WHO Internship Programme 2026–2027: Eligibility, Benefits and Application Guide
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: 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: 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: 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
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