Training programme scholarship scheme

Are you a student or graduate in a heritage-related discipline? Have you recently started a freelance career as a heritage professional, or plan to, and want to gain skills in heritage interpretation? If the answer is yes, this scholarship scheme is for you!

Interpret Europe (IE) strives to offer training opportunities at affordable rates, but we recognise that such training constitutes a significant investment for some participants, especially early career freelancers.

That’s why, from 2026, our training programme scholarship scheme will offer financial support for up to sixteen (16) young professionals/students per year to attend IE courses (excludes modules). These scholarships will be based on clear criteria prioritising those on low incomes, at the beginning of their careers.   

The IE training programme is designed for all who provide visitor experiences and involve people at heritage sites such as guides, tourism professionals, architects, museologists, museum curators and site managers (of nature parks, historic buildings, museums, gardens and zoos, etc.). It enables participants to secure skills in various fields such as planning, guiding and writing and training through the following courses:

  • Course for Certified Interpretive Planners (CIP)
  • Course for Certified Interpretive Guides (CIG)
  • Course for Certified Interpretive Writers (CIW)
  • Course for Certified Interpretive Trainers (CIT)

Further details for each course can be found HERE

The list of upcoming IE training courses can be found HERE

 

1. Eligibility criteria

  • Applicants must be self-employed (freelancer), aged 35 or under, professionally active for less than 5 years, currently seeking work or in higher education. 
  • Applicants must reside in a country of the EU, EFTA or acceding, candidate or potential candidate countries.
  • Applicants must have valid IE membership as per IE training course requirements.
  • The scholarship applies to:
    • All IE certified courses mentioned above
    • Early-bird rates or full fees for the IE certified courses 
  • Scholarships are subject to applicants being accepted to take part in the training and achieving certification upon completion.

2. Scholarship award and application procedure 

  • The scholarship awards 50% of the cost of training course fees, or alternatively, travel, and subsistence costs (accommodation and meals) if the course is free for participants. The maximum amount granted is €300.
  • Applicants should send a motivation letter and CV to scholarships@interpret-europe.net indicating their personal circumstances that fulfil the scholarship eligibility criteria.
  • An evaluation committee will assess applications and notify applicants of its decision
  • Scholarships will be awarded on a first come first served basis up to a maximum of sixteen per year and a maximum of two for any single course.

3. Training course payment terms for scholarships

  • Full payment of the training course fee is required to secure the scholarship.
  • Payment of the training course fee must be within the stated deadline to maintain eligibility for the scholarship.
  • Payment of the scholarship will be made upon proof of certification by the recipient upon successful completion of the course. 

4. Cancellation, Refunds, and Changes

  • In case of a last-minute cancellation by the participant or by the organisation administering the course, the participant can retain the right to receive a scholarship if the training is rebooked in the same country or another country.
  • If the conditions for transferring an approved scholarship are not met within the 12-months from the date of issue and by the absolute deadline of 31 December 2028, the scholarship will be cancelled. it must be refunded to IE

5. Limitations and Exclusions

  • The maximum number of scholarships awarded by IE is sixteen per year.
  • The scholarship applies to training fees, travel, and subsistence costs (accommodation and meals). 
  • If a training course is free of charge to the recipient, travel and subsistence costs remain eligible if these are not reimbursed by another party. Payment will amount to a maximum of 50% of travel, and subsistence costs (accommodation and meals) capped at maximum of €300 upon production of invoices/receipts. 

6. Misuse and Compliance

  • IE reserves the right to revoke a scholarship award if:
    • Membership or motivation information was falsified.
    • Terms and conditions referred to in these guidelines are breached.
  • IE will respect personal data usage and GDPR compliance for membership verification.

7. Validity Period

  • The training scholarship scheme runs from 1 January 2026 to 31 Dec 2028.
  • Scholarships apply to training courses delivered within that period.
  • IE reserves the right to review or update the scheme at any time.

8. Contact and Support

  • For questions about membership status or scholarship application, please write to scholarships@interpret-europe.net

Background

The Interpret Europe training programme scholarship scheme is supported by the HI-People Project, a multi-annual initiative (2025-2029) funded by the European Union Creative Europe programme which is investing in network organisations like Interpret Europe that can help transform the cultural and creative sectors in Europe.

A key driver of this transformation is our training programme to foster a community of highly competent professional consultants and/or trainers who can demonstrate the value of heritage and the profession of heritage interpretation throughout Europe.

Courses are provided by IE’s community of certified trainers who have fulfilled the criteria to deliver the above courses certified by IE and in compliance with the related IE training and certification plans.


Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.