StudyDesk Scholarships
About the programme
OECD interns work alongside policy analysts or in corporate functions: preparing studies, collecting and analysing data, drafting notes and technical annexes, attending meetings and supporting events. Internships are primarily allocated to nationals of OECD member countries, but non-member-country nationals are also eligible for specific programmes and projects — including affiliated bodies such as the IEA, NEA, FATF and ITF.
What you get (official)
- €1,000/month contribution to living expenses per full calendar month worked (Paris-based interns).
- 2.5 days of annual leave per full month worked (for internships longer than 2 full-time months), plus OECD-observed French public holidays.
- The allowance can be paid to bank accounts inside or outside the Eurozone — a French bank account is not mandatory.
Honest limits, straight from the official FAQ: the OECD does not reimburse travel to or from Paris, public transport, or accommodation, and provides no medical insurance — interns must show proof of their own insurance before starting. Ignore aggregator pages inflating this into a "fully funded scholarship."
Eligibility
- Enrolment: full-time enrolment in an accredited degree programme (bachelor's, master's or PhD) for the entire duration of the internship, in a field related to OECD work. Online or non-degree programmes are not recognised. (Some aggregators claim "graduated within 12 months" — this is not stated on the official page.)
- Availability: at least one month; four or more months encouraged.
- Languages: excellent command of one OECD official language (English or French), plus working knowledge of — or willingness to learn — the other.
- Skills: good quantitative and IT skills, drafting and communication skills, and the ability to thrive in a multicultural team.
- Nationality: majority of places go to OECD member-country nationals; non-member nationals eligible for specific programmes and projects.
Documents required
- Online application with personal data and academic/work history (at least one entry each under Experience and Education), plus eligibility screening questions.
- Résumé attached; a cover letter in the "Message to Hiring Manager" box (max 4,000 characters) covering motivation, contribution and career goals.
- Before taking up duty: passport copy, proof of full-time enrolment, proof of medical insurance, visa/work permit if applicable, and bank details.
How to apply
- Apply online on the OECD careers platform (SmartRecruiters) before the current vacancy closes on 31 December 2026.
- Write a strong 4,000-character cover letter explaining your motivation, what you would contribute, and your career goals — this is the main document the hiring teams read.
- Wait for shortlisting: the Internship Office pre-screens and shares shortlists with Directorates; only shortlisted candidates are contacted.
- Interview/test: hiring teams may invite shortlisted candidates to an interview and/or a written test.
- Sign the agreement: selected candidates sign a tripartite internship agreement (OECD + intern + university). The OECD does not sign universities' own agreement templates.
FAQs
No. It is a paid internship with a €1,000/month living-expense contribution — not a salary and not a scholarship. Travel to Paris, accommodation, transport and medical insurance are not covered.
Yes, for specific programmes and projects — though most places go to member-country nationals. Affiliated bodies like the IEA, NEA, FATF and ITF also host interns.
Yes. The official requirement is full-time enrolment in an accredited degree programme for the internship’s entire duration. Online and non-degree programmes are not recognised.
It depends on the hiring team’s needs — the official page lists in-person, hybrid and fully remote arrangements.
The current vacancy closes 31 December 2026 and recruitment is rolling, with selection taking up to three months — apply as early as possible before your preferred start date.
It is paid per full calendar month worked, for Paris-based interns. The FAQ for the Trento Centre lists a different figure (€982.26) — that is a separate centre; use €1,000 for the Paris programme.
Verified 18 Oct 2026 against the official OECD internship pages (oecd.org/en/about/careers/internships.html and the official Internship FAQ PDF: €1,000/month contribution for Paris-based interns, 1–6 months renewable to 12, 2.5 days leave per month, no travel/accommodation/insurance reimbursement; eligibility: full-time enrolment for the internship’s duration, fluent English or French; current SmartRecruiters vacancy closes 31 Dec 2026; rolling recruitment). "Graduated within 12 months" and "fully funded scholarship" aggregator claims deliberately not repeated.
