FAO Internship Programme 2026: Eligibility, Benefits, Requirements and How to Apply

FAO Internship Programme 2026 offers students and recent graduates an opportunity to gain international work experience with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. The programme provides practical learning opportunities, professional development and exposure to global food, agriculture, sustainability and development initiatives while allowing young professionals to contribute fresh ideas and research skills.

The FAO Internship Programme 2026 is a global learning opportunity offered by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) for talented students and recent graduates interested in gaining professional experience in international development.

The internship programme is designed to attract young women and men who are motivated to contribute innovative ideas, research experience and new perspectives to FAO’s areas of work.

Through the programme, selected interns have the opportunity to apply their academic knowledge in a professional environment while gaining a deeper understanding of FAO’s mandate, programmes and contributions toward global food security and sustainable development.

FAO works across areas including:

Food and agriculture.
Sustainable development.
Rural development.
Climate resilience.
Nutrition.
Natural resource management.
Food systems transformation.

The internship programme connects young professionals with FAO teams where they can support ongoing projects and initiatives related to the organisation’s Strategic Framework and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The opportunity is suitable for:

Undergraduate students.
Graduate students.
Recent university graduates.
Young professionals interested in international development careers.

The FAO Internship Programme provides valuable exposure to the work of a United Nations organisation while helping participants strengthen their technical, research and professional skills.

Tasks

FAO interns contribute to different projects depending on their academic background, skills and the needs of the organisation.

Internship responsibilities may include:

Supporting research activities.
Assisting with data collection and analysis.
Preparing reports, documents and presentations.
Conducting literature reviews.
Supporting technical teams.
Assisting with project coordination.
Contributing research insights and innovative ideas.
Supporting communication and knowledge-sharing activities.

Interns may work across different FAO departments and technical areas, gaining experience in how international organisations design and implement development programmes.

The internship experience allows participants to:

Apply university knowledge to real-world challenges.
Develop professional workplace skills.
Understand international development operations.
Build experience working in multicultural environments.

Depending on the assignment, interns may support projects connected to agriculture, economics, environmental sustainability, food systems, policy research, communications or other FAO priority areas.

Qualifications

Education and Certification

Applicants for the FAO Internship Programme 2026 must meet specific education requirements.

Eligible candidates must:

Be currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree programme at a recognised educational institution; or
Be recent graduates.

Applicants should have an academic background relevant to FAO’s areas of work.

Relevant fields may include:

Agriculture.
Food science.
Environmental studies.
Economics.
International development.
Social sciences.
Natural resources management.
Communication.
Public policy.
Related disciplines.

Candidates must also meet FAO language requirements.

Applicants should have working knowledge of at least one FAO official language:

English.
French.
Spanish.
Arabic.
Chinese.
Russian.

Knowledge of an additional FAO official language is considered an advantage.

Candidates should also demonstrate:

Good communication skills.
Ability to work in an international environment.
Basic computer skills.
Adaptability and willingness to learn.

Experience

The FAO Internship Programme is designed for students and recent graduates, meaning extensive professional experience is not required.

Applicants can strengthen their applications through:

Academic research projects.
Volunteer experience.
University assignments.
Previous internships.
Community development activities.
Research or analytical work.

Successful candidates should demonstrate interest in FAO’s mission and show how their academic background connects with the organisation’s work.

Applicants should be motivated to contribute new ideas while developing their own professional skills.

Candidates must also meet the age requirement of being between 21 and 30 years old at the start of the internship assignment.

Additional Information

The FAO Internship Programme 2026 provides young professionals with an opportunity to gain practical experience within one of the United Nations specialised agencies.

Internship assignments normally last between 3 and 11 months, depending on the requirements of the assignment.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

Be nationals of FAO Member countries.
Be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate programme, or be recent graduates.
Meet language requirements.
Be between 21 and 30 years old at the start of the internship.
Have suitable residence or immigration status in the country of assignment.
Be able to adapt to a multicultural working environment.

Applicants who have immediate family members employed by FAO under any type of contract are not eligible for the programme.

Application Process

Interested candidates must apply through the FAO career portal by responding to the Call for Expression of Interest for internship opportunities.

Applicants are required to submit:

An online application.
A motivation letter.
Proof of attendance at a recognised university or evidence of graduation.

The application process involves:

Finding the relevant internship call on the FAO careers portal.
Completing the online application form.
Uploading required documents.
Submitting the application before the deadline.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Candidates who are not selected but want to remain eligible for future opportunities must submit applications for new internship calls when they become available.

Why Apply for the FAO Internship Programme?

The FAO Internship Programme 2026 provides valuable benefits for students and graduates seeking international career experience.

Participants can gain:

United Nations work experience.
Professional networking opportunities.
Exposure to global development projects.
Research and analytical skills.
Understanding of international policy processes.
Career development opportunities.

For students and graduates interested in agriculture, sustainability, food security and international development, the FAO Internship Programme offers a pathway to build professional experience while contributing to global challenges.

The programme represents an opportunity for young professionals to learn from experts, develop workplace skills and participate in initiatives supporting a more sustainable and food-secure future.

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