A sneak peek into the world of Blue Book trainees at the European Research Executive Agency!

Hello! We are Karolina and Dimitar, external communication trainees at the European Research Executive Agency (REA). We’re happy to have been selected as REA trainees, and trust us, we recommend this experience!

We would like to introduce to you a career enhancing opportunity that you won’t regret taking. From 19 February you can apply for a five-month paid traineeship at REA in Brussels, Belgium. The traineeship is part of the European Commission’s Blue Book traineeship scheme, open to eligible candidates. If you apply for the autumn session, your traineeship journey will start in October 2024 and finish at the end of February 2025.

REA is looking for motivated trainees with skills, competences, and experience in:

• Project management, in particular related to the various research areas managed by REA
• Communication, including science communication and social media
• Policy, with a focus on EU policymaking and priorities
• Administration and reporting

Interested? Don’t forget to read the application procedure carefully and keep an eye out for the traineeship positions our Agency offers.

Why REA?

1. You are at the heart of innovation

Ever dreamt of being at the forefront of cutting-edge research and innovation? Say no more! REA manages projects in virtually all domains of research and innovation (R&I), thereby supporting the EU’s research and innovation policy and feeding into its political priorities. This includes managing large parts of Horizon Europe, among other programmes. As a REA trainee, you are not just a spectator; you are part of the engine driving Europe's research landscape forward. Your ideas matter and your input is appreciated.

I’m contributing to implementing the Reforming European Research and Innovation part of Horizon Europe. This traineeship offers me a great opportunity to learn all about evaluation, funding, and management of projects that aim to execute the Commission’s policies.

_{Marian, October 2023 trainee in project management in the Future Society Department}

2. Diversity, Diversity, Diversity

Get ready to meet bright minds from many corners of Europe - and beyond. REA is a melting pot of cultures, ideas, and perspectives. Working alongside brilliant minds with different backgrounds will not only broaden your horizons and sharpen your interpersonal skills but also make your coffee breaks way more interesting. To get yourself started, you can check out our latest video highlighting diversity and inclusion at REA!

At REA, I'm working on analysing sustainability in different projects that work in promoting EU agri-food products around the world. It's fascinating to see how this programme feeds into EU priorities such as the Farm2Fork and the Green Deal.

_{Helmi, October 2023 trainee in Agri-Food promotion, Environmental Observation and Innovative Governance}

3.  Learning never ends

Whether you're a fresh graduate or a seasoned researcher, the learning curve at REA is no joke. You'll learn from your colleagues every day, have the chance to attend trainings, and get hands-on experience that beats any textbook. Think of it as an exciting educational experience, highly valuable to your future career.

I'm assisting my colleagues in the management of EU-funded projects throughout their project cycle, from coordination of project evaluations to managing legal and financial files. It’s exciting to witness how my units' work contributes to the European Union's priorities.

_{Maurice, October 2023 trainee in project management for Secure Society}

4. Networking – the fun kind

In Brussels, networking isn't just a buzzword - it's a lifestyle. From casual chats in the cafeteria to international conferences, you'll be building connections that can last a lifetime. Who knows, your future employer or mentor might just be sitting across from you at lunch!

We are actively engaged in communicating about funding opportunities and the far-reaching impact of research funded through Horizon Europe. The traineeship experience helped us to strengthen our teamwork and communication skills and grow as professionals.

_{Dimitar and Karolina, October 2023 trainees in External Communication and Feedback to Policy}

… and much more!

Dear future trainees, as you can see, the journey that awaits you at REA is nothing short of extraordinary. Between 2021 and 2027, the agency is set to manage a staggering €22.7 billion in EU funds for groundbreaking projects, aligning with the Commission's pivotal policy objectives and the EU Missions under Horizon Europe.

Curious to know more? Dive into the corporate brochure for an in-depth look at our vision, values and programmes. For real-time updates on the dynamic world of research check our LinkedIn as well as our X accounts @REA_research and @EUgreenresearch.

Cheers to innovation and new opportunities!

The REA External Communication Trainees, October 2023 – February 2024.