IMF Fund Internship Program (FIP)

The Fund Internship Program (FIP) places about 50 graduate students each year at the International Monetary Fund headquarters in Washington, D.C., for a paid assignment of 10 to 12 weeks during the northern-hemisphere summer. The IMF was founded in 1944 and today has 191 member countries, so interns work in a genuinely multinational setting on research, data analysis, and report preparation alongside staff economists. Most placements sit in economics-focused departments, but the Legal Department also recruits interns in the first or second year of an LLM or J.D. The programme covers a monthly stipend, round-trip economy airfare to Washington, D.C., and limited assistance toward housing, so the placement is fully funded for the intern. Eligibility is age-bound: PhD candidates must be under 32 and Master's candidates under 28 at the start date, and all applicants must be enrolled graduate students intending to continue their studies afterwards. Non-US nationals receive a G4 visa, while F-1 holders must supply valid CPT authorisation. Because the stipend rate, travel allowance, and application window are reset each cycle, confirm the exact current-cycle figures and the 2026 deadline on the official IMF internships page before you apply.

What's covered

• Monthly stipend — A monthly salary estimated at about ~US$5,000 (est.) for the assignment; confirm the current-cycle rate on the official IMF page.
• Round-trip airfare — Economy-class round-trip travel between the intern's home base and Washington, D.C., is provided by the IMF.
• Housing support — Limited assistance toward accommodation in the Washington, D.C., area during the placement (value varies by cycle, ~US$2,000 (est.)).
• G4 visa sponsorship — Non-US nationals selected for the programme are sponsored for the G4 visa required to work at the IMF, at no cost to the intern.
• Mentorship and supervision — Each intern is assigned a staff supervisor who provides guidance, feedback, and a project to deliver within the placement.
• Networking access — Interns join Fund-wide seminars and events, building contacts across IMF departments and with peers from other countries.

How to apply

Applications are submitted online through the IMF careers portal during the published recruitment window, typically in the autumn before the summer placement.

1. Check eligibility — Confirm you are an enrolled graduate student (or recent graduate within one year) in economics, finance, or a related field and within the age limit.
2. Complete the online application — Create a profile on the IMF careers portal and fill in personal details, education, work history, and a cover letter explaining your interest.
3. Upload supporting documents — Attach a CV/resume, academic transcripts, and at least one letter of recommendation from a professor or supervisor.
4. Submit before the deadline — Send the completed application before the published closing date; late applications are not considered.
5. Attend an interview if shortlisted — After the deadline the IMF reviews applications and invites shortlisted candidates to interview before making offers.