UNITED NATIONS INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME — WORLDWIDE (UNPAID, ROLLING)

The United Nations Internship Programme isn’t one single application window — it’s a continuous stream of individual internship postings across the UN Secretariat and its agencies (like UNESCO, UNDP, and UNICEF), each with its own deadline. That makes it one of the few genuinely evergreen opportunities on this list: there’s always something open somewhere in the system.

Interns are placed in departments matching their field of study or interest, working alongside UN staff on real projects. It’s widely used as a stepping stone into international development, diplomacy, and NGO careers — and it’s open to candidates from every country, with no application fee at any stage.

What It Covers

• Note: most UN Secretariat internships are unpaid (some UN agencies, like UNDP, offer a modest monthly stipend — check the specific posting)
• Hands-on placement in UN departments, agencies, or field offices
• Exposure to real UN projects, teams, and working environments
• Access to the UN’s professional network for future roles

Who Can Apply

• Enrolled in a graduate or undergraduate degree program, or recently graduated
• Open to all nationalities
• Specific competencies/language requirements vary by posting — read each listing individually

Study Levels: Open to undergraduate and graduate students/recent graduates
Host Country: Worldwide (HQ and field offices)
Deadline: Rolling — no single annual deadline. Individual postings open and close throughout the year (recent example: UNESCO’s 2026 internship intake ran until June 30, 2026). Check the portal regularly and apply directly to postings that fit.

How to Apply

Go to the official UN careers portal, filter by “Internship,” and review current postings. Create an Inspira profile, complete your application (education, experience, languages), and submit before each posting’s individual deadline. No fees are ever required.