The World Health Organization (WHO) Internship Programme provides students and recent graduates with an opportunity to gain practical experience within an international organization working on global public health. The programme accepts candidates from diverse academic backgrounds and offers internship opportunities across WHO headquarters, regional offices, country offices, and other organizational locations.
WHO internships are available in both technical and administrative areas, including public health, medicine, social sciences, management, communications, external relations, and human resources. Internship vacancies are published throughout the year, with individual positions having their own eligibility requirements, duration, and application deadlines.
WHO Internship Programme 2026–2027 at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | World Health Organization (WHO) |
| Programme | WHO Internship Programme |
| Locations | WHO headquarters, regional offices, country offices and other duty stations |
| Duration | 6–24 consecutive weeks |
| Work arrangement | Full-time |
| Eligible applicants | Students and eligible recent graduates |
| Minimum age | 20 years |
| Application system | WHO Stellis |
| Application deadline | Varies by internship vacancy |
| Insurance | Medical and accident insurance |
| Financial support | Living allowance may be available to eligible interns |
| Application fee | None |
What Is the WHO Internship Programme?
The WHO Internship Programme is designed to give students and recent graduates exposure to the technical and administrative work of the World Health Organization.
The programme supports WHO’s objective of developing a diverse pool of future professionals while allowing WHO departments to benefit from the knowledge and skills of students from different academic disciplines.
Internships may involve work related to technical programmes or administrative functions such as communications, external relations, and human resources. The exact responsibilities depend on the individual vacancy and the needs of the relevant WHO technical unit.
Who Can Apply for a WHO Internship?
Applicants must meet WHO’s general eligibility requirements as well as any additional requirements stated in the individual internship vacancy.
Generally, applicants must:
- Be at least 20 years old on the date of application.
- Be enrolled in a university or equivalent institution leading to an undergraduate, graduate, or postgraduate qualification in a field relevant to the internship.
- Have completed at least three years of full-time university study before beginning the internship.
- If already graduated, apply within 18 months of completing the formal qualification.
- Be fluent in at least one working language of the WHO office where the internship is located.
- Hold a valid passport from a WHO Member State.
- Not be related to a WHO staff member under the applicable rules.
- Not have previously participated in the WHO Internship Programme.
What Academic Backgrounds Are Accepted?
The WHO Internship Programme is not restricted to medical or public health students.
Depending on the position, eligible academic backgrounds can include:
- Public health
- Medicine
- Social sciences
- Management
- Business and administration
- Communications
- External relations
- Human resources
- International development
- Other fields relevant to WHO’s technical or administrative work
The specific academic qualifications required are stated in each internship vacancy. Applicants should therefore assess their eligibility against the requirements of the individual position rather than relying only on the general programme criteria.
Can Undergraduate Students Apply?
Yes. Undergraduate students may apply provided they have completed at least three years of full-time study at a university or equivalent institution before the internship begins.
This requirement means that applicants who are still studying toward a bachelor’s degree may be eligible if they have completed the required period of study.
Can Master’s and PhD Students Apply?
Yes. WHO confirms that doctoral students are eligible to apply for internships. Graduate-level applicants may also apply when their programme and academic background meet the requirements of the relevant vacancy. WHO also indicates that online master’s programmes may be eligible depending on the programme’s workload and accreditation status.
Can Recent Graduates Apply?
Recent graduates may apply. WHO states that individuals can remain eligible for an internship for up to 18 months after completing their formal qualification.
Applicants who are no longer enrolled in a degree programme may therefore still qualify if they apply within the applicable 18-month period.
WHO Internship Duration
WHO internships are full-time assignments lasting between six and 24 consecutive weeks.
The exact duration is determined by the relevant technical unit according to the requirements of the internship. An individual can undertake only one WHO internship.
Internships must also be completed at a single location and cannot normally be divided between two different countries or WHO offices.
Where Are WHO Internships Offered?
Internship vacancies may be available at different locations within the WHO system, including:
- WHO Headquarters
- Regional offices
- Country offices
- Other WHO duty stations
The location, working arrangements, language requirements, and responsibilities depend on the individual vacancy. WHO publishes internship opportunities on a continuous basis, so applicants are encouraged to check the official careers system regularly.
Benefits of the WHO Internship Programme
WHO provides several forms of support to interns, although the exact financial arrangements can vary according to the internship and duty station.
