Yes — the World Health Organization pays its interns. The WHO Internship Programme offers a living allowance of up to 2,200 US dollars per month for eligible interns who need financial support.
Internships last 6 to 24 weeks, full-time, at WHO headquarters in Geneva and at regional and country offices worldwide. There is no single deadline: vacancies are posted continuously, and each one carries its own closing date.
The key details at a glance
| Detail | What the official portal shows |
| Organisation | World Health Organization (WHO) |
| Duration | 6–24 weeks, full-time |
| Locations | Geneva HQ + regional and country offices worldwide |
| Living allowance | Up to USD 2,200/month (for eligible interns needing financial support) |
| Deadline | Rolling — each vacancy has its own closing date |
What the money really means
The headline figure is up to 2,200 dollars a month. Two qualifiers matter. First, it goes to interns who are eligible and who require financial support — it is needs-based, not automatic. Second, the exact amount is set out in each vacancy notice, so read the specific posting.
Even with those qualifiers, this is one of the more generous internship packages in the UN system. Many UN internships pay nothing at all. If you need financial support to intern in Geneva — one of the world’s most expensive cities — this allowance can make the difference between applying and not applying.
Who can apply
The requirements are specific. You must be at least 20 years old. You must be enrolled in, or have graduated within the last 18 months from, a relevant university programme — and you must have completed at least three years of university study.
You must be fluent in the working language of the office you apply to. You must hold a passport of a WHO Member State. Two exclusions apply: you must not be related to a WHO staff member, and you must not have completed a WHO internship before.
Who should not apply
Save yourself time — do not apply if:
- You are under 20.
- You graduated more than 18 months ago.
- You have already done a WHO internship — former interns cannot reapply.
- You are related to a WHO staff member.
- You cannot work full-time for the full internship period.
Why a WHO internship matters for your career
A WHO internship on your CV signals two things to future employers: you can work in a large international institution, and you care about global health. Both open doors — in the UN system, in NGOs, and in health ministries.
The network matters as much as the line on your CV. Interns work alongside professionals from dozens of countries, and those contacts often become the colleagues and referees of your future career.
How the rolling system works
There is no single internship intake. WHO posts individual internship vacancies on its careers portal throughout the year — for different teams, offices, and topics. Each vacancy has its own deadline and its own allowance details.
That means your strategy matters. Create your candidate profile on the portal in advance, so you can apply quickly when a vacancy matching your background appears. Check the portal regularly: good vacancies can close fast.
When you find a vacancy, read it fully before applying. Note the duty station, the required languages, and the exact living allowance stated. Tailor your application to that team — generic applications stand out for the wrong reasons.
More paid international internships: the WIPO Internship Programme in Geneva and the AfDB 2027 Internship Program.
Questions applicants ask
Is the WHO internship really paid?
WHO provides a living allowance of up to 2,200 US dollars per month for eligible interns who require financial support. The exact amount is stated in each vacancy notice.
How long do internships last?
Between 6 and 24 weeks, full-time.
Where are internships located?
At WHO headquarters in Geneva and at regional and country offices around the world. The duty station is stated in each vacancy.
Can I apply if I already interned at WHO?
No. Anyone who has completed a WHO internship before is not eligible to apply again.
Is there an age limit?
You must be at least 20 years old. There is no upper age limit stated, but you must meet the student-or-recent-graduate requirement.
When is the deadline?
There is no single deadline. Vacancies are posted on a rolling basis, each with its own closing date — check the portal regularly.
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