The Asian Development Bank (ADB) Internship Program places graduate students in research assignments at ADB, mainly at its headquarters in Manila, Philippines. Interns work under an ADB staff supervisor on a project that reflects the bank’s current business needs, contributing to policy research and knowledge sharing on development across Asia and the Pacific.
The program runs for a minimum of 8 to a maximum of 12 weeks, with interns typically starting in June. It offers hands-on experience inside a major multilateral development bank alongside professionals from over 50 countries.
Benefits & funding
- Paid internship: all interns receive a stipend for the duration of the internship (the official page does not publish a set amount).
- ADB covers a limited part of the airfare cost when air travel between home and the duty station is necessary.
- Hands-on research experience in an international development organization, with deep insight into development finance.
- Global exposure through collaboration with ADB professionals from more than 50 countries.
- Note: interns cover their own accommodation, local transportation, food, and part of the airfare.
Eligibility
- Be a national of an ADB member country (69 members — the full list is in the structured fields).
- Be enrolled in a Master’s or PhD-level program at a school located in an ADB member country for the entire duration of the internship.
- Possess an excellent command of English.
- Be engaged in academic study in a field directly related to ADB’s work (a wide range of academic backgrounds is welcome).
- 2–3 years of relevant professional experience is preferred but not required.
- Undergraduate students, past ADB interns, and close relatives of ADB staff are not eligible.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Eligible nationalities
Afghanistan · Armenia · Australia · Azerbaijan · Bangladesh · Bhutan · Brunei · Cambodia · China · Cook Islands · Fiji · Georgia
+ 57 more
Hong Kong · India · Indonesia · Japan · Kazakhstan · Kiribati · South Korea · Kyrgyzstan · Laos · Malaysia · Maldives · Marshall Islands · Micronesia · Mongolia · Myanmar · Nauru · Nepal · New Zealand · Niue · Pakistan · Palau · Papua New Guinea · Philippines · Samoa · Singapore · Solomon Islands · Sri Lanka · Taiwan · Tajikistan · Thailand · Timor-Leste · Tonga · Türkiye · Turkmenistan · Tuvalu · Uzbekistan · Vanuatu · Vietnam · Austria · Belgium · Canada · Denmark · Finland · France · Germany · Ireland · Israel · Italy · Luxembourg · Netherlands · Norway · Portugal · Spain · Sweden · Switzerland · UK · USA
Education required
Master Enrolled · PhD Enrolled
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Application process
- 1Choose an assignment from those posted under the program’s “Current Opportunities” (each assignment carries its own strict deadline).
- 2Submit the application through the ADB Career and Employment System (ACES), with documents such as a CV and proof of enrolment, before the assignment deadline; late submissions are not accepted.
- 3Shortlisted candidates are invited for an interview.
- 4Selections are made in March–April for interns starting in June.
Program timeline
Application deadline for the 2026 program cycle (now closed)
Mar 16, 2026
Selection and interviews
March–April
Internships typically begin
June
8–12 weeks after start
Internship ends