Fund Internship Program

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The Fund Internship Program (FIP) offers a summer internship where participants contribute to work that supports the IMF's 191 member countries.
Interns gain hands-on experience, strengthen research skills, and build a professional network in an international environment.
Interns work closely with experienced IMF staff and contribute to ongoing research or operational work; many interns present findings to IMF staff and some see their work published.
Typical structure: individual research project with an IMF supervisor.

Eligibility: Graduate students in economics and specialized fields
Age limit: Under 32 at the time of entry
Structure: Individual research project with IMF supervisor
Outcome: Practical research experience and a professional network
Location requirement: Available to work in Washington, DC for the full internship period

As a Fund intern, responsibilities run from defining research questions to providing real-world perspectives on policy issues.
Economics internship topics: inflation dynamics, financial stability, inequality, and digital transformation.
Legal internship topics: financial regulation, legal frameworks, and cross-country comparisons.
Specialized internship topics: cybersecurity, AI, audio-visual services, language services, and more.

Background: Graduate student (PhD for economic internships; Master’s for specialized internships)
Field of study: Economics, finance, public policy, law, technology, and other specialized fields
Skills: Strong analytical, quantitative, and specialized skills
Languages: Excellent written and spoken English
Status: Returning to academic studies after the internship

Fund interns gain exposure to the IMF’s work and build skills that support careers in academia, policy, and international organizations—including the IMF.
Selected intern testimonials:
- "I have learned a new methodology, expanded my literature reading and worked at collaborating with other economists. This has been a great learning opportunity that I will carry into the rest of my PhD work and future jobs." — Katrien Smuts, former FIP
- "It is reaffirming to see how my academic efforts could potentially translate into tangible policy impacts. This has given me confidence and reinforced my belief in macroeconomic research and has motivated me to continue pursuing this path with even greater passion and dedication." — Jiayi Li, former FIP
- "I learned a great deal about IT project management and the importance of adhering to security protocols. The structured work environment helped me develop better time management and organizational skills. One of the most valuable takeaways is the network of contacts I established, not only with Fund employees but also with other interns." — Adam Lagssaibi, former FIP