BRiDGE Step II aims to support researchers in danger to develop a career path that matches their goals and experience. For those who consider a career in the non-academic sector or an entrepreneurial career, an internship position could be a first step into the professional field that they aspire to join. Internships connect researchers in danger with European employers and provide them with the opportunity to evaluate and put in practice their knowledge and skills in their field of research. Furthermore, they can get an insight into their career opportunities outside academia and gain access a network of professionals and organisations, crucial for integrating into the labour market.To minimise barriers and encourage more to take part in an internship opportunity, the BRiDGE − Step II project has set up a grant scheme that aims to provide a financial support to the researcher in danger during the internship.
The BRiDGE Step II Internship programme is launched as a pilot programme; it will run on a limited scale with a budget for up to 45 internship months. Different methods and approaches will be explored and evaluated for their effectiveness and successful outcomes. On December 5, 2019 a networking event gathering researchers in danger, companies, organisations and other relevant stakeholders will be held in Gothenburg, Sweden. The quality of the first round of internships will be assessed, issues and challenges identified and recommendations for improvement of the programme will be presented. The pilot programme is designed to lead to an established and sustainable structure that bridges researchers in danger and potential employers in the non-academic sector.
For companies and organisations
As a host organisation you shall commit to
- Give researchers in danger the opportunity to broaden and deepen their professional experience and skills
- Entrust them with meaningful tasks that contribute to the operational and or strategic development of your organisation's development
- Expose them to relevant people and organisations that can support their career.
If your organisation is interested in getting involved, either by offering internship positions for researchers in danger or by sharing expertise and best practices to implement successful internship programmes, please contact us at Bridge2Internship@gu.se and bridge.coordinator@uni-bielefeld.de.
Duration
The internship should last at least two months and on a full-time basis. Although there is no limit to the length of the internship, please note that the BRiDGE-Step II Internship grant covers for a maximum of six months per intern.