Internship programme funded by the European Union

The European Union funds foreign academic and practice-related internships in EU and EEA member countries. Funding is available:

• to students in the ERASMUS programme
• to graduates in the LEONARDO DA VINCI programme

The LEONARDO Thuringia Office at the TU Ilmenau is the administrator of the programme for all Thuringian institutions of higher education.

Services

• Students receive assistance with finding a financed internship which is relevant to their subject of study.
• Students receive funding for self-organised internships that are relevant to their subject of study.
• Internships at educational institutions or EU/German diplomatic missions abroad are not eligible for funding.

Target countries

• EU member states
• EFTA/EEA member states: Liechtenstein, Iceland, Norway
• Associated countries: Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey

Eligibility for participation and application requirements

• Full-time students at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar who are pursuing their first academic degree. Prerequisite: Completion of three semesters
  Please note: Students in the ERASMUS exchange programme with the mobility allowance may also apply for an ERASMUS internship. Participation in both is limited to one time only.
• Graduates who completed a full degree programme at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar

Funding

• Allowances for travel expenses, accommodation and insurance, totalling between € 350 and € 500 per month
• Language courses (for graduates), max. € 300
• Simultaneous funding from other EU programmes is not permitted.

Time and duration of internships 

• All year round based on the needs of the company offering the internship
• Students: min. 3 months to max. 12 months
  Graduates: min. 2 months to max. 6 months

Self-organised internships 

• Candidates inquire about internships at companies on their own and independently negotiate a work contract (subject area, length and compensation)
• Candidates then apply for funding (see above)
• Candidates should submit their full applications ca. 5 months before the beginning of the internship, but those who submit at shorter notice still have good chances of acceptance. In any case, all contractual agreements concerning funding must be concluded before the internship begins.

Application period and submission details

• ongoing
• submit applications to the International Office
• in urgent cases, submit directly to the LEONARDO Thuringia Office after consulting with the International Office

Application documents

Applications forms are available at www.leonardopraktika.de

• Application form (available online as a PDF)
• Letter of application
• Curriculum vitae
• Students: certificate of academic achievement (transcript)
  Graduates: copy of graduation certificate
• Letter of recommendation (original) by a member of the faculty (professor or university lecturer)
• Architecture students should include 2-3 design portfolios if they seek assistance from the LEONARDO Thuringia Office with finding an internship.

Selection process

The LEONARDO Thuringia Office checks whether the applications are correctly filled out and all required documents have been included. If the LEONARDO office procures an internship for the applicant, the office immediately begins drawing up the funding contract. If the applicant finds an internship on his/her own (self-organised internship), the LEONARDO Thuringia Office assesses whether the internship in question meets the funding requirements, and if so, begins drawing up the funding contract.  

Internship contracts

When all funding requirements are met, the LEONARDO Thuringia Office contacts the individual who will supervise the internship at the company. The LEONARDO Thuringia Office sends the company a confirmation form, and as soon as it is returned, an internship contract is drawn up.

The contract is then signed by the intern, the company offering the internship, and the LEONARDO Thuringia Office before the internship begins. The first instalment is paid to the intern before he/she travels abroad.   

If you have any other questions regarding international internships, please contact Ms. Andrea Weber at the International Office.

Contact