JRC Scientific Traineeships is a trainee recruitment programme for early-career graduates to gain experience at the Joint Research Centre. The JRC Graduate Trainees programme provides hands-on work experience within EU research and policy environments, with placements across JRC units.
The programme is run by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission. The official recruitment site is hosted at recruitment.jrc.ec.europa.eu and contains application details, vacancy announcements and contact information for the traineeship programme.
JRC Scientific Traineeships Benefits
- Monthly allowance: The JRC confirms that its scientific traineeships are paid, with the basic monthly allowance for 2026 ranging from €1,338.20 to €1,741.20.
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JRC Scientific Traineeships Eligibility Criteria
- Eligible applicants: EU citizens and nationals of countries associated with the Research Framework Programme, subject to the specific call’s criteria
How to Apply for JRC Scientific Traineeships?
- Visit the JRC Scientific Traineeships Programme.
- Locate the call titled Call for Scientific Traineeships – March 2027 session.
- Download and read the official vacancy notice to confirm eligibility and understand the requirements.
- Prepare the requested information and supporting documents according to the call instructions.
- Log in to the recruitment portal and complete the application.
- Validate and submit the application before the deadline, ensuring that all required information is correct.
Don’t miss this deadline
Applications close on Wednesday, 28 October 2026. We’ll email you 7, 3 and 1 days before.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the JRC Scientific Traineeships. These answers explain what is available on the official recruitment page, including eligibility, benefits, deadlines and how to apply.
1. What is the JRC Scientific Traineeships Programme?
It is a programme by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) that gives recent university graduates a chance to acquire practical skills, work at the heart of EU policy support, and build a professional network in a multicultural environment.
2. Who is eligible to apply?
The programme is open to recent university graduates who have completed at least a standard 3-year higher education degree (Bachelor’s degree). Applicants must be EU citizens or nationals of countries associated with the Research Framework Programme.
3. What kind of work will I be doing?
The scheme primarily focuses on candidates with a scientific background. Depending on the assigned project, your daily responsibilities may involve desktop work and/or laboratory tasks.
4. Are JRC traineeships paid?
Yes, they are paid. The basic monthly allowance in 2026 is between €1,338.20 and €1,741.20, depending on the applicable correction coefficient of the specific site.
5. How long do the traineeships last, and when do they start?
Each traineeship session lasts for 5 months. There are two sessions per year starting in March and October.
6. Where are the traineeship locations?
Traineeships are on-site (with limited teleworking arrangements available) at one of five JRC sites: Geel (Belgium), Ispra (Italy), Karlsruhe (Germany), Petten (the Netherlands), or Seville (Spain). Candidates indicate their site preferences during the application.
7. When are applications open?
Application calls are published twice a year: in the autumn for traineeships starting in March, and in the spring for traineeships starting in October. Spontaneous applications outside of these periods are not considered.
8. Can I submit corrections or additional documents after the deadline?
No. After the deadline, you will no longer be able to modify your application. No additional information, documents, or corrections will be accepted via email.
9. Can I apply if I miss the application window or apply via email?
No, spontaneous applications or submissions sent via email are not accepted. Applications must go through the official recruitment portal during an active call period.
10. Where can I find more details or view the official rules?
You can review the full Vacancy notice
and the Rules governing the scientific traineeship programme in the JRC
directly on the JRC Recruitment Portal.
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