The European Parliament (abbreviated as EU Parliament or the EP) is the directly elected parliamentaryinstitution of the European Union (EU). Together with the Council of the European Union (the Council) and theEuropean Commission, it exercises the legislative function of the EU.

The European Parliament is the only directly-elected EU body and one of the largest democratic assemblies in the world. Its 751 Members are there to represent the EU's 500 million citizens. They are elected once every five years by voters from across the 28 Member States.

Although the European Parliament has legislative power that the Council and Commission do not possess, it does not formally possess legislative initiative, as most national parliaments of European Union member states do.The Parliament is the "first institution" of the EU (mentioned first in the treaties, having ceremonial precedence over all authority at European level), and shares equal legislative and budgetary powers with the Council (except in a few areas where the special legislative procedures apply). It likewise has equal control over the EU budget. Finally, the European Commission, the executive body of the EU, is accountable to Parliament. In particular, Parliament elects the President of the Commission, and approves (or rejects) the appointment of the Commission as a whole. It can subsequently force the Commission as a body to resign by adopting a motion of censure.

Traineeships for university graduates are intended to enable trainees to supplement the knowledge which they acquired during their studies and to familiarise themselves with the activities of the European Union and, in particular, the European Parliament.

These traineeships cover:

-Robert Schuman scholarships, general option

-Robert Schuman scholarships, journalism option.

Applicants for a traineeship for university graduates must:

-be nationals of a Member State of the European Union or an applicant country, without prejudice to the provisions of article 5 paragraph 2 of the Internal rules;

-be aged 18 or over on their traineeship starting date;

-have a thorough knowledge of one of the official languages of the European Union;

-not have been awarded any other traineeship or have been in paid employment for more than four consecutive weeks at the expense of the European Union budget.

Applicants for Robert Schuman scholarships, journalism option, must demonstrate professional experience as evidenced either by works published, or by membership of an association of journalists in a Member State of the European Union, or by a qualification in journalism recognised in the Member States of the European Union or in the applicant countries.

These traineeships are awarded for a period of five months which cannot be extended.

These traineeships are awarded only to graduates of universities or equivalent institutions. Their purpose is to enable trainees to supplement the knowledge acquired during their studies and to familiarise themselves with the activities of the European Union and, in particular, the European Parliament.

Applicants for a translation traineeship for university graduates must:

-be nationals of a Member State of the European Union or a candidate country;

-be aged 18 or over on the traineeship start date;

-have obtained, before the deadline for submission of applications, a university degree following a course of study of at least three years’ duration;

-have a perfect knowledge of one of the official languages of the European Union or the official language of an candidate country and a thorough knowledge of two other official languages of the European Union;

-not have been awarded any other traineeship or have been in paid employment for more than four consecutive weeks at the expense of the European Union budget.

Translation traineeships for university graduates are awarded for a period of three months. Exceptionally, they may be extended for a maximum period of three months.