Agency
24/04/2026
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The European Space Agency is pleased to announce the opening of the National Graduate Trainee (NGT) Programme for 2026. The first opportunities will be available for Germany, followed by Poland, with additional ESA Member States expected to publish positions progressively throughout the year.
What is the National Graduate Trainee (NGT) Programme?
The National Graduate Trainee Programme (NGT) is ESA’s newest entry-level programme and closely mirrors the ESA Graduate Trainee (EGT) Programme in most aspects, with one key difference: NGT positions are funded by individual ESA Member States through bilateral partnership agreements with ESA.
This means that eligibility depends on the country sponsoring each position.
Key characteristics of NGT positions:
Sponsored by individual ESA Member States through national agreements with ESA
Open to citizens and permanent residents* of the sponsoring country (*permanent residents must have citizenship of an ESA Member State, Associate Member, European Cooperating State or Canada)
Offers a graduate-level entry pathway similar in structure and learning experience to the EGT Programme
Opportunities may open at different times throughout the year depending on national participation
The NGT Programme provides graduates with the opportunity to gain experience on real ESA projects, develop technical and professional skills and contribute to Europe’s space activities within an international environment.
For 2026, the first NGT opportunities have opened and will remain open for applications for one month. The same timeline will apply for any additional countries joining throughout the year.
Countries currently open for applications
(List will be updated as opportunities go live. Because NGT opportunities depend on national participation, not all Member States sponsor positions every year).
How the NGT compares to other ESA early-career programmes
ESA offers a number of entry-level programmes and ultimately, your path into the space sector begins with selecting the programme that aligns with your experience and aspirations. ESA also offers other opportunities such as student internships, research fellowships and co-funded research. One of them could be your path to space!
If you’re unsure if the NGT Programme is right for you, quickly find out which ESA programme could be the best fit for you by following the pathways at ESA on our entry-level flowchart, then read on to find out more about that programme in detail. If it is a match for your profile and interests, you could be the candidate we are looking for and we encourage you to consider applying!
How to stay informed and apply
All applications must be submitted through ESA’s official careers portal.
To maximise your chances:
Create your candidate profile early
Upload an up-to-date CV and motivation letter
Activate job alerts
Regularly check eligibility criteria
Monitor newly published NGT opportunities as additional countries join the programme during the year
Given the competitiveness of ESA programmes, preparation and timing are key.
Stay up to date with the latest opportunities by visiting the ESA Careers website, subscribing to careers news and following ESA on LinkedIn.
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