The OECD Young Associates Programme is a full-time, two-year professional assignment for current or recent bachelor’s students preparing for later postgraduate study. Young Associates work in Paris with senior managers on policy research, analysis, drafting, partner liaison and event coordination.
The 2026–28 round spans work areas including economics, public governance, climate finance, health data, anti-bribery, energy, technology, privacy and trade. Applications for that round are closed, and OECD has not announced the next opening date.
Benefits & funding
- Monthly salary of EUR 3,886, exempt from French income tax; health-insurance and leaving-allowance contributions are deducted.
- Leaving allowance of approximately EUR 21,000 for a 24-month assignment, in place of a pension contribution.
- Comprehensive medical insurance.
- Eligible participants may receive expatriation and home-leave allowances, an installation allowance equal to one month’s salary for single candidates, removal-cost reimbursement and flights to Paris and back to their home destination after the programme.
- Each Young Associate receives a training budget; OECD does not state its amount.
Eligibility
- For the 2026–28 round, hold or expect a bachelor’s or equivalent degree in a field related to the chosen position, with a graduation date from 1 January 2025 through 1 September 2026. Current bachelor’s students and recent bachelor’s graduates can qualify.
- Do not already hold or be enrolled in a master’s, PhD or equivalent degree.
- Be a national of one of the 38 OECD member countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye, United Kingdom or United States.
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA equivalent to 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- Be fluent in English or French and commit to reaching a good working level in the other language after joining.
- Be able to begin the two-year assignment in Paris in September 2026 and be no older than the stated age limit of 65.
- No prior professional experience is required, and no separate residency or gender restriction is stated; OECD assists selected candidates with the visa needed to live and work in France.
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
Australia · Austria · Belgium · Canada · Chile · Colombia · Costa Rica · Czechia · Denmark · Estonia · Finland · France
+ 26 more
Germany · Greece · Hungary · Iceland · Ireland · Israel · Italy · Japan · South Korea · Latvia · Lithuania · Luxembourg · Mexico · Netherlands · New Zealand · Norway · Poland · Portugal · Slovakia · Slovenia · Spain · Sweden · Switzerland · Türkiye · UK · USA
Education required
Bachelor Enrolled · Bachelor
Experience required
≥ 0 yrs
Age requirement
≤ 65 yrs
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Application process
- 1When a round opens, select one or more relevant YAP vacancies on the OECD Careers website; a separate application may be submitted for each suitable assignment.
- 2Complete the online application with a résumé, a cover letter in the Message to Hiring Manager section, eligibility answers and referee email addresses.
- 3If retained, proceed through screening, an online aptitude test, a self-recorded video interview, and an interview plus written test with the hiring team.
- 4Successful candidates receive an offer and later provide a passport copy, academic transcript showing GPA, and bachelor’s diploma or equivalent.
Program timeline
14 November 2025
Applications opened for the 2026–28 round.
Application deadline.
14 December 2025, 23:59 CET
Screening and invitations to the online aptitude test.
December 2025
Further assessments, including possible video interviews and a written assessment.
January–February 2026
Final selections and employment offers.
March–April 2026
Young Associates take up duty in Paris for the 24-month assignment.
September 2026