Public Affairs Internship (Paid)

Why join us?

The neurotechnology landscape is evolving rapidly, raising complex questions around mental privacy, autonomy, and the nature of human agency.

Our Neurotech team explores the ethical, societal, and legal implications of these developments—especially the rise of direct-to-consumer devices and Big Tech’s increasing involvement. We translate our research into actionable policy insights and engage with policymakers, industry leaders, and civil society.

As a CFG intern, you’ll help us connect with key stakeholders, shape practical policy ideas, and foster dialogue around building a safe, trustworthy neurotech ecosystem. You’ll also contribute to the team’s growth by identifying funding opportunities and drafting grant proposals.

You will make an impact by

• Stakeholder mapping
• Identify stakeholders across policy, industry, and society that are relevant to neurotech. Maintain our contact database.
• Analyse stakeholder interests and likely positions on neurotech-related issues.
• Identify opportunities (events, conferences, debates, etc.) where our work could have an impact, or that might inform our thinking.

Outreach & engagement

• Support the team in outreach activities including drafting communication and scheduling  meetings with key stakeholders.
• Support the team with engagement preparation, including: drafting speaking points and briefing materials tailored to relevant stakeholders and goals for each engagement.
• Help identify funding opportunities, and help draft pitches and grant proposals.
• Attend events and meetings, take notes, prepare summaries, and conduct follow-up activities.

Policy & strategy support

• Monitor EU developments in innovation, science, health, digital policy and consumer protection.
• Follow relevant political debates in the European Parliament, prepare summaries and extract relevant insights.
• Stay up to date on guidelines coming out of international organisations like OECD, UNESCO, etc., as well as self-governance instruments to help ensure our policy recommendations are aligned with ethical guidelines and ongoing political developments.
• Support the team by providing insights that will help our work support societal needs and a competitive industry.

What you will need to succeed in this role

Skills & attributes

• Policy literacy – Familiarity with EU digital, tech, and health policy, the roles of institutions and stakeholders, and the broader political landscape. Able to extract key signals from policy documents and debates.
• Stakeholder engagement – Skilled at identifying and analysing relevant actors, and tailoring messaging to different audiences.
• Fundraising – Experience or interest in drafting grant proposals (working with our Senior Development Officer).
• Clear writing – Ability to neatly summarise discussions and debates, and craft compelling narratives and slide decks.
• Self-direction & organisation – Comfortable balancing several projects, meeting deadlines, and navigating evolving priorities.
• Curiosity & enthusiasm –  A proactive, inquisitive mindset and genuine interest in emerging tech and its societal implications.

Qualifications

• This is an entry-level internship for a motivated graduate.
• Minimum Bachelor’s degree, ideally a Master’s degree in Public Affairs, EU Policy, Political or Social Sciences, or a related subject.
• Native-level fluency in written and spoken English. Additional languages are positive but not required.
• Interest in science, technology, ethics, or philosophy is recommended, but a scientific background is not necessary.

About our work environment

We are a young, dynamic organisation with a startup mentality. We value initiative and creative thinking. We provide mentorship and support, but also encourage team members to take ownership of projects, try new approaches, and learn through doing. We highly value diversity of backgrounds and perspectives.

You’ll have support from our friendly team of CFG experts in policy, science, tech and communications, as well as access to our office in the heart of the European quarter.

The essentials

Six-month, full-time, paid placement, starting in late summer / early autumn 2025 (exact timing is flexible). 

The ideal candidate will be based within commuting distance of Brussels, Belgium. Remote work is negotiable depending on your profile.

Applicants must have the right to work in Belgium.

You will be mentored by and work closely with Virginia Mahieu, Neurotechnology Director. 

How to apply

The attributes listed above represent our current thinking for the role. You can be a great candidate even if you don’t fit everything we’ve described above. You can also have important skills we haven’t thought of. If that’s you – even if you’re on the fence – we encourage you to apply and tell us about yourself!

Please upload your CV and fill out a couple of questions via https://stichtingicfg.bamboohr.com/careers/62

Deadline for applications: 24/06/2025 17h CET