IJM Internships and Fellowships 2026: Build a Safer and More Just World Through Global Service Opportunities

International Justice Mission (IJM) offers internship and fellowship opportunities for people who want to use their skills, professional experience, and passion for justice to contribute to the mission of building a safer and more just world. These opportunities provide participants with the chance to gain practical experience, receive mentorship, and serve communities through IJM’s work.

The opportunities are available in both D.C.-based and remote settings as well as through global internships and fellowships, creating different pathways for university students, law graduates, bachelor’s degree holders, and experienced professionals to become involved in IJM’s mission.

About the IJM Internship and Fellowship Opportunities

International Justice Mission is seeking individuals who want to combine their professional abilities with a commitment to justice and community service. The organization encourages applicants to bring their passion, skills, and experiences and use them in service around the world.

The internship and fellowship opportunities are designed around the idea that different professional backgrounds and skill sets can contribute to the organization’s broader mission.

Whether someone is still developing their professional experience as a university student, has completed a Juris Doctor degree, holds a bachelor’s degree, or is an experienced professional, IJM provides several opportunities to explore how their skills can contribute to justice-focused work.

Why Consider an IJM Internship or Fellowship?

An IJM internship or fellowship can provide more than professional experience. The organization highlights both spiritual mentorship and professional mentorship as important parts of the experience.

Participants can expect opportunities to develop personally and professionally while working within an organization focused on justice.

1. Spiritual Mentorship

IJM describes spiritual mentorship as an important part of its internship and fellowship experience.

Participants have the opportunity to grow spiritually within an organization that practices spiritual formation together on a daily basis. This provides an environment in which participants can explore personal growth alongside their professional responsibilities.

2. Professional Mentorship

Professional mentorship is another key component of the program.

Interns and fellows can develop professional skills while receiving career mentorship from individuals who are invested in helping them grow and succeed.

This mentorship can be valuable for participants who want to understand how their academic background, professional skills, and personal interests can be applied in a justice-oriented organization.

D.C.-Based and Remote Internships and Fellowships

One of the main pathways offered by IJM is its D.C.-based and remote internships and fellowships.

These opportunities are particularly relevant for university students and legal professionals who are interested in gaining experience without necessarily undertaking a global deployment.

Duration

The D.C.-based and remote opportunities generally include:

• 2–3 month internships and fellowships for second-year university students and beyond.
• 6–12 month legal fellowship opportunities for individuals who have earned a Juris Doctor degree.

This structure means that applicants can identify opportunities according to their current stage of education and professional development.

Who Can Benefit From These Opportunities?

The short-term internships and fellowships are designed for second-year university students and students beyond their second year.

For applicants pursuing legal careers, IJM also provides a longer legal fellowship pathway for individuals who have completed a Juris Doctor degree.

Applicants should review the individual position descriptions on the IJM careers platform because specific requirements can vary depending on the position.

D.C. and Remote Application Periods

IJM provides different application periods depending on when participants want to serve.

Spring Opportunities

Spring service generally takes place from:

January – April

Applications for spring opportunities open in:

June

Summer Opportunities

Summer service generally takes place from:

May – August

Applications for summer opportunities open in:

October

Fall Opportunities

Fall service generally takes place from:

September – December

Applications for fall opportunities open in:

March

Because applications open several months before the relevant service period, prospective applicants should begin preparing well in advance.

Global Internships and Fellowships

IJM also provides global internships and fellowships for individuals who want to serve internationally.

These opportunities are structured differently from the D.C.-based and remote options and are intended for applicants with a bachelor’s degree and/or significant professional experience.

Duration of Global Opportunities

Global internships and fellowships are generally 12-month opportunities.

They are available for:

• Individuals with a bachelor’s degree
• Seasoned professionals
• Applicants who have relevant skills and experience that can contribute to IJM’s work

These opportunities can provide an opportunity to work in an international setting while contributing professional expertise to IJM’s mission.

Global Deployment Schedule

Global deployments occur annually, with deployments scheduled for:

• January
• June

Because these are international opportunities, applicants should plan well in advance.

IJM states that applications generally open 11–12 months before the deployment date.

This means prospective applicants should not wait until shortly before the intended deployment period to begin looking for opportunities.

