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The WHO Internship Programme is paid. Since 2020, the World Health Organization gives a monthly living allowance to selected interns who need financial support, plus medical and accident insurance. Interns work with WHO teams on global health, at headquarters in Geneva, in regional and country offices, and some roles remotely.
It is open to students and recent graduates worldwide, with no application fee. Positions are posted all year, each with its own dates and requirements, so this is one to watch on the WHO careers portal rather than a single yearly deadline.
Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Provider | World Health Organization (WHO) |
| Location | Geneva, plus WHO regional and country offices; some remote roles |
| Type | Internship, 6 to 24 weeks |
| Funding | Monthly living allowance for interns who need it, plus insurance |
| Who can apply | Students and recent graduates (within 18 months), age 20+, from a WHO member state |
| Application fee | None |
| Deadline | Rolling. Each position has its own deadline. See the Deadline section. |
What is the WHO Internship Programme?
WHO is the United Nations agency for global health. Its internship programme places students and new graduates inside real WHO work: public health, medicine, health data, communications, management, and policy.
You join a team for a few months and contribute to live projects. For anyone who wants a career in health, development, or international organisations, it is a strong line on your CV and a real look at how global health work is done.
What you get
- A monthly living allowance if you need financial support and are not funded by another organisation
- Medical and accident insurance for the internship
- Hands-on experience with a UN health agency
- In some offices, lunch vouchers
The living allowance is paid to interns who need it and helps with day-to-day expenses. WHO does not cover flights or full living costs.
Who can apply
- You are at least 20 years old.
- You are enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate, or postgraduate course, and have completed at least three years of full-time study. Recent graduates can apply within 18 months of finishing.
- Your field fits WHO’s work: public health, medicine, social sciences, management, communications, or a related area.
- You are fluent in a working language of the office you apply to (often English or French).
- You hold a passport from a WHO member state, and you have no immediate family working at WHO.
Is there an age limit?
The minimum age is 20. There is no upper age limit. What matters is that you are a current student or graduated within the last 18 months.
Do I need IELTS or TOEFL?
No test is required. You need to be fluent in the working language of the office you apply to. If that is English, strong written and spoken English is enough, with no IELTS or TOEFL score needed.
Can I apply with average grades?
WHO looks at your studies, your skills, and how well you fit the specific role more than one grade number. Read each posting closely and match your application to what that team needs. If you have public health, research, or data skills, show them clearly.
Required documents
- Your CV
- Proof of enrolment or your graduation (within the last 18 months)
- A motivation statement, if the posting asks for one
- Anything else listed on the specific WHO vacancy
How to find and apply for a role
WHO does not run one yearly intake. Roles appear on the WHO careers portal through the year, each with its own team, location, and deadline. Set aside time to search the portal, filter for internships, and read the postings that match your field. Apply to the ones that fit, and check back often, because new roles open regularly.
How to apply, step by step
- Open the WHO careers portal and search for internship positions.
- Filter by your field and by location, including remote roles.
- Read the posting in full, and note its own deadline and requirements.
- Prepare your CV and profile, and submit before that position’s deadline.
- Keep checking the portal, since new internships are posted continuously.
Selection process
Each WHO team reviews applications for its own role, shortlists candidates, and interviews. Selected interns receive an offer with the living allowance and insurance that apply to that posting and location.
Deadline
Rolling. Each WHO internship has its own deadline.
There is no single date for the whole programme. Positions open all year, so the real task is to check the WHO careers portal regularly and apply to roles as they appear. Confirm the exact deadline on each posting before you submit.
Have a question?
Drop your question in the comments and we will help. If you tell us your field, we can suggest what to search for on the WHO portal.
Related reading
More funded opportunities to explore on the site:
- UNDP Digital, AI and Innovation Internship 2026
- UNIDIR Graduate Professional Programme 2026
- United Nations Volunteer Program 2026
- Princeton in Africa Fellowship 2027/28
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