UNDP Paid Internships 2026 for Students and Graduates – Launch Your Global Development Career

Overview

The United Nations Development Program Internship Program offers students and recent graduates practical experience in international development, global poverty eradication, and sustainable development. Interns work alongside experienced mentors at UNDP headquarters, regional hubs, or country offices across approximately 170 countries. Placements cover diverse fields of knowledge such as economics, public or business administration, environmental studies, and international relations. Depending on the specific department and opening, daily activities may include conducting research, writing documents, cataloguing information, assisting with conferences, and publishing best practices.

Who can apply

Applicants from all over the world are eligible to apply for these positions. Candidates must be at least 18 years of age at the time of application and must belong to one of several academic categories. Specifically, applicants can be enrolled in a graduate program, have already earned a second university degree, or be in the final academic year of their first university degree. Candidates must also demonstrate relevance to UNDP programs and possess the ability to work effectively with people from diverse language, national, and cultural backgrounds.

Requirements

Applicants must be fluent in at least one of the three working languages of the UNDP, which are English, French, and Spanish. Proficiency in Arabic, Portuguese, Russian, or another Eastern European language is considered advantageous.

What you get

Interns receive a monthly stipend provided by the organization to cover costs associated with the internship, with amounts varying by duty station. Additional financial aid may also be received from the intern's nominating institution or government. Furthermore, participants have potential opportunities to be assigned to the UNDP or the broader United Nations system in the future.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted exclusively through the UNDP website by locating listings in the UNDP Job Section, selecting an area of interest, and clicking apply. Applicants who wish to apply to multiple programs must register separately for each one.

Key dates

Application deadlines vary according to each individual internship program. Specific listed deadlines include 2 November 2026, 4 November 2026, 6 November 2026, 8 November 2026, 9 November 2026, 10 November 2026, 15 November 2026, 16 November 2026, 31 December 2026, and 15 June 2027.