Traineeships

ECDC offers a traineeship programme targeted at recent university graduates who are at the beginning of their professional careers. The purpose of the programme is to provide trainees with an understanding of the Centre and its role within the activities of the European Union while also providing an opportunity to acquire practical knowledge and professional experience.

The duration of the 2024 traineeships will be between a minimum of five months and a maximum of nine months. Successful candidates will have an education and background relevant to ECDC’s activities.

Eligibility

In order to be eligible, candidates must have:

  • nationality/citizenship of an EU Member State, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein.
  • completed and been awarded a full university degree by the closing date for applications. Proof of this degree must be provided with your application.
  • a very good command of English (the language of day-to-day operations at ECDC). Knowledge of additional EU languages is considered an asset.
  • not benefited from any previous traineeship or employment (formal or informal, paid or unpaid) within any EU institution, agency, body, or delegation.

Trainees are expected to start between February and April 2024. View detailed guidelines and employment conditions for the ECDC Traineeship Programme.

Call for applications

The call for applications for the ECDC traineeship programme 2024 is closed as of 12.00 PM (noon) 18 October 2023.

Applicants who are selected for interview will be contacted as of late November 2023 and onwards.  

This page will be updated with information about the selection for the different professional areas continuously.

Please note that ECDC is unable to respond to individual requests for information about the status of an application. 

Please note that ECDC is unable to respond to individual requests for information about the status of an application.

Recruitment process

The recruitment process generally takes between 3 to 4 months and is used to fill vacant positions and establish reserve lists.

Reserve list

A reserve list of candidates may be drawn up by ECDC following the interviews and used should additional traineeship opportunities arise. It will be valid until 31 December 2024.

Traineeship grant

ECDC pays a monthly grant and a travel allowance to compensate the expenses incurred at the beginning and at the end of the traineeship from the place of residence.

The amount of the traineeship grant is decided by ECDC on an annual basis. The revised amount will apply from 1 January of the concerned year. Please note that this review can result in an increase or decrease of the traineeship grant amount.

The exact amount for the traineeship grant for 2024 has not yet been decided but will be communicated to selected candidates ahead of the interviews. For reference, the monthly 2023 traineeship grant was 2 009.09 EUR.

Tax arrangements

The traineeship programme does not entail an employment relation between the trainees and ECDC. Trainees receive a monthly grant from ECDC, but as ECDC is not the employer of the trainees, ECDC does not pay any social security contribution related to the traineeship. ECDC informs trainees that it is their responsibility to pay income taxes where due in accordance with their individual personal circumstances.

Frequently asked questions

When does the traineeship programme start?

Trainees are expected to start the programme between February and April 2024.

I applied last year but was unsuccessful – can I apply again this year?

Yes, you are welcome to apply.

Can I get feedback on my application?

Due to the volume of applications received, ECDC is only able to contact applicants who are invited to an interview.

I am not a national of an EU Member State, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein, but I have a residence permit in one of these countries – can I apply?

No. To be considered eligible, you must be a national or citizen of one of the countries mentioned. Holding a residence permit is not sufficient.

Can medical students apply for a traineeship?

Unfortunately not. To be considered eligible you must have completed your studies and been awarded a full university degree.

What can I do if my application has been rejected?

Please note that the decision of ECDC to reject an application is final and binding and there is no appeal procedure. If an application is unsuccessful, a candidate may re-apply in the following training period.

Does ECDC provide any assistance in finding accommodation in Stockholm?

ECDC is unable to provide assistance and trainees are responsible for finding their own accommodation. However, ECDC can provide you with practical advice when looking for accommodation (where to look, etc.)

Does ECDC provide health insurance?

All trainees are provided with accident insurance, but they must take out health insurance valid in Sweden prior to the start of their traineeship. Proof of this insurance will be requested prior to the start of the traineeship.

Equal opportunities

ECDC applies equal opportunities and accepts applications without distinction on the grounds of age, race, political, philosophical, or religious conviction, sex or sexual orientation and regardless of disabilities, marital status, or family situation.

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Page last updated 16 Nov 2022