One of the most pressing challenges of our time is feeding a growing world sustainably — and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is at the heart of solving it. The FAO Internship Programme 2026 is a learning opportunity aimed at attracting talented young women and men who are strongly motivated to share their new perspectives, innovative ideas, and latest research experience in FAO’s domains — providing selected students and recent graduates with the opportunity to supplement their academic knowledge with practical work experience in a field related to FAO’s mandate. Scholarship Union With internship openings across FAO’s global offices, this is your entry point into the United Nations system.
Who Should Apply
To be eligible, candidates must be nationals of FAO Member countries, be currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree programme at a recognized institution or be recent graduates and be aged between 21 and 30 at the start of their internship. Candidates must have working knowledge of at least one FAO official language — English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, or Russian — with knowledge of a second language considered an asset.
Additional requirements include:
Academic Background Candidates must specialize in a field relevant to FAO’s mission and work — such as agriculture, food security, economics, social sciences, environmental science, nutrition, forestry, fisheries, or international development. FAO only considers qualifications from institutions accredited on the World Higher Education Database (WHED).
Visa & Residence Candidates should have appropriate residence or immigration status in the country of assignment prior to the start of their internship. Candidates with immediate family members — defined as brother, sister, mother, or father employed by FAO under any type of contract are not eligible.
Previous FAO interns cannot apply again this opportunity is strictly for first-time participants.
Where Can You Intern
FAO has opened internship calls across seven regional and headquarters-based programmes, including:
- FAO Headquarters — Rome, Italy
- Regional Office for Africa (RAF)
- Regional Office for Near East & North Africa
- Regional offices in Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Europe & Central Asia
Internships may support activities such as programme planning, monitoring and evaluation, data analysis, research, policy development, reporting, and coordination with internal and external stakeholders.
What You Will Receive
Monthly Stipend Interns receive a monthly stipend not exceeding USD $700 in local currency equivalent providing financial support for the duration of the internship. Medical coverage related to service-incurred incidents is also provided.
Hands-On UN Experience Interns work alongside experts on projects that promote sustainable food systems, environmental protection, and global nutrition security — deepening their understanding of FAO’s global role in eradicating hunger and supporting sustainable livelihoods. This is not a passive learning experience — interns contribute directly to real, active programmes.
Career Springboard Interns gain valuable insights that support future careers in international organizations, public policy, research, and development practice — building professional networks with international experts and gaining exposure to global development challenges and policy processes.
Why This Programme Matters
FAO especially encourages applications from women, persons with disabilities, and nationals from non- and under-represented countries — including Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Low-Income Food-Deficit Countries (LIFDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). For young professionals from the Global South, this is one of the most accessible and prestigious entry points into the UN system.
