Are you passionate about environmental issues and eager to make a difference? IEEP is looking for a motivated and dedicated student to join our strategic partnership team for a maximum of 12-weeks programme. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the non-profit sector while contributing to meaningful engagements with European policymakers and stakeholders, learning from a small but very dedicated strategic partnerships team.
The Strategic Partnerships team is a horizontal team at IEEP, working on a number of themes supporting outreach and coordination with the different IEEP thematic programs. Among others, this includes work on climate change, agriculture and land use, biodiversity and ecosystems, and circular economy. This internship opportunity would thus provide an excellent opportunity for hands-on learning from a horizontal perspective with opportunities for in-depth work on more specific topics when appropriate. IEEP is also the coordinator of many initiatives, such as the Think Sustainable Europe network (IEEP membership network of sustainability think tanks) and the Think2030, through which it brings together stakeholders from think tanks, interest groups and industry representatives across Europe with very different backgrounds.
Our student placement programme is designed to give students the opportunity to engage in meaningful work within one of IEEP’s teams for a period of 10-12 weeks. The placements are open to students who have the obligation of conducting a certain number of working hours within an organisation as part of their ongoing studies. Graduate applicants will not be considered in the scope of this call. Graduate applicants seeking their first employment are encouraged to apply for our paid internships once they are published throughout the year.
Position Title: Student placement, Strategic partnerships
Location: In-person / on-site in Brussels – 2 days a week in the office (Rue du Commerce 72, 1040 Brussels, Belgium)
Duration: 12 weeks (3 months) minimum, ideally more
Commitment: Minimum 22.8 hours per week (3 full days)
Start Date: February 2026
Requirements:
- Currently enrolled in a relevant field of study which requires completion of obligatory work placement as part of curricula (Political Science, International Affairs, Environmental Studies, or related disciplines)
- Have a general interest in environmental, climate, or EU-related topics.
- Be generally familiar with how EU institutions work.
- Be willing to take initiative and adapt to different tasks as needed.
- Have basic organisational and time-management abilities.
- Have general computer literacy, especially with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and social media.
The applicant must be available to come in person to IEEP’s Brussels office and actively enrolled in a course with an accredited academic institution and, as such, is covered under their institution’s insurance policies. Participation in this programme constitutes a student placement and does not create an employment relationship with IEEP. Accordingly, IEEP assumes no responsibility for insurance coverage, medical expenses, or any related liabilities arising during the placement period.
If you’re ready to contribute your skills to support important environmental research and gain valuable experience in the advising policymakers on environmental policies, we want to hear from you!
Application process
Please send your resume, a cover letter, to recruitment@ieep.eu mentioning in the subject line: Student Strategic Partnerships Team. Review of the applications will be on a rolling basis as soon as they are received, and it will continue until the position is filled.
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