Fund Internship Program (FIP) — Internship

The Fund Internship Program is an annual, paid summer research internship run by the International Monetary Fund. Approximately 50 students from around the world join IMF headquarters in Washington, D.C., each year for 10 to 12 weeks between June and October.

Interns work with an experienced IMF colleague on a research question relevant to the Fund’s member countries and global economic stability. Economic and Legal Department routes have distinct academic requirements, which the current vacancy notice defines in full.

Benefits & funding

Competitive salary.
Round-trip restricted economy-class air travel from the intern’s university to Washington, D.C.
Limited medical insurance coverage.
The IMF does not provide housing or housing assistance.

Eligibility

The IMF recruits globally, and no residency requirement is stated.
The recruitment overview identifies current Master’s and PhD students in monetary policy, international economics, public finance, financial markets, or related fields as the target group for economic internships.
Economic-route applicants need strong analytical and quantitative skills and excellent written and spoken English. The program page states that PhD applicants must remain active students and return to university after the internship, and must be under 32 when the internship starts.
Legal Department applicants must be within one to two years of completing an LLM, J.D., or equivalent advanced law degree and must be under 32 when the internship begins.
Applicants without U.S. citizenship, permanent residence, or other valid work authorization need a G4 visa; the IMF provides supporting paperwork. Students in the United States on F-1 visas must obtain acceptable work authorization such as CPT.
The active vacancy notice should be checked for the full route-specific requirements before applying.

Can you apply?

Here's who can apply

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Education required
Master Enrolled · PhD Enrolled
Age requirement
≤ 31 yrs

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Application process

1
Check the IMF Career Site when FIP vacancies are typically posted in early December.
2
Select the relevant vacancy and complete the online application form in English.
3
Upload a required resume and a cover letter explaining the applicant’s fit for the vacancy; relevant additional documents may also be attached within the portal limits.
4
Submit through the IMF Career Site. The system sends an acknowledgement, and only shortlisted candidates are contacted by a recruiter.

Program timeline

FIP vacancies are typically posted on the IMF Career Site.
Early December
After the vacancy closes
Applications receive initial review, with shortlisted candidates contacted for further assessment.
Paid internships take place for 10 to 12 weeks at IMF headquarters.
June–October