Frequently Asked Questions

Applications for the International Internships Programme

- Who can apply for the INOV Contacto International Internships Programme?
- Can the undergraduate course internship fit into the INOV Contacto International Internships Programme?
- Who should I send my application to?

Selection / Entrance to the Programme and the Structure of Internships

- How are applicants selected for the INOV Contacto Programme?
- How do I know if I have been selected and if I have entered the INOV Contacto Programme?
- Can I choose the placement company and/or country for my internship?
- Does the internship establish any security of tenure?
- Do I have to follow a fixed working timetable during the Internship?
- Can I be away from my placement country during the Internship?

Remuneration

- Are INOV Contacto Internships remunerated?

Internship Agreement

- What is the Internship Agreement?
- Are there any penalties for non-compliance with the Internship Agreement and Regulations?

Coordination of the Programme

- What organisation directs and coordinates the INOV Contacto NetworkContacto?

Academic Staff

- Why is there an Academic Staff for the International Internships Programme?
- What are the assessment criteria for the Internship?
- Is there a Diploma at the end of the Internship?

Applications for the International Internships Programme

Who can apply for the INOV Contacto International Internships Programme?
The INOV Contacto International Internships Programme is intended for two distinct target publics:

• the Portuguese business community with successful internationalisation processes;

• young graduates (Technological Section), young people with degrees from universities or vocational institutes (Industrial Section ITVC and Tourism) and young people with degrees recognised by the Ministry of Education (Technical Section) aged under 35 who are nationals of Portugal or any other European Union member country.

Can the undergraduate course internship fit into the INOV Contacto International Internships Programme?
No. Since this is a postgraduate internship, the applicant for the Programme is not yet prepared to satisfy all the necessary requirements, and in particular cannot present a graduation certificate.

Who should I send my application to?
Applicants:
Applications must be submitted online on the NetworkContacto Page. At the time when INOV Contacto is launched, the Institute makes the application form available on its Site and provides information about what documents need to be presented.

Companies:
The application form for companies is online on the NetworkContacto Page all year. The deadline for accepting applications for each year is 30 September (Technological Section).

Selection / Entrance to the Programme and Structure of Internships

How are applicants selected for the INOV Contacto Programme?
Icep|Portugal carries out the first stage of selection by analysing the academic and professional data on the application form.

The second stage is carried out by a specialised human resources company to which Icep adjudicates the project after a competition.
However, the selection of applicants by the human resources company does not signify automatic entrance to the INOV Contacto Programme. Final acceptance for the Programme occurs only after Icep|Portugal has matched the profile of the selected applicants with the requests from companies, i.e. if the applicants' areas of training correspond to the requests from companies in each year of the Programme.

How do I know if I have been selected and if I have entered the INOV Contacto Programme?
At the end of the selection process, Icep|Portugal sends all candidates (whether selected or not) an e-mail informing them of the result of their application. The e-mail is sent to the address indicated on the application form.

Can I choose the placement company and/or country for my internship?
No. In the context of the Programme candidates have no involvement in the choice of internship host companies or the placement country.

Does the internship establish any security of tenure?
No. Undertaking the INOV Contacto internship excludes any type of legal security of tenure either with the company/organisation hosting the internship or with Icep|Portugal.

Do I have to follow a fixed working timetable during the Internship?
Yes. INOV Contacto International Internships are professionalising internships. The fact that the intern is part of a company/organisation implies compliance with the working timetable stipulated by the entity hosting the internship.

Can I be away from my placement country during the Internship?
No. During the period of internship abroad the intern must reside and undertake the internship in the country or geographical area designated to him/her by Icep|Portugal. Any travel abroad, without the prior knowledge and authorisation of Icep|Portugal, leads to the penalty procedures set out in the Internship Agreement.

Remuneration

Are INOV Contacto Internships remunerated?
Yes. In the context of the Programme interns are granted a monthly scholarship equivalent to twice the national minimum wage (in all stages of the internship), insurance and a meals and accommodation subsidy (internship stage abroad).
(For further information, see: “What we offer”).
 

Internship Agreement

What is the Internship Agreement?
The Internship Agreement is a legal document that, in addition to the Internship Regulations, stipulates the duties and obligations of its contracting parties.
The Internship Agreement is signed between each candidate selected for the INOV Contacto International Internships Programme and Icep|Portugal.
The signature of the Internship Agreement takes place during the CGI - Course in International Management.

Are there any penalties for non-compliance with the Internship Agreement and Regulations?
Yes. Breach of the Internship Agreement and Regulations leads to a series of penalties ranging from a simple warning and summons to Lisbon, to the repayment of part of the subsidy received, suspension of the scholarship and, in exceptional cases, to exclusion from the internship (including repayment of all or part of the amount the intern has received).

Coordination of the Programme

What organisation directs and coordinates the INOV Contacto International Internships Programme?
As the organisation responsible for the Programme, the coordination of the internships is the responsibility of Icep|Portugal, which may liaise with the organisations that the dynamics of the project requires.

Interns therefore report directly to Icep|Portugal through their internship supervisor, whose name is provided to them during the CGI - Course in International Management and who belongs to NetworkContacto's team of coordinators.
(Information about the Academic Staff - Who's who and their responsibilities).

Academic Staff

Why is there an Academic Staff for the International Internships Programme?
Due to the theoretical training component taught in the International Internships Programme, and to the requirement to undertake an economic research project of a geographical or thematic nature, each selected candidate has, from the start of the internship, a tutor who will supervise him/her at all stages of the work (from the choice of subject to its development and final presentation).
(Complete information concerning the Internship Programme's Academic Staff).

Is there a Diploma at the end of the Internship?
Yes, the NetworkContacto Diploma, which is only granted to interns with a final grade of "Good" or "Very Good".
Interns whose final performance is below the acceptable level are requested to return the portable computer loaned to them at the end of the CGI - Course in International Management.