WHO Internship Programme 2026: Eligibility, Benefits, Application Process and Global Opportunities
Overview
The World Health Organization (WHO) Internship Programme gives students and recent graduates practical experience in global public health and shows how an international health organization works. Placements can be linked to technical programmes or to administrative functions such as communications, external relations, management and human resources, and can be based at headquarters, regional offices or country offices. An internship does not guarantee later employment, although former interns may apply for vacancies as external candidates through the normal selection procedures.
What you get
WHO internships are full-time and last from a minimum of six weeks to a maximum of 24 weeks, depending on the technical unit and the specific opportunity. Interns are covered by medical and accident insurance during the internship, and other support depends on the internship and duty station. Interns gain exposure to programme coordination, policy development, research, data analysis and health communications, along with transferable professional skills.
Who can apply
Applicants must be at least 20 years old on the date of application and normally enrolled at a university or equivalent institution leading to a formal qualification, in fields such as public health, medicine, social sciences, management, administration, communications or external relations. Undergraduates must have completed at least three years of full-time university study before the internship starts. Recent graduates may apply within 18 months of completing their qualification, and doctoral students may apply where the internship allows it.
Candidates must be fluent in at least one working language of the office where the internship is based, and must hold a valid passport from a WHO Member State. People who have already completed a WHO internship are not eligible, and applicants must not be closely related to a WHO staff member, such as a parent, child or sibling.
How to apply
Candidates should review each individual vacancy for its academic, language and technical requirements and ensure they can commit to the full period of the internship before applying.