Dear EGU Expert,

This month’s Science for Policy Newsletter highlights opportunities that you can apply for now, ready for the Autumn season! This month, EGU is launching its first Science for Policy Workshop Series. The application window for this workshop will close once the maximum number of places are offered, so apply now! There are also just a couple of weeks left to apply for the 2026 EGU Science-Policy Pairing Scheme. Continue reading to learn more about the recent GeoTalk interview with Trevelayne Faller on Critical Raw Materials and the open call to apply for the European Commission Blue Book Traineeship.

If you have any further questions or comments about the policy resources and opportunities that exist for scientists in Europe, don't hesitate to get in touch!

Wishing you all a nice summer,

EGU's Science for Policy Team

EGU is holding its first Science for Policy Workshop series that aims to provide EGU members with practical skills, tools, and confidence to engage with policy practitioners and support them in decision-making.

The workshop series, held by Laura Danilaviciute, will consist of four sessions taking place in September 2026:

• 9 September: Understanding the EU policy landscape: where science enters policy
• 16 September: Science use in policy tools: advice, impact assessments & evidence
• 23 September: Writing effective policy briefs
• 30 September: Engagement, Communication and Policy Influence

The workshop series is free and open to all EGU members who express their interest and are able to join all four sessions. The application window will be closed once the maximum number of participants is reached, so read more and submit your application here as soon as possible!

If you are an EGU member who is an EU citizen or EU resident, and would like to learn more about the role of science in policymaking, applications for the 2026 EGU Science-Policy Pairing Scheme are still open!

The successful applicant will be paired with MEP Dimitris Tsiodras and his team in Brussels from 3-6 November 2026. The programme offers an opportunity to gain first-hand insight into the work of the European Parliament, and to potentially provide expertise on a science-policy issue.

To apply, please fill in the application form, attaching a CV (max 2-page) and a cover letter outlining your motivation by midnight on Tuesday 1 September 2026. You can learn more about the Pairing Scheme here and read the experiences of previous Pairing Scheme participants here.

This month, the EGU’s official blog, GeoLog, features a new interview with Trevelayne Faller, Communications Officer for EU-funded MOSMIN (Multiscale Observation Services for Mining-related Deposits) project, which aims to develop innovative solutions for mine waste.

In the interview, Trevelayne shares key insights from a recent joint policy brief that MOSMIN contributed to on how Earth Observation and Machine Learning support access to and management of critical raw materials, as well as the importance of the European Critical Raw Materials Act, and the science-policy gaps in the field.

You can read the interview here.

Summer is a great time to start thinking about new opportunities! The European Commission currently has an open call for its 5-month Blue Book Traineeship for the March 2027 cohort. You could consider applying if you are looking to transition into a more policy-driven career, or if you want to stay in research but want to gain new insights into how evidence can be used to support decision-making processes.

While the exact activities undertaken by the trainee will vary depending on the policy area and service, some examples of activities that you may undertake during a Traineeship include attending and organising meetings, conducting research, drafting and editing policy documents, and answering inquiries. You can read about what it's like to undertake a Blue Book Traineeship as a researcher in this GeoTalk with Marie Cavitte, which was published earlier this year. 

The Commission does not specifically target scientists in the application process but often those with specific expertise are welcome. You can read more about the Traineeship and apply here before 10:00 CEST on 4 September 2026.