Students and recent graduates interested in gaining international experience in public health, medicine, social sciences, communications, administration and related fields can apply for the 2026 World Health Organization (WHO) Internship Programme.
The WHO Global Internship Programme provides successful candidates with an opportunity to gain practical experience within the organisation while working alongside professionals involved in global health and development.
Internships are available across different WHO offices and areas of work, with opportunities offered on a continuous basis.
WHO Internship Programme 2026 at a Glance
Category| Details
Host organisation| World Health Organization (WHO)
Programme| WHO Global Internship Programme
Eligible countries| WHO Member States
Category| Internship
Eligible applicants| Students and recent graduates
Areas| Public health, medicine, social sciences, communications, administration and related fields
Financial support| Living allowance for eligible interns
Insurance| Medical and accident insurance
English test| IELTS is not listed as a general programme requirement
Application deadline| Varies by vacancy
What Is the WHO Global Internship Programme?
The World Health Organization offers internships to help students and recent graduates gain a deeper understanding of the organisation’s technical and administrative programmes.
Interns may work in areas directly related to public health, as well as supporting functions such as communications, external relations, human resources and administration.
The programme is designed to expose participants to the work of an international organisation while allowing them to contribute to projects connected to global health.
Who Can Apply?
To be considered for a WHO internship, applicants generally must meet the following requirements:
– Be at least 20 years old at the time of application.
– Be enrolled in a university or equivalent institution in an undergraduate, graduate or postgraduate programme relevant to the internship.
– Study a field related to WHO’s technical work, such as public health, medicine or social sciences, or a relevant management, administration, communications or external relations discipline.
– Have completed at least three years of full-time university study before beginning the internship.
– Recent graduates may also be considered if they apply within six months of completing their formal qualification.
– Be fluent in at least one of the working languages of the WHO office where the internship is based.
– Hold a valid passport issued by a WHO Member State.
– Not be related to a WHO staff member in the specified family relationships.
– Not have previously participated in the WHO Internship Programme.
Applicants should also carefully review the specific requirements listed in each internship vacancy, as conditions can differ depending on the position and duty station.
What Does the WHO Internship Offer?
Selected interns may receive several forms of support, depending on their eligibility and duty station.
Living Allowance
WHO provides a living allowance to eligible interns who require financial support, subject to the applicable conditions.
Medical and Accident Insurance
WHO provides interns with medical and accident insurance coverage for the duration of their internship.
Lunch Support
At some duty stations, interns may also receive lunch vouchers.
International Work Experience
Perhaps one of the biggest advantages is the opportunity to gain practical experience within a leading global public health organisation and work alongside professionals from different countries and disciplines.
Areas of Internship
WHO internship vacancies can cover both technical and administrative areas.
Potential areas include:
– Public health
– Medicine
– Social sciences
– Health policy
– Communications
– External relations
– Human resources
– Administration
– Other areas connected to WHO’s work
The exact opportunities available depend on current vacancies across WHO headquarters, regional offices and country offices.
How to Apply for the 2026 WHO Internship
Applications are submitted online through the WHO Careers platform.
Interested applicants should:
1. Visit the WHO Careers and internship opportunities page.
2. Search for available internship vacancies.
3. Select an internship relevant to their academic background and career interests.
4. Carefully read the specific eligibility requirements.
5. Prepare the required application information and documents.
6. Submit the application through the WHO online recruitment system.
WHO internship opportunities are posted continuously, meaning applicants are encouraged to check the vacancies regularly.
Application Deadline
Deadline: Varies
There is no single deadline for the WHO Global Internship Programme because individual internship vacancies have their own application closing dates.
Applicants should therefore apply before the deadline stated on the specific vacancy notice.
Why You Should Consider the WHO Internship
For students and recent graduates seeking careers in public health, international development, healthcare, communications or global policy, a WHO internship can provide valuable exposure to how international health programmes are designed and implemented.
It can also help participants develop professional networks and gain experience working in a multicultural international environment.
Important: Applicants should rely on the official WHO vacancy notice for the specific internship they intend to apply for, as eligibility criteria, location, duration, financial support and deadlines may vary from one position to another.
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