2026 Fund Internship Program (FIP) - Economists

Work for the IMF. Work for the World.

Are you ready to take your academic knowledge to new heights with an internship at one of the world’s foremost international financial institutions?

Discover the Fund Internship Program (FIP).

We offer an unparalleled opportunity to collaborate with leading experts, address real-world challenges of IMF member countries, and make a meaningful impact on global macroeconomic policies. If you’re passionate about shaping the future of economics and sustainable growth, the FIP could be your next big step!

Description

Selected applicants will undertake a 10–12-week paid internship between June and September 2026 (see the below FAQs for 2026 cohort dates). The in-person internship will be located at the IMF headquarters in Washington DC.

Under the guidance of an experienced IMF economist, you will conduct economic research and analysis on a topic determined by the Fund. Your work may culminate in a research paper and may be published internally. 

To learn more about the FIP and hear from previous cohort interns, check out the FIP page on IMF Careers.

Qualifications

To compete for the FIP, at a minimum you must be a PhD student and meet the following criteria:

• Be within one to two years of completing a PhD in macroeconomics or a related field.
• Be in student status at the time of the internship (i.e. continuing PhD studies after the internship).
• Be below the age of 32 at the commencement of the internship in June 2026.
• Have an excellent command of English, written and oral.
• Possess strong analytical, quantitative and computer skills.

You must complete an online job application, provide responses to all the questions in the technical questionnaire and upload the following as attachments under “Resume”: 

• A personal CV/Resume.
• A statement of interest or cover letter, explaining your motivation to become an IMF inter.
• Evidence of active student status and GPA: A recent transcript for the university program in which you are currently registered, or a letter from your university, confirming your active student status and recent grades.

Only candidates who are identified for further consideration will be contacted by a FIP recruiter. Incomplete applications will be rejected.

Previous interns who participated in the FIP will not be considered and need not re-apply.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Fund Internship Program (FIP)

Is this a paid Internship?

Yes, this is a full-time, paid internship (40 work hours per week).

What kind of visa would I need, and would the IMF facilitate this?

If you are not a citizen or permanent resident of the U.S., and do not have another work authorization that would allow you to work at the IMF, you will need a G4 visa. We will provide the paperwork necessary to facilitate your G4 visa request with U.S. authorities.

What are the minimum and maximum durations of the Internship?

The minimum duration is 10 weeks, and the maximum duration is 12 weeks.

Will someone notify me when my internship application is received by your office?

You will receive a system-automated acknowledgement of your application. Only candidates who are shortlisted for further consideration will be contacted by a research supervisor and/or a FIP recruiter.

If I were to be selected for an internship, when would I start?

Summer 2026 internships may commence on either one of the two assigned dates -- June 1 (ending on August 21) and June 15 (ending on September 4). Which start date will apply to you will be confirmed at the time of the offer.

Are there any exceptions to the age limit?  

The only exception is for time spent in mandatory military service.

Does the IMF provide housing for non-local interns?

The IMF does not provide housing or housing assistance. Interns are responsible for finding and securing their own accommodations. Some useful resources will be shared with selected interns during the hiring process.

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Hiring For:

The IMF is guided by the principle that the employment, classification, promotion, and assignment of staff shall be made without discrimination against any person. We welcome requests for reasonable accommodations for disabilities during the selection process. Information on how to request accommodations will be provided during the application process.