DigiQ Internships

The DigiQ Internship Program, part of the DigiQ: Digitally Enhanced European Quantum Technology Master project, offers financial support primarily for students enrolled in relevant Master's programs associated with the DigiQ network or recent graduates from such programs. The application deadline is set for March 31, 2026, at 17:00 Brussels time, with all internships expected to conclude by September 30, 2026. The overall funding for the program amounts to €925,000, with a cap of €6,120 awarded to each student. A total of 250 internships are planned.

Financial support varies according to the host country's grouping: Group 1 (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Sweden, United Kingdom, Liechtenstein, Norway) offers up to €900 per month; Group 2 (Austria, Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Greece, Spain, Cyprus, Netherlands, Malta, Portugal) provides up to €800 per month; and Group 3 (Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, North Macedonia, Turkey) gives up to €700 per month. Additional aid is available to disadvantaged students and those receiving other financial support.

To qualify for the internship funding, students must show affiliation with the DigiQ network, and they must apply through their institutions. The application process requires submission of documentation such as a motivation letter, CV, and a statement of support from the host group. Applications will be evaluated based on academic qualifications, research excellence, and leadership potential.

The selection process incorporates guidelines for diversity, equity, and inclusion, aiming for diverse representation among the applicants and in the mobility committees that assess applications. Criteria for selection include academic performance, clear motivation, relevant experience, and potential contributions to the field.

The program is designed to help students gain practical experience in quantum technology, which is aligned with the goals of developing skills in specialized education areas. The integration of Digital Europe Programme objectives enhances the focus on advancing educational opportunities across the EU and eligible candidate countries. The internship opportunities are advertised through various DigiQ platforms and local coordinators will handle the selection process, ensuring that all procedures are conducted fairly and transparently.

For more comprehensive details on the internships and application processes, interested individuals can visit the DigiQ website.

The DigiQ Internship Program offers financial support to students enrolled in relevant Master Degree Programmes to participate in internships. This program is part of the DigiQ: Digitally Enhanced European Quantum Technology Master project, funded under Grant Agreement No: 101084035, topic DIGITAL-2021-SKILLS-01-SPECIALISED - Specialised education programmes in key capacity areas. The deadline for applications is March 31, 2026, at 17:00 Brussels time, and all internships must be completed by September 30, 2026.

The total funding available across the entire consortium is €925,000. A maximum of 250 internships will be awarded, with a maximum funding of €6,120 available for a single student.

The funding available for individual internships depends on the location of the host institution for in-person participation or the home institution for virtual participation.

Group 1 countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Sweden, United Kingdom, Liechtenstein, Norway) can receive up to €900 per month.
Group 2 countries (Austria, Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Greece, Spain, Cyprus, Netherlands, Malta, Portugal) can receive up to €800 per month.
Group 3 countries (Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia Slovakia, Slovenia, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey) can receive up to €700 per month.

Additional considerations include:

Disadvantaged students receive an additional €120 per month.
Students already receiving financial support from other programs can receive a top-up of up to €100 above the maximum rate of the host country.
For virtual participation, the financial support is €150 less than the rate of the home institution's country.

To be eligible for funding, students must be enrolled in a relevant Master Degree Programme and be part of a DigiQ network, be committed to joining a DigiQ network at the next possible date, or be a recent graduate with a certification from a DigiQ network. Applications will be evaluated based on the student’s activity in the DigiQ environment and their academic performance both inside and outside the DigiQ Environment.

Institutional mobility is required for mobility support, meaning the home and host institutions must be different. There are different types of mobility support:

Curricular mobility: ECTS credits are received for participation.
Extracurricular mobility: ECTS credits are not received for participation.
Living mobility payment: Applicable if the student needs to move to a new address to attend the program (payment up to regional maximum either as stipend or refund).
Non-living mobility payment: Applicable if the student does not need to move to a new address to attend the program (around €300 monthly).

Internship opportunities are advertised through DigiQ Track, via the DigiQ networks, and by local coordinators. Specific details on the application process vary depending on the DigiQ partner offering the internship.

When awarding internships, local coordinators are expected to:

Form a local mobility committee that aligns with DigiQ DEI guidelines to evaluate student applications.
Locally advertise opportunities for DigiQ mobility funding in line with guidelines on DigiQ track.
Identify potential funding sources (either the home, host, or another institution in the DigiQ consortium).
Notify the WP4 Leader before finalizing local mobility committee funding decisions.

Required documentation includes:

Motivation letter stating the value of the internship for the student and the network.
CV.
Statement of support from the host group.
Applicants should check the host institution's information for specific additional requirements and information with the local coordinator.

The selection process is based on merit, considering academic qualifications and research excellence relative to the opportunities the candidate has had.

The local representative will verify eligibility based on the following criteria:

Is the student enrolled in a DigiQ network?
Is the host institution a DigiQ Partner?
Is funding available from the home institution?
Is funding available from the host institution?

Selection will be carried out by the Mobility Panel (after the ramp-up phase) or the WP leader (during the ramp-up phase). Candidates will be evaluated based on submitted documentation.

Evaluation criteria include:

Academic Performance:
Grades (total 3 points)
Motivation letter & Course Plan / Learning Agreement (total 3 points):
Clear motivation and research interests (2 points)
Match with chosen network event (1 point)
CV (total 3 points):
Prizes, awards, fellowships (1 point)
Previous research experience (1 point)
Publications / other outstanding features of CV (1 point)
Background and Experience (total 3 points):
Candidate has sufficient background / training for attending network event; take into account statement of support.
Learning Potential & Community Service (total 3 points):
Candidate demonstrates potential for leadership and / or experience in leadership roles, including supervision of students, and / or has a record of impact on the scientific community (e.g. in student chapters, outreach activities etc.)

