO Headquarters or embassy in Brussels about separate arrangements.
- At least 21 years old; there is no maximum age limit.
- Either enrolled in at least the third year of university studies (with two years completed), or holding your highest degree obtained less than one year before, or enrolled in a master’s or PhD programme.
- Proficient in one of NATO’s two official languages, English or French; working knowledge of the second is an asset.
- Able to obtain a national security clearance, which typically takes six to eight months.
Can you apply?
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Eligible nationalities
Albania · Belgium · Bulgaria · Canada · Croatia · Czechia · Denmark · Estonia · Finland · France · Germany · Greece
+ 20 more
Hungary · Iceland · Italy · Latvia · Lithuania · Luxembourg · Montenegro · Netherlands · North Macedonia · Norway · Poland · Portugal · Romania · Slovakia · Slovenia · Spain · Sweden · Türkiye · UK · USA
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Education required
Bachelor Enrolled · Bachelor · Master Enrolled · Master · PhD Enrolled
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Age requirement
≥ 21 yrs
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We only check the criteria we have data for. Always confirm full eligibility on the official page before applying.
Application process
- 1Apply online through NATO’s TALEO e-recruitment portal during the annual application window (around April–May); you may apply to a maximum of three internship positions.
- 2Applications are screened in the month after the deadline; shortlisted candidates receive a HireVue invitation to complete interactive business games and a recorded video interview within two weeks.
- 3Interviews take place around June–July, with final selections made between July and September.
- 4Selected candidates receive a conditional offer letter via TALEO, then complete the national security clearance process (usually six to eight months).
- 5Before starting, interns arrange health insurance and the documentation for a Belgian special identity card.
Program timeline
25 March 2026
2026 call for applications opened
30 April 2026
2026 application deadline (call now closed)
screening and interviews
June–July
final selections
July–September
internships begin
March or September 2027
next call for applications expected to open
Spring 2027