StudyDesk Scholarships
About the programme
The Fund Internship Program (FIP) for Economists is the International Monetary Fund’s summer internship for economics PhD students. Interns spend 10 to 12 weeks, full-time at 40 hours a week, at IMF Headquarters in Washington, D.C., from 7 June 2027 to 27 August 2027, working on an individual research project under an IMF supervisor and alongside experienced economists. Research areas can include inflation, financial stability, inequality and digital transformation, and interns may present their findings to IMF staff.
The internship is paid, but the stipend amount was not stated in the guides checked, so this article states no figure. Guides report round-trip restricted economy-class air travel between the intern’s university and Washington, D.C., and limited medical insurance. Housing is not provided: interns arrange their own accommodation, so budget for Washington, D.C. rents separately.
On the deadline, most guides agree on 5 December 2026, but one guide gives 4 December 2026 (11:59 p.m. Washington, D.C. time). Because the difference is a single day, apply by 4 December 2026 to be safe, and check the live vacancy on the IMF Careers portal for the confirmed closing time.
Benefits
- A paid, full-time internship (40 hours a week) for 10 to 12 weeks at IMF Headquarters.
- Hands-on macroeconomic research experience on a real policy project, with an IMF supervisor.
- Guides report round-trip restricted economy air travel and limited medical insurance.
- G4 visa documentation support for non-US citizens and residents who need it.
- The chance to present research findings and build a network inside international economic policy.
Who can apply
- You are a PhD student in macroeconomics or a related field, within one to two years of completing the PhD.
- You are enrolled as a student at the time of the internship and will return to academic studies afterward.
- You are under 32 when the internship begins in June 2027. The only exception to the age limit is time spent in mandatory military service.
- You have excellent written and spoken English, and strong analytical, quantitative and computer skills.
- You have not previously taken part in the Fund Internship Program — previous participants cannot reapply.
Documents required
- CV or résumé
- Statement of interest or cover letter explaining your motivation for joining the IMF
- Evidence of current student status and academic performance — a recent transcript, or an official letter confirming active enrolment and recent grades
- The completed online technical questionnaire, which is part of the application
How to apply
- Open the official IMF Careers portal and find the 2027 Fund Internship Program (FIP) – Economists vacancy.
- Complete the online application and the technical questionnaire.
- Upload your CV, your statement of interest or cover letter, and your transcript or enrolment-and-grades letter.
- Review everything and submit before the deadline — by 4 December 2026 to be safe against the one guide that gives 4 December rather than 5 December. Incomplete applications are not considered.
- Wait for contact: you will receive an automated confirmation, and only shortlisted candidates are contacted for further consideration.
FAQs
The internship is paid, but the stipend amount was not stated in the guides checked, so this article states no figure. Check the live IMF vacancy for the current compensation terms.
No. Guides state interns arrange their own accommodation, so budget for Washington, D.C. housing separately.
Most guides give 5 December 2026, but one gives 4 December 2026. Apply by 4 December to be safe, and check the live vacancy for the confirmed closing time.
No. Previous Fund Internship Program participants are not eligible to reapply.
Non-US citizens and residents receive G4 visa documentation support from the IMF; the IMF provides the supporting documentation for the visa process.
Verified 30 Oct 2026 against five corroborating 2027 FIP guides (After School Africa; Opportunities for Youth; YouthExpat; Opportunities Radar; ScholarshipsEdge) agreeing on the 5 December 2026 deadline, the 7 June–27 August 2027 dates, the 10–12 week full-time format, and the eligibility rules, plus the official IMF Fund Internship Program page (imf.org/en/About/Recruitment/working-at-the-imf/fund-internship-program) as the application route. One guide (OpportunityLab) gives 4 December 2026, so the article advises applying by 4 December. No stipend amount was stated in the guides checked, so none is stated.