For example, someone interested in a January deployment should begin monitoring available positions approximately 11–12 months beforehand, while someone interested in a June deployment should similarly begin preparing well in advance.

What Skills Can You Bring to IJM?

IJM emphasizes that applicants should bring their passion, skills, and experiences to the organization.

The opportunity is therefore not limited to one particular academic discipline or professional background in the information provided.

Instead, IJM highlights the importance of different skill sets in contributing to its mission.

Applicants should review the current vacancies carefully and identify positions that match their:

• Educational background
• Professional experience
• Technical skills
• Career interests
• Personal strengths
• Commitment to justice and service

The exact qualifications will depend on the specific internship or fellowship position.

How to Apply for an IJM Internship or Fellowship

Applicants interested in these opportunities should begin by reviewing IJM’s current available positions.

The organization specifically instructs prospective applicants to click “Apply Now” to view current positions.

Application Portal:

Apply Now – IJM Careers

Because positions and requirements may change, applicants should review the individual vacancy carefully before submitting an application.

Application Timeline at a Glance

Important Deadlines and Application Dates

There is no single universal application deadline stated for all IJM internships and fellowships. Instead, application timing depends on the specific opportunity and service period.

For D.C.-based and remote opportunities:

• Spring (January–April): Applications open in June
• Summer (May–August): Applications open in October
• Fall (September–December): Applications open in March

For global opportunities:

• Deployments take place in January and June each year.
• Applications generally open 11–12 months before the deployment date.

Applicants should therefore check the current IJM careers page for the exact opening and closing dates associated with the position they are interested in.

How to Prepare for an IJM Application

Since IJM offers different internships and fellowships, preparation should be tailored to the specific position.

1. Identify the Right Opportunity

Start by reviewing the current positions available through IJM’s careers platform.

Look for opportunities that correspond to your education, professional experience, skills, and career objectives.

2. Review the Position Requirements

Do not assume that all IJM internships and fellowships have identical eligibility requirements.

Carefully read the description of the specific position to determine:

• Required educational qualifications
• Required professional experience
• Specific skills
• Location
• Duration
• Service period
• Any position-specific requirements

3. Prepare to Explain Your Motivation

IJM’s opportunities are connected to its broader mission of building a safer and more just world.

Applicants should be prepared to clearly communicate why they are interested in justice-focused work and how their skills and experiences could contribute to the organization.

4. Highlight Relevant Skills and Experience

Your application should clearly demonstrate the strengths you would bring to the organization.

Depending on the position, relevant experience could include academic projects, professional work, legal experience, research, communications, administration, technology, advocacy, or other skills required by the specific role.

5. Apply Early

For global fellowships and internships in particular, early preparation is important because applications open 11–12 months before deployment.

Planning ahead gives applicants more time to identify an appropriate position and prepare a strong application.

APPLY here

An Opportunity to Combine Professional Growth With Service

What distinguishes these opportunities is the combination of career development, mentorship, and service.

Rather than viewing an internship or fellowship simply as a temporary professional placement, IJM presents these opportunities as a way for participants to contribute their abilities toward a broader mission.

The combination of spiritual and professional mentorship can also give participants an opportunity to develop in multiple areas during their time with the organization.

For university students, the experience can help connect academic learning with practical work. For legal professionals, the legal fellowship provides a longer-term opportunity to apply legal training. For bachelor’s degree holders and experienced professionals, global opportunities provide a pathway to contribute skills in an international context.

Learn more HERE

Conclusion

The International Justice Mission (IJM) Internship and Fellowship Opportunities provide multiple pathways for students, legal professionals, graduates, and experienced professionals who want to combine professional development with meaningful service.

With D.C.-based and remote internships and fellowships, legal fellowship opportunities, and 12-month global internships and fellowships, applicants can explore opportunities that correspond to different stages of their education and careers.

Participants can benefit from both spiritual mentorship and professional mentorship, while gaining experience within an organization committed to building a safer and more just world.

There is no single deadline for all positions. D.C.-based and remote opportunities follow seasonal application periods, while global opportunities generally open applications 11–12 months before January or June deployments. Prospective applicants should therefore monitor the IJM careers portal and apply for positions that match their qualifications and interests.

Explore Current IJM Internship and Fellowship Positions

for more opportunities HERE