Deadline:
April 30, 2025
Program Starts: January 01, 2026
Program Ends: December 31, 2026
Location(s)
Portugal United States of America
JALLC, Lisbon; HQ SACT – Norfolk, Virginia
Overview
The HQ SACT Internship Programme 2026 aims to provide a small number of current or recent students with the opportunity to 'intern' with HQ SACT in Norfolk, Virginia, HQ SACT, Staff Element Europe, Mons, Belgium, SACT Representative in Europe, Brussels, Belgium or at the Joint Analysis Lessons Learned Centre (JALLC) in Monsanto, Lisbon, Portugal.
Interns will benefit by gaining understanding of an International Organization, while substantiating their Curriculum Vitae. All internship placements will be for a six-month period, with start dates to be determined individually as interns cannot start their internship without their NATO Secret security clearance, and the timing for the completion of clearances varies by nation.
Details
Internship Programme Specialty Areas
HQ SACT – Norfolk, Virginia, USA
- Analysis of Alternatives
- Defence Planning Integration
- Joint Doctrine and Lessons Learned Branch
- Office of International Affairs
- Office of the Legal Advisor
- Strategic Issues and Engagement
JALLC, Lisbon, Portugal
- JALLC Editor/Quality Assurance (2 posts)
- JALLC Lessons Learned Analysis Division (2 posts)
Applicants must review the “Job Descriptions” for each of these speciality areas for specific details on each area to help them determine which (if any) Job Descriptions are of interest to them. Please note that when filling out an application for the 2026 ACT Internship Programme, applicants are required to provide their “top five” choices for placement by selecting the relevant Job Description, and also indicate whether the applicant would also be prepared to be placed in a position that is not one of their “top five”.
Programme Objectives
To provide the Organization with access to the latest theoretical and technical knowledge that the intern can apply through practical work assignments, as well as with additional staff resources.
To provide interns with an opportunity to learn from the HQ SACT or JALLC community and get a better understanding and a more balanced view of the Organization.
To expand understanding of ACT, JALLC and NATO in Alliance countries.
Opportunity is About
Eligibility
Candidates should be from:
Description of Ideal Candidate
Eligibility Criteria and Conditions for Internship
2026 Interns will be either current post graduate students or recent post graduates who have obtained their post graduate degree as of 1 January 2025.
- Age: Over 21 at the time of internship (for insurance reasons) and not older than 35 at the time of application;
- Nationality: Nationals of a NATO member country;
- Languages: The two official languages of NATO are English and French, however the work both oral and written in this Headquarters as a whole is conducted mainly in English.
- Insurance and Immigration Requirements: Interns are required to have health insurance coverage, and take care of formalities with the U.S. authorities regarding their stay in the United States.
- Security Clearance: All interns will require a security clearance from their national authorities prior to starting their internship at HQ SACT or JALLC.
Dates
Deadline: April 30, 2025
Program starts:
January 01, 2026
Program ends:
December 31, 2026
Program Starts: January 01, 2026
Program Ends: December 31, 2026
Cost/funding for participants
Remuneration
Interns will be paid a lump sum of approximately $1,350 per month (€900 per month for JALLC interns) and will be reimbursed for travel costs on joining and separation from the Headquarters, subject to the internship regulations in force. The payment is not exempt from taxation.
Applicants are advised that the cost of living accommodation and transportation rates in the Norfolk area are very high and it is extremely difficult for interns to live on their monthly internship stipend alone.
Un-save Opportunity
Internships, scholarships, student conferences and competitions.
