UNHCR Internship Programme for Students & Recent Graduates 2026

UNHCR is looking for talented, motivated, and passionate individuals—like you—from around the world who bring knowledge, innovative thinking and different ideas to enhance our capacity to support people forced to flee.

UNHCR’s Internship Programme offers eligible students and recent graduates the opportunity to gain experience in the humanitarian sector in line with their academic programme and future career aspirations.

Summary

1. Application Deadline: Not specified
2. Value: Monthly allowance (50%–70% of GS Level 3 salary, depending on duty station)
3. Study Level: Undergraduate & Graduate students / Recent graduates (within 2 years)
4. Sponsor: UNHCR – United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
5. Course to Study: Humanitarian-related fields, including Social Sciences, Protection, Law, Communications, International Relations, Data, Administration, Logistics
6. Eligible Country: All nationalities

Eligibility Criteria for UNHCR Internship Programme for Students & Recent Graduates 2026

To be considered for an internship, candidates must:

1. be a recent graduate* or current student in a graduate/undergraduate school programme from a university or higher education facility accredited by UNESCO
2. have completed at least two years of undergraduate studies in a field relevant to, or of interest to, the work of the organization
3. not have immediate relatives (father, mother, brother, or sister) working for UNHCR as a staff member on any contract type or as an affiliate at the time of application
4. not have exhausted the maximum cumulative internship period with UNHCR, including any prior internships (8 months for full-time and 12 months for part-time)
5. be proficient in English at minimum B2 level.

*Recent graduates are considered to be candidates who completed their studies within two years of applying for an internship with UNHCR.

Benefits of UNHCR Internship Programme for Students & Recent Graduates 2026

Interns who do not receive financial support from an outside party will receive an allowance to partially help support costs related to food, local transportation and living expenses.

The allowance for full-time internships corresponds to:

1. 50% of the monthly net salary of the General Service (GS) level 3 step 1 in “H” duty stations*
2. 70% of the monthly net salary of the GS level 3 step 1 in all other duty stations

The allowance for part-time internships is calculated at 50% of the applicable rate of the full-time allowance at the respective duty station. Remote internships are also compensated.

Unless provided or paid by their sponsoring entities, UNHCR will also reimburse interns engaged from a location outside the country of the duty station for return travel costs to/from the duty station by the most economical route available irrespective of the duration of the journey. It is the intern’s responsibility to arrange for a visa and to cover related visa costs. UNHCR can provide support with the required documents.

*Read more about salary scales and UN duty station categories.

Medical insurance

Before the start of an internship with UNHCR, candidates are responsible for arranging medical insurance and for providing proof to UNHCR of valid medical insurance covering the period of the contract. UNHCR accepts no responsibility for any costs connected to medical insurance of interns, nor does the organization cover the costs for medical evacuation of interns. Interns working in locations where medical facilities are inadequate are advised to ensure that their medical insurance covers emergency medical evacuation.

Furthermore, the health insurance selected by interns should provide the necessary geographical coverage for both accident and illness.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should apply via the main UNHCR recruitment platform.

Our Application and selection page explains how create an account in the recruitment platform and apply for roles. We also encourage you to read our internship FAQs before you submit an application.

For more information view, UNHCR Internship Program

Application Deadline

Not Specified

Application Link(s)

• Apply for UNHCR Internship Programme for Students & Recent Graduates 2026