Traineeship in the EU Institutions and Fora Division – DG International and European Relations
Full-Time
Full-Time
Germany
General Information
Type of contract: Traineeship
Who can apply?
EU nationals eligible for the ECB traineeship programme.
Grant:
€1,170 per month plus an accommodation allowance.
Working time:
Full-time
Location:
Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Application deadline:
17 February 2026
Start date:
September 2026
Your team
You will be part of the EU Institutions and Fora Division within the Directorate General International and European Relations.
The Directorate General consists of around 120 staff members who prepare policy positions for the European Central Bank (ECB), the Eurosystem and the European System of Central Banks on European and global issues.
The EU Institutions and Fora Division has approximately 20 staff members responsible for preparing the ECB's policy positions and conducting analytical work on EU institutional and policy issues, often in close coordination with other ECB business areas.
The division provides ECB decision-makers with high-quality policy assessments supported by qualitative and quantitative research. Its work focuses on strengthening the Economic and Monetary Union, including reforming its economic governance framework and completing the Banking Union and Capital Markets Union. It also addresses other EU priorities relevant to the ECB, including climate change and digital transition.
In addition, the division serves as the ECB's primary contact point with other EU institutions. It coordinates activities related to the ECB's accountability for its central banking and supervisory tasks and prepares the ECB's participation in meetings of the European Council, the Eurogroup, ECOFIN and their preparatory bodies.
Diversity and Inclusion
The ECB is committed to being an inclusive employer and encourages applications regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, race, religion, sexual orientation or other personal characteristics.
Your role
As a trainee, you will:
Support the identification and analysis of issues related to EU integration, governance, ECB accountability and the EU's internal and external policies.
Contribute to the development of ECB policy positions using economic analysis and analytical evidence.
Conduct research, data collection and analytical work.
Assist with publications related to the division's work.
Prepare briefing notes for senior ECB staff and decision-making bodies.
Monitor and analyse the work of EU institutions, including the Council of the European Union, the European Commission and the European Parliament.
What You Will Gain
This traineeship offers an excellent opportunity to work at the forefront of European policymaking and gain first-hand experience in high-level EU institutions.
You will deepen your understanding of EU policies and interinstitutional relations while developing technical and analytical skills by working with large datasets and modern analytical tools. You will also work closely with experienced experts in political economy, international finance and macroeconomics under the guidance of a dedicated mentor.
Qualifications, experience and skills
Applicants should have:
A Bachelor's degree or higher in Economics, Econometrics, Finance, Political Science, European Studies or another relevant field.
A solid understanding of EU institutions and the functioning of the Economic and Monetary Union.
Good knowledge of macroeconomics and/or finance demonstrated through coursework or publications.
Strong MS Office skills, particularly Excel.
Experience with basic analytical tasks, including descriptive statistics, data collection and data management.
English proficiency at C1 level.
An intermediate (B1) command of at least one additional official EU language.
Desired Qualifications
The ECB values candidates with:
Experience using statistical or econometric software such as Stata, R, Python or MATLAB.
Experience using data visualisation software such as Tableau.
Experience conducting qualitative and/or quantitative research, particularly on policy-related topics.
Personal Profile
The ideal candidate is curious, eager to learn and capable of analysing complex information. You enjoy collaborating with others, value diverse perspectives and are proactive in identifying stakeholder needs and proposing solutions.
You are motivated to contribute to the ECB's mission of serving EU citizens and are enthusiastic about working in a multicultural and international environment.
Traineeship Duration
The initial traineeship lasts six months, with the possibility of an extension for up to a total of twelve months.
The expected start date is September 2026.
Recruitment Process
The recruitment process includes:
A remote written exercise during the pre-selection phase.
An online interview for shortlisted candidates.
Further details about the application process are available on the ECB website.
Reserve List
Candidates who are not selected for this position but are considered suitable may be placed on a reserve list for 12 months following the application deadline. During this period, they may be considered for other traineeship opportunities within the ECB.
