The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is offering a paid research internship in Washington, D.C. for PhD students in macroeconomics or a related field. It is the Fund Internship Program (FIP) for Economists, running 10 to 12 weeks from 7 June to 27 August 2027.
Submit your application by 4 December 2026. Most vacancy reports give 5 December 2026, but one detailed guide gives 4 December 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Washington, D.C. time, and the official IMF programme page states no deadline. Treating 4 December as your deadline is the safe choice.
Two rules to read before you apply
First, the IMF does not provide housing. You must arrange and pay for your own place to stay in Washington, D.C. for the full internship, so check whether that cost fits your budget before you apply.
Second, previous participants in the Fund Internship Program may not reapply. If you have already taken part in this programme, this vacancy is not open to you, even if you meet every other condition.
Key details at a glance
| Detail | What is confirmed |
|---|---|
| Organisation | International Monetary Fund (IMF) |
| Location | IMF Headquarters, Washington, D.C., USA (on-site, full-time) |
| Duration | 10 to 12 weeks, 7 June to 27 August 2027 |
| Working hours | 40 hours per week |
| Funding | Paid internship; exact stipend amount not published |
| Safe application date | 4 December 2026 |
What the work actually involves
You will work on an individual research project with an IMF supervisor, from shaping a research question to giving a clear view on a policy issue. This is real IMF work, not shadowing or general office help.
Economics topics include inflation, financial stability, inequality and digital transformation. Many interns present findings to IMF staff, and some see their work published, although neither is promised to every intern.
Who can apply, and who should not
You are a strong fit if you are a PhD student in macroeconomics or a related field, within one to two years of completing your PhD, enrolled during the internship and returning to your studies afterwards. You must also be under 32 when it begins, with excellent English and strong analytical, quantitative and computer skills.
The age rule has one stated exception, for time spent in mandatory military service. Apart from that, the limit is firm, so do not assume flexibility if you will already be 32 when the internship starts.
You should not apply if you have finished your PhD and will not return to study, if you are only starting doctoral study, or if you have already completed the Fund Internship Program. Pause too if you cannot be in Washington, D.C. for the whole period, as interns must be available to work there throughout.
Use this as a quick self-check before applying:
- You are close to finishing a PhD in macroeconomics or a related field, not just starting one.
- You will still be a student during the internship and will go back to your studies after it.
- You are under 32 at the start, or the military service exception clearly applies to you.
- You can live in Washington, D.C. for 10 to 12 weeks and cover your own housing.
Pay, travel and the costs you must plan for
The internship is paid and full-time at 40 hours per week, but the exact stipend amount is not published. This article therefore gives no figure, and you should not rely on any number quoted by unofficial sources.
The programme also provides round-trip restricted economy air travel from your university to Washington, D.C., and medical insurance during the internship. “Restricted” means the ticket has limits set by the IMF, so read the travel terms given on selection.
Non-US citizens receive G4 visa documentation support from the IMF, but must still complete the visa process themselves.
Housing is the gap to plan for: 10 to 12 weeks of rent, food and local travel in Washington, D.C. will add up quickly, so check realistic rents near the IMF headquarters before you apply.
How to apply
Apply through the IMF Careers system, using the vacancy titled “2027 Fund Internship Program (FIP) – Economists”, requisition 26-R9863. The button below takes you to the official IMF programme page, from which you can reach the IMF Careers vacancy.
Complete the online technical questionnaire and upload these documents:
- Your CV or resume.
- A statement of interest or cover letter explaining why you want to work at the IMF.
- Proof of current student status and academic performance, either a recent transcript or a letter from your university confirming active enrolment and recent grades.
Incomplete applications will not be considered, so check every upload before you submit, and finish by 4 December 2026, the safe date explained above.
How to make a strong application
Your statement of interest matters more than a long list of courses. In plain language, explain one research question you care about, why it matters for economic policy, and how it links to the IMF’s work.
Your CV should show research skills a supervisor can use at once: data work, quantitative methods and written research, even a working paper or strong dissertation chapter. Answer the technical questionnaire with equal care, as vague answers can weaken an otherwise strong file.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Is the IMF Fund Internship Program paid?
A: Yes, it is a paid, full-time internship at 40 hours per week. The exact stipend amount is not published, and housing is not provided.
Q: What is the safe application deadline?
A: Apply by 4 December 2026. Most vacancy reports give 5 December 2026, but one detailed guide gives 4 December 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Washington, D.C. time, and the official programme page does not state a deadline.
Q: Can I apply if I took part in the Fund Internship Program before?
A: No. Previous participants in the Fund Internship Program may not reapply.
Related opportunities
See also the UNDP Washington internships, the OECD Internship Programme in Paris and the WTO Internship Programme in Geneva.
