OECD Internship Programme (Paid, Paris)

The OECD Internship Programme is open — and unlike most internships, applications are accepted year-round on a rolling basis, with no fixed closing date to race against. Interns based at OECD headquarters in Paris receive a contribution of €1,000 per month towards living expenses. The internship lasts a minimum of one month, typically four to six months, and can be renewed up to twelve months in total.

The OECD — the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development — is the Paris-based international organisation where governments compare policies and share data on economics, climate, education, digitalisation and more. As an intern, you work inside real policy teams, not on the sidelines.

Key details at a glance

What interns actually do at the OECD

OECD interns are placed in policy teams across economics, climate and environment, digitalisation, education, employment, governance, trade and more. The day-to-day work depends on the team, but generally includes research, data analysis, drafting reports and briefs, and helping prepare meetings and publications.

This is real policy work in an international organisation, not coffee-running. OECD publications and datasets are used by governments worldwide, so the research you contribute to can end up in reports that shape actual policy decisions. That is the core value of the internship: a CV line that says you worked on international policy at one of the most respected institutions in the field.

Are you eligible? Check this carefully

Eligibility is narrower than many people expect. To apply, you must be enrolled full-time in a degree programme — a Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD — at an accredited institution for the entire duration of the internship. If you graduate before the internship ends, you are not eligible. Students in online-only programmes are not accepted, which is a stated exclusion on the official page.

On languages, you need excellent command of either English or French, and a willingness to learn the other. The OECD works in both languages — a practical requirement, not a preference, and you will genuinely need both to get the most out of the experience.

The strongest candidates are usually mid-degree students (often Master’s level) whose studies directly relate to the policy field of the team they target. A generic application rarely succeeds; your background should visibly match the team’s work.

Money, leave and duration — the practical facts

The €1,000 per month contribution is confirmed for interns based in Paris. Do not assume the same figure applies to regional offices — the sources confirm it for Paris, so treat other locations as unconfirmed. It is a contribution to living expenses, not a full salary: Paris is an expensive city, so plan your budget accordingly.

You earn 2.5 days of annual leave for each month worked, on top of French public holidays. The standard placement is four to six months — long enough for meaningful work and short enough for a study gap. The twelve-month maximum exists, but reaching it means the internship has to be renewed, which is not automatic.

How to apply — and why timing is everything

There is no fixed deadline, but that does not mean you can apply whenever you like and start next week. The OECD advises applying two to three months before your intended start date, and selection itself can take up to three months. Plan backwards: for a June start, apply in March at the latest.

1. Open the official OECD internships page and read the full programme details.
2. Identify the policy areas that match your studies — economics, climate, digitalisation, education, and others.
3. Prepare your CV and motivation letter in English or French, tailored to the specific team or field you want to join.
4. Submit your application online two to three months before your intended start date, and be patient — selection can take up to three months.

Why the rolling deadline is a double-edged sword

A rolling deadline sounds like freedom — apply whenever you are ready. In practice, it means there is no urgency forcing you to act, and many strong candidates keep postponing until “later” and never apply. Teams also hire when they have a need, not on a fixed calendar, so availability varies through the year.

The smart move is to apply when your profile is strongest (after a relevant semester or project), and target start dates when teams are likely to need help — for example, before major publication deadlines or conference seasons.

Who should apply — and who should not

You are a strong fit if you are a full-time Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD student at an accredited institution, studying something connected to public policy — economics, international relations, law, data science, environmental studies or education — and you are comfortable working in English or French while learning the other.

You should not apply if you are graduating before the internship would end, if your programme is online-only, or if you are looking for a full salary rather than a living-expenses contribution. If you cannot commit two to three months ahead of your start date, the timeline will not work. If you are weighing other research-oriented placements in Europe, you may also want to look at the Max Planck Internship in Computer Science (Germany) and the EPFL Life Sciences Summer Research Program 2027.

Frequently asked questions