The NRDC-ITA University Internship Programme consists of lectures and practical research work focused on a crisis area, characterized by complexity, asymmetries, and the presence of hybrid threats. The analysis of this region will be carried out through a multidimensional approach utilizing the PMESII domains (Political, Military, Economic, Social, Infrastructure, and Information domains) with the aim of achieving a holistic understanding of the dynamics and interactions of the different area-related systems and their linked subsystems (System of Systems Analysis – SOSA).
The aim of the NRDC-ITA Internship Programme is to inform, disseminate and share knowledge and information concerning current issues and topics of critical importance for the HQ and NATO focusing on the NATO Strategic Direction South (NSD-S).

The training objective is to develop an understanding of the NATO comprehensive approach to crisis response, based on the PMESII system utilized to analyze a potential crisis area, to acquire capabilities to carry out focused open-source research and scenario analysis, and to reinforce critical thinking and analytical skills.
The internship consists of two phases, a remote phase at the universities and a residential one at “Ugo Mara” Barracks. The participants will be followed by university tutors during the remote phase and NRDC-ITA tutors during the residential phase. NRDC-ITA tutoring provides an opportunity for the students to interact with the international staff. The expected outcome from the participants is specific analysis results incorporated in a report aimed at identifying patterns, trends and future scenarios. On the final day of the residential phase, selected students will present the results of the analytical work to the NRDC-ITA HQ Senior Officers and Universities Rectors/representatives.

The list of the Universities currently participating in the NRDC-ITA Internship Programme is available below. For more information contact your University Department at the following links: