Recruitment Home \ Job Opportunities

Fund Internship Program

The Fund Internship Program provides an opportunity for highly promising graduate students pursing an advanced degree/Ph.D. in macroeconomics or a related field to gain a better understanding of the IMF's work and contribute to the institution's mission.

Program Overview

Internships are offered to about 50 graduate students each year. Thirty-five (35) to 40 internships are undertaken during the summer between May and October, and another 10 to 15 are done during the winter from November to April.

During the 10 to 13-week period, interns work under the supervision of an experienced economist to carry out a research project and prepare a paper. Their paper may be presented to staff in the department at the end of their assignment, and papers of high standard may be published internally.

Projects assigned to interns differ from year-to-year depending on the departments' work program. Research covers a broad spectrum of economic issues, as evidenced by the following topics addressed in 2007:

• Banking Systems Efficiency and Financial Development in Sub-Saharan Africa;
• Long-run Global Imbalances;
• Robust Measures of Core Inflation for Mexico;
• Nexus Between Fiscal and Monetary Policy and How It Could be Affected by Structural and Institutional Reform;
• Optimal Savings of Oil Revenue: Theory and Evidence

Who Should Apply

Students are typically pursing a Ph.D. in macroeconomics or a relevant field, such as international economics, monetary economics, public finance, econometrics, labor economics, poverty issues or financial economics. Typically, internships are sought by those who are interested in the IMF's Economist Program following graduation.

Students who are considering the IMF Internship Program:

• should be within one or two years of completing their Ph.D. in macroeconomics or relevant field;
• must be in student status, i.e., must be returning to university after their internship;
• typically are below the age of 30;
• have an excellent command of English (both written and oral); and
• must possess strong quantitative and computer skills.

While the selection process is highly competitive, candidates with diverse academic or cultural backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Selection Process

Online applications are initially screened to determine whether a candidate has the minimum qualifications to be considered for the program. Following this, the most promising candidates are identified and a table containing information on each candidate is prepared. This information, along with a copy of each candidate's application and/or CV, is forwarded to participating departments for consideration. Departments are asked to advise the Human Resources Department of their preferences among candidates, as well as the project to be undertaken.

While candidates may be selected based on how well their studies and research aligns with the department's work, candidates should not expect that an internship will provide them with an opportunity to focus on their own research interests.

Salary and Benefits

IMF interns receive:

• salary comparable to senior level support staff:
• round-trip economy class air travel to Washington, D.C. from their university; and
• limited medical insurance coverage.

Although the IMF provides information to help interns locate suitable accommodation in the Washington area, it does not find housing for interns or reimburse their housing costs.

To Apply

Graduate students who are interested in being considered for the IMF Internship Program and who meet all of the above criteria are invited to apply online according to the schedule shown below. In this regard, please note that the IMF does not accept applications or CVs outside of its online application system. Early submission is encouraged.

Link to on-line application: http://www.imf.org/external/np/adm/rec/job/howtoap.htm.