Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Group Internship Program 2026: Paid Internships for Students and Recent Graduates in Washington, D.C. & Worldwide

Are you a student or recent graduate looking to build a career in international development? The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Group Internship Program offers paid internship opportunities for students to gain hands-on professional experience, develop valuable skills and work alongside international teams on projects that make a difference.

The IDB Group offers internship opportunities with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), IDB Invest and IDB Lab. Positions are available at the IDB Headquarters in Washington, D.C., as well as in Country Offices across Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia and Europe.

These internships provide students with an opportunity to gain exposure to the IDB Group’s culture, teams, projects and work in the countries and regions it serves.

IDB Internship Program: Key Details

The IDB Group’s paid internships are designed for students and recent graduates interested in gaining practical experience and exploring careers in international development.

Key highlights

• Paid internship opportunities
• Opportunities with IDB, IDB Invest and IDB Lab
• Internship opportunities in Washington, D.C.
• Opportunities through IDB Country Offices
• Hands-on experience with international development projects
• Opportunities to work with public and private sector clients
• International and multicultural working environment
• Opportunities across Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia and Europe

IDB Internship Locations

The IDB Group offers internships at its Headquarters in Washington, D.C. and through its Country Offices.

Washington, D.C. – IDB Headquarters

The IDB Headquarters Internship Program in Washington, D.C. provides students with two months of hands-on experience working with teams that provide operating and corporate solutions to clients from the public and private sectors.

The program is offered twice a year:

• Winter Internship: January 16 to March 15
• Summer Internship: June 16 to August 15

Internship dates may be adjusted slightly to accommodate holidays.

Applications typically open approximately three to four months in advance, so prospective applicants are encouraged to prepare their application documents early and regularly check the available positions.

How Many IDB Internship Positions Can You Apply For?

Candidates may apply for a maximum of three internship positions.

Applicants should therefore carefully review the available opportunities and select positions that best match their academic background, skills, experience and career interests.

👉 Explore IDB Internship Opportunities:
https://jobs.iadb.org/go/Students/9638100/

Country Office Internships

The IDB Group also offers internship opportunities through its Country Offices, providing students with an opportunity to develop their careers in international development while contributing to projects that aim to improve the quality of life in their countries.

The IDB has 26 offices across Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as offices in Asia and Europe.

Country Office internships do not follow a fixed annual cohort. Internship dates depend on the business needs of individual offices, with opportunities generally lasting between 2 and 6 months.

To qualify for a Country Office internship, applicants must generally be a citizen or legal resident of the country where the office is located.

Because opportunities are posted according to organisational needs, candidates should regularly review the IDB’s current vacancies.

👉 Explore IDB Country Offices:
https://www.iadb.org/en/who-we-are/country-offices

IDB Internship Eligibility Requirements

To be considered for an IDB internship, applicants must meet the programme’s basic eligibility requirements.

Citizenship – Washington, D.C. Internships

Applicants for internships in Washington, D.C. must be citizens of one of the IDB Group’s 48 member countries.

Positions at IDB Invest do not have citizenship restrictions.

Citizenship – Country Office Internships

Applicants for internships in IDB Country Offices must generally be citizens or legal residents of the country where the office they are applying to is located.

Availability

Interns must be able to work full-time, 40 hours per week, during the predefined internship period.

Active Student

Applicants must be current students who are:

• Undergraduate students who have completed at least their second year of study; or
• Graduate students who have completed at least 50% of their coursework.

Consanguinity

Applicants must not have relatives working at the IDB, IDB Invest or IDB Lab.

First Job at the IDB Group

The internship must be the applicant’s first job with the IDB, IDB Invest or IDB Lab.

Documents Required for an IDB Internship Application

Applicants should prepare the following documents before submitting an application:

1. Resume or CV

A current resume/CV highlighting your education, relevant experience, skills, achievements and other qualifications.

2. University Letter

A university letter confirming:

• Your current enrolment status
• Your expected graduation date

The letter must have been issued within the last three months.

3. Academic Transcripts

Applicants must provide official or unofficial academic transcripts issued within the last three months.

