OECD Internship Programme 2025/26: Internship in Paris23 Views

style="text-align: justify;">The programme is structured to help you:

• • Build strong analytical and technical skills in an international, multidisciplinary setting
  • Gain first-hand experience of evidence-based policymaking, from data collection and analysis to drafting findings and recommendations
  • Develop a professional network that includes economists, statisticians, lawyers, social scientists and policymakers from different countries
  • Work in a bilingual environment, where English and French are widely used as working languages

For many students, the OECD Internship 2025/26 becomes a launchpad into roles in international organisations, government ministries, central banks, think tanks, research institutes, consulting firms and competitive graduate programmes in public policy or international affairs.

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Structure and Duration of the Internship

The OECD Internship Programme provides greater flexibility than many other international internship schemes, which is one of its distinguishing features.

Internships typically:

• • Run from one to six months for the initial placement
  • May be extended up to a total of twelve months, depending on project requirements and performance
  • Are full-time roles, although some teams may offer limited flexibility around working hours where feasible

Because recruitment operates on

a rolling basis, you can submit an application at any time during the year. After you apply, different teams can review your profile as their needs arise. To improve your chances of being considered for the 2025/26 cycle, it is wise to apply two to three months before your ideal start date so that there is sufficient time for screening and interviews.

Areas of Work: From Policy Research to Corporate Functions

A major advantage of the OECD Internship Programme 2025/26 is the diversity of work areas available. Depending on your background and interests, you may be placed in a policy directorate or in corporate and support services.

Policy and Research-Oriented Assignments

Policy-focused internships can involve contributions to areas such as:

• • Economy, statistics and public finance
  • Education, skills and employment policy
  • Environment, climate and energy policy
  • Innovation, science, digitalisation and technology governance
  • Trade, investment and taxation
  • Governance, regulation, integrity and anti-corruption
  • Migration, health, social policy, regional development and related domains

In these roles, you may analyse datasets, contribute to sections of policy reports, support working papers, help build indicators or participate in the preparation of country and thematic reviews.

Corporate and Support Functions

Some interns join corporate services rather

than policy units. These assignments may cover:

• • Communications, media relations and public outreach
  • Event management and stakeholder engagement activities
  • Human resources and general administrative support
  • Finance, budgeting and accounting tasks
  • IT, data management, digital services and knowledge management
  • Legal affairs, translation and document production

Eligibility for the OECD Internship Programme 2025/26

To be eligible for the OECD Internship 2025/26, you must meet clearly defined criteria that ensure alignment between your profile and the organisation’s work.

Applicants should:

• • Be enrolled full-time in a bachelor’s, master’s or PhD programme at a recognised higher education institution for the entire duration of the internship
  • Be studying a discipline linked to the OECD’s mandate, such as economics, public policy, law, statistics, data science, international relations, environmental science, sociology or related fields
  • Be available for at least one month, with a preference for candidates who can commit to longer placements
  • Have excellent English or French skills and at least a working knowledge (or readiness to improve) in the other language
  • Possess solid quantitative and IT skills, including familiarity with standard office tools and, where relevant, data or statistical software
  • Demonstrate strong drafting, communication and organisational skills, together with the ability to work effectively as part of a team
  • Show genuine motivation for international cooperation and clear alignment with the OECD’s mission and values

Most internships are filled by students from OECD member countries. However, opportunities may also be available to candidates from partner and non-member economies, particularly through associated bodies such as the International Energy Agency or the Nuclear Energy Agency, when specific projects require broader participation.

Allowance, Benefits and Working Conditions

The OECD offers a paid internship, which sets it apart from many unpaid international placements. Interns stationed in Paris receive a monthly contribution to living expenses, currently around €1,000, which can help defray the costs of accommodation, local transport and everyday living needs.

In addition, interns:

• • Accumulate 2.5 days of leave per month for internships lasting longer than two months
  • Benefit from official OECD public holidays at their duty station
  • Work under the supervision of experienced staff, with regular feedback and the opportunity to attend internal seminars, workshops and public events

Working arrangements continue to evolve, and some directorates may allow hybrid or fully remote setups when the tasks can be effectively delivered online. This flexibility is particularly valuable for students who cannot relocate to Paris but still wish to gain OECD experience and a global policy perspective.

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Application Timeline for 2025/26

For the OECD Internship Programme 2025/26, the application process follows a continuous, rolling model rather than a single fixed deadline.

Applications are:

• • Submitted throughout the year via the OECD online careers portal
  • Reviewed on an ongoing basis by human resources and relevant directorates
  • Linked to a generic internship vacancy that typically remains open until late February, after which a revised call is issued for the next cycle

How to Apply and Strengthen Your Application

You must submit your application online through the OECD Internship Programme vacancy listed on the OECD careers site. The process is straightforward, but competition is high, so thoughtful preparation is important.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Typically, you will:

1. 1. Create an online account on the OECD careers portal and complete your personal, academic and work history details.
   2. Upload an up-to-date CV, clearly summarising your education, skills, relevant experience and language proficiency.
   3. Answer eligibility and screening questions confirming your student status, availability and field of study.
   4. Prepare a concise cover letter (labelled “Message to Hiring Manager”) explaining:
      • Why you want to intern at the OECD
      • How your skills and academic background match the organisation’s areas of work
      • How the internship fits into your academic trajectory and long-term professional goals

Tips to Strengthen Your OECD Internship Application

To improve your chances in the 2025/26 selection process:

• • Tailor your CV and cover letter to specific policy domains, such as “education and skills,” “climate and energy,” “tax and public finance,” or “digital policy and data governance.”
  • Emphasise quantitative, research and writing skills, including experience with statistical software, coding languages, survey methods or qualitative research tools.
  • Highlight international exposure, such as exchange programmes, prior internships, volunteering, conferences or collaborative projects with peers and institutions from other countries.
  • Show familiarity with recent OECD reports, policy briefs or datasets in your area of interest, and refer to them briefly in your motivation statement to demonstrate genuine engagement and preparation.

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Who Is the OECD Internship Programme 2025/26 For?

The programme is especially suitable for students and early-career professionals who:

• • Intend to explore careers in international organisations, global public policy or development cooperation
  • Enjoy working with data, research evidence and complex policy questions
  • Feel comfortable in multicultural, multidisciplinary teams and are open to learning from diverse perspectives
  • Are ready to contribute actively to live projects rather than limiting themselves to observation

By contrast, the programme may be less suitable for candidates focused solely on corporate, purely commercial or sales-oriented careers without a public-interest or policy dimension. The OECD Internship Programme is best viewed as a training ground for those who see their future in public policy, research or international governance.

Final Thoughts

The OECD Internship Programme 2025/26 combines paid professional experience, international exposure and real involvement in high-level policy work. For students committed to careers in public policy, international development, economics, governance or evidence-based decision making, it offers a structured way to test their ambitions while contributing to projects with global relevance.

If you meet the eligibility criteria and believe your academic background aligns with the OECD’s areas of activity, it is worth preparing your documents well in advance, reviewing the organisation’s latest publications and submitting a focused, well-argued application. A few months at the OECD in Paris—or at one of its affiliated bodies—can broaden your understanding of global policy processes and create opportunities for your next academic or professional step.

References

OECD Internship Programme

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)