The European Commission has decided to expand access to one of its most prestigious internship programs. Starting from the call corresponding to March 2027, graduates of Vocational Training (FP) and other pathways of education and vocational training (VET, for its initials in English) will be able to apply, for the first time, for the known Blue Book internships, which until now were mainly aimed at university graduates.
The reform is part of the update of the regulatory framework of the community institution's internship program and seeks to make it more inclusive, adapting it to European objectives in terms of employment and skills development.
The Blue Book internships open to new profiles
The main novelty is that the Commission officially recognizes the value of Vocational Training as a pathway to access the labor market and also to European institutions.
With this change, FP graduates will be able to gain professional experience within the community administration on equal terms with other academic profiles, a measure that Brussels frames within the strategy of the so-called Union of Skills.
According to the Commission, the goal is for the program to better reflect the diversity of talent existing in the European Union and to facilitate access to high-level professional opportunities.
Better economic conditions for interns
The update of the rules also introduces changes in the economic conditions of the program.
Brussels has reviewed the system of scholarships and financial aid with the purpose of reducing the financial barriers that may hinder the participation of some candidates. The intention is to favor that people from different educational backgrounds and from all member states can access the program.
More guarantees against harassment and discrimination
The new regulatory framework also incorporates measures aimed at strengthening the protection of participants.
Among them are specific provisions against harassment and discrimination, as well as a greater commitment to equal treatment and the creation of a work environment based on respect and dignity.
The Commission also wants to improve the geographical balance among participants to favor a broader representation of all countries in the European Union.
A single framework to simplify the program
So far, the practices were regulated by various independent decisions. The reform unifies all the regulations into a single text, with the aim of facilitating its understanding for both the applicants and the services of the Commission itself and making administrative management more efficient.
When applications can be submitted
The new rules will begin to apply in the edition that will start in March 2027.
The application period for that call will remain open between July 22 and September 4, 2026.
One of the most competitive internship programs in the EU
The Blue Book internships constitute the reference scholarship program of the European Commission. Each year they receive around 36,000 applications and offer nearly 2,000 places distributed among the Commission itself, fourteen agencies and bodies of the European Union, and the European External Action Service.
The program allows participants to gain firsthand knowledge of the functioning of European institutions, work in a multicultural environment, and acquire professional experience in community administration. With the inclusion of vocational training graduates, Brussels now expands the range of profiles that can apply for one of the most sought-after scholarships in the European field.