Medical and accident insurance: All WHO interns receive medical and accident insurance coverage for the duration of their internship. Coverage before and after the internship period, including travel to and from the duty station, is the intern’s responsibility.
Living allowance: Eligible selected interns who require financial support may receive a living allowance. WHO states that the maximum amount is specified in the individual internship vacancy and varies according to the duty station.
Meal support: Depending on the duty station, interns may receive meal vouchers or another form of lunch support. WHO notes that interns in Geneva receive daily lunch vouchers valued at CHF 20 for use in WHO cafeterias. Arrangements may differ at other duty stations.
Travel support: Approved travel costs for some interns from least developed and middle-income countries may be covered, subject to the applicable conditions. Applicants should check the individual vacancy for details.
Certificate: Interns may request an internship certificate at the end of their assignment and may also request a recommendation letter from their supervisor.
Is the WHO Internship Fully Funded?
The WHO Internship Programme should not be described as universally fully funded.
WHO provides medical and accident insurance to all interns and may provide a living allowance to eligible interns who require financial support. The amount of financial support depends on the specific vacancy and duty station. In addition, travel costs may be covered for some interns from least developed and middle-income countries under applicable conditions.
Applicants should therefore examine the financial provisions of each internship before making travel or financial arrangements.
WHO Internship Application Process
All applications must be submitted through the WHO online recruitment system, Stellis. WHO does not accept internship applications through an alternative application route.
The general application process is:
1. Search for an internship vacancy.
Visit the official WHO Careers website and review the available internship positions.
2. Check the vacancy requirements.
Review the required academic background, language skills, duration, location, and other conditions.
3. Create or update your Stellis profile.
The application system requests information about education, current studies, language skills, experience, publications, training, computer skills, and motivation.
4. Prepare a position-specific cover letter.
WHO recommends that applicants customize their cover letter for each internship rather than using a generic letter.
5. Submit the application.
Complete all required sections and submit your application before the deadline stated in the vacancy.
6. Wait for the selection process.
Shortlisted candidates may be invited to an interview and, depending on the position, a written assessment.
WHO Internship Application Deadlines
There is no single annual deadline for the WHO Internship Programme.
Internship vacancies are posted on a continuous basis, and each position has its own closing date. Applicants should therefore monitor the official WHO Careers website regularly rather than waiting for one annual application period.
How to Prepare a Strong WHO Internship Application
A strong application should demonstrate a clear connection between the applicant’s academic background, previous experience, and the responsibilities of the internship.
Applicants should consider the following:
- Carefully read the complete vacancy announcement.
- Apply only when the academic and eligibility requirements are satisfied.
- Tailor the cover letter to the specific position.
- Highlight relevant academic projects, research, volunteering, publications, or professional experience.
- Demonstrate specific skills rather than simply listing them.
- Clearly explain the connection between the internship and your academic or professional objectives.
- Check the language requirements for the duty station.
- Review the application carefully before submission.
WHO specifically advises applicants to submit a separate, customized cover letter for each internship. The organization recommends keeping the letter to no more than three paragraphs.
Can Applicants Without Professional Experience Apply?
Yes.
WHO notes that applicants without professional experience can use their academic background and other activities to demonstrate relevant competencies. These may include experiences that developed teamwork, decision-making, problem-solving, and other transferable skills.
For students, university projects, research activities, student organizations, volunteering, community work, and academic assignments may therefore be relevant when presented effectively.
WHO Internship Language Requirements
Applicants must be fluent in at least one of the working languages of the office where the internship will take place.
WHO’s official languages are:
- Arabic
- Chinese
- English
- French
- Russian
- Spanish
However, the language requirements can differ by location and individual vacancy. Some positions may require knowledge of more than one language or consider knowledge of a local language an advantage.
Applicants may be asked to demonstrate their stated language proficiency during the recruitment process through a verbal assessment or formal documentation.
Is IELTS or TOEFL Required for a WHO Internship?
WHO does not specify one universal IELTS or TOEFL score for all internship positions.
Instead, applicants must meet the language requirements of the relevant WHO office and vacancy. During recruitment, WHO may ask candidates to demonstrate their language proficiency.
Applicants should therefore check the language requirements of the specific internship rather than assuming that a particular English-language test is mandatory for every WHO internship.
WHO Internship Visa Requirements
Selected interns are responsible for obtaining the visa or other authorization required to undertake the internship in the host country.