The transcript must include the courses taken and grades received.

If you submit an unofficial transcript during the application process, you may be required to provide an official transcript if you advance further in the recruitment process.

What Is It Like to Be an IDB Intern?

An internship with the IDB Group provides students with practical exposure to international development and the opportunity to work alongside experienced professionals.

Interns can gain insights into the challenges and opportunities involved in development work while building professional networks and developing skills that can support their future careers.

The IDB also provides resources featuring current and former interns sharing their experiences, challenges, lessons learned and advice for prospective applicants.

Careers and Areas of Interest

The IDB Internship Program can be particularly relevant for students interested in careers related to:

• International development
• Economics
• Finance
• Public policy
• International relations
• Sustainable development
• Social development
• Infrastructure
• Climate and environmental issues
• Business and investment
• Communications
• Research and analysis
• Latin American and Caribbean development

An IDB internship can provide valuable professional experience for students considering future careers with international organisations, development institutions, governments, NGOs, financial institutions and other organisations working on global development issues.

How to Prepare Your IDB Internship Application

A strong application should clearly demonstrate how your education, skills, experience and interests relate to the position.

Before applying, make sure your CV is up to date, your university letter meets the programme requirements and your academic transcript is recent.

The IDB also provides guidance and resources to help applicants understand the recruitment process and prepare their applications.

Candidates should carefully review each internship vacancy before applying and ensure that they meet all eligibility requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions About IDB Internships

Is the IDB Internship Program paid?

Yes. The IDB Group describes its internship opportunities as paid internships.

Who can apply for an IDB internship?

The programme is primarily aimed at current undergraduate and graduate students who meet the eligibility requirements. Undergraduate applicants must have completed at least their second year, while graduate students must have completed at least 50% of their coursework.

Where are IDB internships located?

IDB internships are available at the IDB Headquarters in Washington, D.C. and through Country Offices across Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia and Europe.

How long is the Washington, D.C. internship?

The Headquarters internship provides two months of hands-on experience.

The programme currently has two internship periods:

• Winter: January 16–March 15
• Summer: June 16–August 15

How long are Country Office internships?

Country Office internships generally last between 2 and 6 months, depending on the business needs of the relevant office.

How many internship positions can I apply for?

Candidates may apply for a maximum of three internship positions.

What documents are required?

Applicants generally need a CV/resume, recent university letter and recent academic transcript.

Can I apply for an IDB internship if I am not a citizen of an IDB member country?

For Washington, D.C. internships, applicants generally need to be citizens of one of the IDB Group’s 48 member countries. However, IDB Invest positions do not have citizenship restrictions.

For Country Office internships, applicants generally need to be citizens or legal residents of the country where the office is located.

How to Apply for the IDB Internship Program

Students interested in an IDB internship should review the official internship requirements and current vacancies before submitting an application.

1. Explore available positions via our system or through Laboratoria Alumni job postings (for Young Women in Tech).

2. Create a user account and upload your documents (CV, transcripts, and certifications).

3. Apply to positions that align with your skills and interests.

4. Pre-selected candidates will be contacted for interviews.

👉 APPLY / EXPLORE IDB INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES:
https://jobs.iadb.org/go/Students/9638100/

Start Your International Development Career

The IDB Group Internship Program offers students an opportunity to gain practical experience, develop professional skills and work with international teams on projects addressing important development challenges.

If you are interested in paid international development internships and meet the eligibility requirements, review the current vacancies and prepare your application carefully.

Applications are competitive, so make sure your CV, university letter and academic transcript are ready before applying.

Additional Resources

• Check out our FAQs for quick answers and helpful information!

• Application Tips: Learn how to prepare strong documents.

• Resume Guide: Insights from our recruiters on creating a standout CV.

• Internship Myth-Busting: Video resources to clear up misconceptions about working with the IDB.

Explore Career Opportunities Beyond Internships

Internships are just one way to join our team. The IDB also offers full-time positions and professional development programs to help you grow your career in international development.

Take your first big step with us and apply today to become part of a team that shapes the future of Latin America and the Caribbean.