The International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), a member of the World Bank Group, has officially opened applications for its prestigious 2026 Internship Program in Washington, D.C. This highly competitive international internship offers graduate students and law students a rare opportunity to gain direct exposure to global investment arbitration, international dispute settlement, and international investment law.
ICSID is globally recognized as the leading institution dedicated to resolving international investment disputes between investors and States. Through this internship, selected participants will work alongside experienced legal professionals and contribute to real international arbitration cases and institutional projects.
For students interested in international law, arbitration, dispute resolution, public international law, or global policy, the ICSID Internship Program is one of the most valuable career development opportunities available.
About the ICSID Internship Program
The ICSID Internship Program is designed for highly motivated graduate students who want practical experience in international investment dispute settlement.
Interns will work directly with ICSID Counsel and professional staff on legal research, case administration, institutional initiatives, and arbitration-related tasks.
The internship aims to:
- Provide practical exposure to international arbitration
- Strengthen academic and professional development
- Help students understand investor-State dispute settlement systems
- Offer opportunities to contribute innovative legal research and ideas
- Build future talent in the field of international investment law
The internship takes place at the ICSID headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Internship Duration
ICSID offers internships in three cycles each year:
- September – December
- January – April
- May – August
Important details include:
- Minimum duration: 12 weeks
- Minimum workload: 10 hours per week
- Up to six interns selected every four months
Internship Location
Selected interns will work at the ICSID offices in:
- Washington, D.C., USA
Unless restrictions apply, internships are conducted in person.
What Interns Will Do
Interns are assigned either to:
- A case management team
- The institutional team
Case Administration Responsibilities
Interns assisting with arbitration cases may:
- Draft working papers
- Conduct legal and policy research
- Assist with drafting case correspondence
- Support hearing preparation and logistics
- Attend hearings with authorization from parties and tribunals
Institutional Research Responsibilities
Interns may also support:
- Institutional policy research
- Projects led by the ICSID Secretary-General
- Research on arbitration and investment law developments
- Administrative and legal initiatives
This hands-on experience allows participants to understand how international dispute resolution works in practice.
Benefits of the ICSID Internship
Although the internship is unpaid, it offers exceptional academic and career value.
Participants receive:
- Direct exposure to international arbitration proceedings
- Experience working with world-class legal experts
- Professional networking opportunities
- Practical legal drafting and research experience
- Academic credit upon successful completion
- Career advancement opportunities in international law and arbitration
The program is especially beneficial for students considering careers in:
- International arbitration
- International investment law
- Public international law
- Global governance
- International organizations
- Legal policy research
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the ICSID Internship Program, applicants must:
- Be enrolled in a graduate degree program
- Be eligible to receive academic credit or university sponsorship/stipend
- Meet university internship requirements
- Be able to work in Washington, D.C.
- Have or obtain an F1 or G4 visa, or hold U.S. citizenship/permanent residency
Applicants are also expected to cover:
- Travel expenses
- Accommodation
- Living expenses
- Medical insurance during the internship period
Required Qualifications
ICSID seeks candidates with:
- Demonstrated interest in investor-State dispute settlement
- Knowledge of international investment law
- Strong legal research abilities
- Excellent writing and legal drafting skills
- Ability to work in a collaborative team environment
Preferred candidates include:
- Rising 3L students
- LLM students
- PhD students
Language requirements:
- Fluency in English is mandatory
- French and/or Spanish proficiency is highly desirable
Diversity and Inclusion
ICSID promotes diversity and inclusion across:
- Nationality
- Gender
- Educational background
- Culture
Students with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Application Process
Applicants must:
- Complete the official internship application form
- Attach an updated CV/resume
- Submit applications via email to:
Only complete applications will be reviewed.
2026 ICSID Internship Deadlines
Application deadlines depend on the internship cycle:
Fall Internship (September – December)
- Deadline: June 30
Spring Internship (January – April)
- Deadline: October 31
Summer Internship (May – August)
- Deadline: February 15
Applicants are encouraged to apply early.
Why You Should Apply
The ICSID Internship Program is an exceptional opportunity for students seeking practical international legal experience inside one of the world’s most respected dispute resolution institutions.
Interns gain:
- Real-world legal exposure
- International professional experience
- Specialized arbitration knowledge
- Access to influential legal networks
- Valuable credentials for future careers
For aspiring international lawyers, policy professionals, and arbitration specialists, this internship can become a major stepping stone toward global legal careers.
For additional information regarding the internship programme, click here
For more internship opportunities on OFY, click here
