Germany Launches Graduate Trainee Programme at ESA

Starting 8 April, Germany is set to roll out the German Graduate Trainee (GGT) programme, offering young German university graduates the opportunity to start their careers at the European Space Agency (ESA).

The programme will first run as a three year pilot phase beginning in March 2026, accepting six trainees annually. Over a period of up to two years, participants holding a master’s degree will join ESA as German Graduate Trainees, exploring diverse areas such as Earth observation, space exploration, satellite communications, space law, industrial policy, and more.

First unveiled by Germany’s Federal Minister for Research, Technology and Space, Dorothee Bär, at the ESA Ministerial Council in November 2025, the scheme aims to raise the number of German specialists in Europe’s space organisations and reinforce the country’s space expertise over the long term.

Upon completion, graduates can move into roles in research, industry, or other sectors, where their ESA background and networks are expected to deliver lasting value.

The German Space Agency at DLR is running the programme on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR). Job postings will be available on the ESA careers website.