The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Washington office is accepting applications for its Spring intake internships. The key facts are simple: you must be a graduate student returning to your studies afterwards, and your complete application must arrive by 15 January, 11:59 p.m. ET. Two tracks are open — General and Communications and Outreach — running March to 15 June in Washington, D.C.
The Washington office is UNDP’s main point of contact with the United States Congress, the State Department, the World Bank Group, and other international organisations. Interns support day-to-day work, attend conferences and meetings, and take on analytical and practical tasks. Selection is highly competitive, with interns chosen from around the world, and incomplete, partial, or late applications will not be considered.
Key details at a glance
| Detail | What the official page states |
|---|---|
| Organisation | UNDP Washington Representation Office |
| Location | Washington, D.C., USA; remote/hybrid possible in some cases |
| Tracks | General; Communications and Outreach |
| Intake dates | March to 15 June (Spring intake) |
| Time commitment | 3–6 months; at least 3 days or 24 hours per week |
| Funding | Monthly stipend; rate varies by location, part-time pro-rated |
| Deadline | 15 January, 11:59 p.m. ET |
| How to apply | By email, with four documents (see below) |
Two tracks, two different working days
The General Internship suits students of development, international affairs, law, government, or economics. General interns may attend Congressional hearings and policy forums and brief staff, handle requests for UNDP’s assistance, help plan events, update media, think-tank, and government contact databases, and assist with daily operations. Capitol Hill experience and Congress familiarity are especially welcome, as is development field experience, but both are desirable, not required.
The Communications and Outreach Internship, supervised by the Office Director, suits students with strong communications skills. Tasks may include updating the office website, shaping new communications tactics, researching material for publication, and monitoring media and social media for daily clips. Excellent writing is required; experience with news releases, newsletters, and tools such as X, Constant Contact, and Hootsuite, plus familiarity with Washington media, is preferred. Audio and video experience is a plus.
Check yourself against the requirements first
Every applicant must be enrolled in a graduate-level degree in communications or a development-related field such as economics, public or business administration, or environmental studies, and must return to their studies when the internship ends. You must be able to work at least three consecutive months, at least three days or 24 hours a week, to a maximum of six months. Written and spoken English proficiency, demonstrated interest in global development, and respect for UN Charter and UNDP Statement of Purpose principles are also required.
You are a strong fit if you:
- Are a graduate student in communications, economics, administration, environmental studies, law, government, or a similar field.
- Can commit to at least three days a week for three to six months from March, and show real interest in global development.
- For communications, can point to writing or media work done.
Do not apply if you have finished your degree and will not return to study, cannot meet the minimum time commitment, or want a summer placement — the office offers no summer programme. The internship carries no expectation of employment, and interns may not apply for internal UNDP staff posts during it.
What the stipend covers, and what it does not
Under UNDP policy, interns are eligible for a monthly stipend, with the rate varying by location. Part-time arrangements are pro-rated to your actual hours. No single fixed amount is published, so none is stated here. All additional expenses must be borne by you or your sponsoring institution. UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs from accidents or illness during the internship, and you must show proof of health insurance before arrival and arrange any necessary visas yourself. So budget for travel, housing, insurance, and visas yourself: the stipend helps with costs but does not cover them.
How to apply, step by step
Applications are made by email, not through a portal. Email all materials to undp.washington@undp.org and Ebru.Kuran@undp.org (Attention: Internship Coordinator) with the subject line “Internship Application – Spring Internship – [Full Name]”, using your own name, and stating the period you are applying for.
Your application must contain all four of these documents:
- Cover letter.
- Curriculum vitae (CV) of no more than 1–2 pages.
- Completed and signed UNDP internship application form, available from the official page.
- One reference letter.
All materials, including the reference letter, must be submitted by you; applications with missing documents will not be considered. Ask your referee early, tell them the deadline plainly, and do not send your application until the letter is in your hands. Keep your CV within the page limit, name your track in your cover letter, and link your studies to that track’s real tasks. Send everything at least a day early, converting the midnight Eastern Time cut-off carefully if you are elsewhere.
What happens after you apply
The office will contact only short-listed applicants, so silence after the deadline is not a request for more information. If short-listed, be ready to discuss availability, health insurance proof, and any visa steps. If not selected, the next chance is the Fall intake, starting in September.
Questions applicants actually ask
Q: Do I need to be a graduate student to apply?
A: Yes. You must be enrolled in a graduate-level degree in communications or a development-related field, and only students returning to their studies afterwards are eligible.
Q: How long does the internship last?
A: At least three consecutive months and at most six months, at least three days or 24 hours per week. The Spring intake runs from March to 15 June.
Q: Is the internship paid?
A: Interns are eligible for a monthly stipend under UNDP policy, the rate varying by location and part-time work pro-rated. No fixed amount is published; all other expenses are yours or your sponsoring institution’s.
Related opportunities: IMF Fund Internship Program, UNFPA Global Internship Roster, and UNICEF Internship Programme.
