BECOME AN ASSISTANT AT THE EFA26

25 Mar, 2025

EFA26

Do you still reminisce about the conversations, ideas, and exchanges during the Seminar Days in Alpbach? Now is your chance to return as an assistant and help shape the experience for the next generation of participants during the Academy Days.  

Each year, the EFA brings together a diverse group of scholarship holders to participate in the Academy Days, where participants explore the key European challenges in an intensive learning environment. 

To support this experience, we are looking for assistants who help facilitate the exchange between participants and chairs and contribute to creating an engaging and collaborative group atmosphere. 

Applications are open from 7-27 April 2026, 2 PM (CEST).

Scholarship holders attend a seminar on "Power, Activism, and Change" with Alberto Alemanno (HEC Paris).
Participants at a Brown Bag Lunch.
Discussion of Europe's place in the world with (f.l.t.r.) Wolfgang Ischinger (President of the Foundation Council, Munich Security Conference Foundation), Peter Bosek (CEO, Erste Group), Corinna Milborn (Director of Information, ProSiebenSat1Puls4), Beate Meinl-Reisinger (Austrian Federal Minister for European and International Affairs), Jan Lipavský (Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs), and Oana Țoiu (Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs).
Participants engage in a hike and discussion with Armin Laschet (Member and Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the German Bundestag and Co-Chair of the EFA Strategic Advisory Council), focusing on the mainstreaming of extremism.
Fatou Jeng (Founder of Clean Earth Gambia) at the seminar "Global Politics and Influence: Africa at the Crossroad of Geopolitics and Climate Crisis".
Participants of the international evening, organised by the Forum Alpbach Network (FAN) Committee.
A group of young participants in a seminar room raising their hands.
Lukas Oscar at a concert as part of the Arts & Culture programme.

Your Role

Assistants play an important role in shaping the experience of the Academy Days. They support the seminar and studio sessions, help create a positive group dynamic, and serve as a link between participants, chairs, and the EFA team.

Typical responsibilities include:

  • Helping create an open and respectful discussion environment
  • Encouraging exchange among participants
  • Acting as a bridge between participants, chairs, and the EFA team
  • Supporting organisational aspects of the sessions  
  • Supporting the facilitation of sessions together with the chairs
  • Contributing to the documentation and evaluation of the programme

Seminars and Studios

During the Academy Days, assistants support both seminars and studios.

  • Seminars focus on in-depth discussions on specific topics related to major European challenges.
  • Studios provide interactive spaces where participants collaboratively explore ideas, questions, and perspectives in a more experimental format.

Assistants help support the learning process in these sessions and contribute to creating a constructive and engaging group experience.

Preparation Workshop

To prepare for the role, assistants are required to participate in a mandatory online preparation workshop (approximately two hours) before the Forum.

The workshop introduces the responsibilities of assistants and offers guidance on facilitation, group dynamics, and practical aspects of the role during the Academy Days.

Who Can Apply?

You are eligible to apply if you:

  • have previously participated in the European Forum Alpbach (main target group: former scholarship holders)
  • born after 4 September 1990
  • have not been an assistant at EFA before
  • have a strong command of English (minimum B2 level)

Experience in assistant-related or leadership tasks (work experience or extracurricular involvement)  is a plus

What You Receive

Selected assistants receive a returnee scholarship, which includes participation in the European Forum Alpbach 2026 as well as accommodation during the Forum.

Application Process

Applications are open from 7 April 2026, 2 pm (CEST) to 27 April 2026, 2 pm (CEST).

Applications are submitted through our online application platform. Please note that applications received by other means cannot be considered.  

You will be required to provide information about your educational and professional background, extracurricular activities, and answer two questions as part of your motivational statement.

Confirmation of B2 English Level

We accept the following documents:

  • A language certificate (not older than three years) that indicates a B2 English level according to the Common European Framework of Reference (e.g., TOEFL with a min. score of 72, IELTS with a min. score of 5.5, Cambridge English Scale Score min. 160, MUET with a min. score of 4, Duolingo min. 115).  
  • or proof that you studied or are studying in an English-speaking country  
  • Proof that the applicant graduated in an English-speaking high-school (graduating only in the English subject does not count).
  • or proof that your degree is taught entirely in English  
  • or, if you are a native speaker, you can upload a copy of your passport. You are considered a native speaker if you come from one of the following majority English-speaking countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, The, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Dominica, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, India, Ireland, Jamaica, Canada, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Micronesia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Zambia, Solomon Islands, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe, Singapore, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, United States of America, United Kingdom.
  • or a confirmation by your school, employer, or university professor, explicitly stating that you have reached B2 or an equivalent to B2.  

If your certificate is in a language other than German or English, you need to also attach a translation. This translation does not need to be certified. Please attach a copy of the original AND the translation. 

Most Recent Qualification or Academic Record

Please upload one (merged) document that reflects your most recent status:

  • If you are currently studying: Your latest transcript of records (only transcripts from 2025 or 2026 can be considered) or
  • If you have completed your studies recently: Your latest diploma (A-levels issued in 2024 or later, apprenticeship or other vocational training, university degree) or
  • If you are currently working: Proof of employment and your latest diploma (university degree, apprenticeship or other vocational training).

If your transcript is in a language other than German or English, you need to also attach a translation. This translation does not need to be certified. Please attach a copy of the original AND the translation. 

Do you have any questions?

Send us an email!

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