Excellence and output should be evaluated relative to the candidate's experience and opportunities, considering factors such as gender, disability, educational opportunities, socio-economic background, and refugee status.

Mobility Guidelines to ensure Diversity, Equity and Inclusion:

Mobility committees should follow guidelines encompassing structure, gender representation, delineation of responsibilities and roles, inclusive decision-making protocols, communication procedures, and avenues for appeals.

All Mobility Committees should actively aim to have equal gender representation (e.g. at least 40% men, 40% women, and 20% of any gender).
All Mobility Committees should actively and repeatedly seek to encourage students from underrepresented gender with the aim to have an equal gender representation (e.g. at least 40% men, 40% women, and 20% of any gender).
20% of the mobility funding needs to be reserved for under-represented groups.
The mobility committee should comprise members from diverse backgrounds, mobility experiences, and perspectives to promote a broad range of viewpoints and minimize bias.
All members of mobility committees should have equal voting/grading rights.
Designate an experienced chair who can lead the committee effectively and foster cooperation among members.
Use physical or digital tools to document proceedings thoroughly during discussions, interviews, and deliberations to ensure accuracy and transparency.
Thoroughly report to the DigiQ Executive Board on practices to assign mobility funding and incorporation of DEI guidelines.

The Work package 4 Leader will be informed about all successful applications by partner local representatives.

DigiQ Partners providing funding include: Aarhus University, Fundacio Institut de Ciencies Fotoniques, Ceske Vysoke Uceni Technice V Praze, Københavns Universitet, Ruprecht-Karls Universitaet Heidelberg, Universite Paris-Saclay, Ecole Normale Superieure, Universitat de Barcelona, Rheinisch-Wesfaelische Technische Hochschule Aachen, Universitite de Strasbourg, Universidad Autonoma de Barcelona, Sorbonne Universite, Deloitte Technology De Troyes, Instituto Superior Tecnico.

More information regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion policies can be found in the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion guidelines, Inclusive Communications guidelines, and Selection guidelines.

Details about the internships can be found at https://www.digiq.eu/mobility?network=GIEIP. Applications can be submitted through https://www.digiq.eu/track/database?tab=Internships.

In summary, the DigiQ Internship Program provides financial assistance to Master's students for internships related to quantum technology. The program aims to support student mobility and provide opportunities for students to gain experience in the field. Funding amounts vary based on the host country, and eligibility criteria include enrollment in a relevant Master's program and affiliation with a DigiQ network. The selection process considers academic performance, research experience, and potential for leadership, with a strong emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion. The program is designed to enhance specialized education in key capacity areas within quantum technology, fostering a diverse and inclusive environment for all participants.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are students enrolled in a relevant Master Degree Programme who are part of a DigiQ network, are committed to joining a DigiQ network at the next possible date, or are recent graduates with a certification from a DigiQ network.

Funding Type: The funding type is a grant, specifically cascade funding provided through the DigiQ project to support student internships.

Consortium Requirement: A single applicant (student) is required, but they must be associated with the DigiQ network, implying a connection to a consortium of institutions. Institutional mobility is required, meaning the home and host institutions must be different.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility is tied to the location of the host institution for in-person internships and the home institution for virtual internships. Funding amounts vary based on country groupings: Group 1 (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Sweden, United Kingdom, Liechtenstein, Norway), Group 2 (Austria, Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Greece, Spain, Cyprus, Netherlands, Malta, Portugal), and Group 3 (Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey).

Target Sector: The target sector is specialized education programs in key capacity areas, specifically within the realm of digitally enhanced European Quantum Technology.

Mentioned Countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Sweden, United Kingdom, Liechtenstein, Norway, Austria, Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Greece, Spain, Cyprus, Netherlands, Malta, Portugal, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey.

Project Stage: The project stage is validation, demonstration, and potentially early-stage development, as the internships are intended to provide practical experience and contribute to the student's learning within the quantum technology field.

Funding Amount: The funding amount is variable, with a maximum of €6,120 per student. The monthly stipend varies based on the host country, with a maximum of €900 per month for Group 1 countries, €800 per month for Group 2 countries, and €700 per month for Group 3 countries. Additional funding is available for disadvantaged students (€120 per month) and as a top-up for students receiving other financial support (up to €100 per month). The total funding available across the entire consortium is €925,000.

Application Type: The application type is an open call, with internship opportunities advertised through DigiQ Track, via the DigiQ networks, and by local coordinators.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a stipend to support their participation in the internship program.

Application Stages: The application process appears to be a single-stage process, involving an eligibility check by the local representative and a selection process carried out by the Mobility Panel or the WP leader.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned, but the document states that a maximum of 250 internships will be awarded.

Co-funding Requirement: Co-funding is not explicitly required, but students receiving financial support from other programs or organizations can receive a top-up. Funding is provided by the students' home, host, or other DigiQ partner.

The DigiQ Internship Program offers financial support to Master's students and recent graduates within the DigiQ network to participate in internships related to digitally enhanced European Quantum Technology. The program aims to provide students with practical experience and enhance their skills in this specialized field. Funding is available for both in-person and virtual internships, with the amount varying based on the location of the host or home institution. The application process involves submitting a motivation letter, CV, and statement of support, and selection is based on academic qualifications, research excellence, and potential for leadership and community service. The program emphasizes diversity, equity, and inclusion, with specific guidelines for mobility committees to ensure fair representation and opportunities for underrepresented groups. The total funding available for the program is €925,000, with a maximum of €6,120 available per student and a goal of awarding 250 internships. The deadline for applications is March 31, 2026, and all internships must be completed by September 30, 2026.