WHO states that interns cannot undertake an internship using a tourist visa. Once selected, candidates receive documentation confirming their internship and may request a visa support letter from the relevant WHO office. Visa-related costs are the responsibility of the intern.
Applicants should determine the applicable visa requirements before accepting an internship offer.
Accommodation During a WHO Internship
WHO does not arrange accommodation for interns.
The organization provides information and guidance on finding accommodation, but interns are responsible for making their own arrangements. WHO also advises interns to exercise caution when making advance payments for accommodation.
This is particularly important for applicants considering internships in expensive locations such as Geneva.
WHO Internship in Geneva
Geneva is home to WHO Headquarters and hosts a range of international organizations.
However, WHO emphasizes that living costs in Geneva are high and that finding suitable accommodation can be challenging. Although eligible interns may receive a living allowance, applicants should review the exact amount stated in the vacancy and consider the expected cost of living before accepting an internship.
Can You Apply for Multiple WHO Internships?
Yes. There is no stated limit on the number of WHO internship vacancies to which an applicant may apply.
However, WHO recommends preparing a specific cover letter for every position rather than submitting the same generic letter to multiple vacancies.
Applying selectively to relevant positions while tailoring each application can help ensure that your qualifications and motivation are clearly connected to the requirements of each vacancy.
What Happens After Applying?
WHO states that only successful candidates are contacted.
If shortlisted, an applicant may be invited to an interview with the relevant technical unit. Some selection processes may also include a written assessment.
WHO advises that if an applicant does not receive a response within approximately four to eight weeks after the internship vacancy closes, they may assume they were not shortlisted for that opportunity.
Applicants who are unsuccessful may apply for other WHO internship vacancies if they continue to meet the eligibility requirements.
Does a WHO Internship Lead to Employment?
A WHO internship does not guarantee employment with the organization.
WHO explicitly states that the Internship Programme is separate from its employment recruitment process. Interns and former interns may apply as external candidates for WHO vacancies for which they are qualified, but employment remains subject to the organization’s standard recruitment and selection procedures.
Important: Beware of WHO Internship Scams
Applicants should use only official WHO recruitment channels when applying for internships.
The WHO Careers website is the appropriate source for current vacancies and application instructions. Applicants should be cautious of individuals or websites claiming to guarantee a WHO internship in exchange for money or personal payments.
WHO internship applications are submitted through the official Stellis recruitment system.
WHO Internship Programme FAQs
Is there an application fee for WHO internships?
WHO applications are submitted through its official recruitment system. Applicants should be cautious of anyone requesting payment to secure an internship.
Can international students apply?
Yes. Applicants holding a valid passport from a WHO Member State may apply if they meet the other eligibility requirements.
Can recent graduates apply?
Yes. Applicants may generally apply within 18 months of completing their formal qualification.
Can PhD students apply?
Yes. WHO confirms that doctoral students are eligible to apply.
How long is a WHO internship?
WHO internships last between six and 24 consecutive weeks and are full-time.
Does WHO provide accommodation?
No. Interns are responsible for arranging their own accommodation.
Does WHO provide financial support?
Eligible interns may receive a living allowance. The maximum amount is specified in the individual vacancy and varies by duty station.
Does WHO provide health insurance?
Yes. WHO provides medical and accident insurance for interns during the internship period.
Can I apply for several WHO internships?
Yes. There is no limit on the number of internship vacancies to which you may apply, although each application should have a position-specific cover letter.
Is the WHO Internship Programme fully funded?
Not universally. Financial support depends on the individual internship and the intern’s eligibility. Applicants should check the specific vacancy for the applicable allowance and travel provisions.
Final Considerations
The WHO Internship Programme provides students and recent graduates with an opportunity to gain practical experience in an international public health organization. Its internships cover a broad range of technical and administrative areas, making the programme relevant to applicants from disciplines beyond medicine and public health.
Because vacancies are published continuously and requirements vary between positions, applicants should regularly monitor the official WHO Careers website and assess each opportunity individually. A carefully tailored application, relevant academic or practical experience, and a clear connection between the applicant’s background and the internship responsibilities are important components of a competitive application.
Official WHO Internship Programme:
WHO Internship Programme
WHO Internship Frequently Asked Questions:
WHO Internship FAQs
WHO Careers:
WHO Careers
