Summary
The World Health Organization (WHO) is offering a fully funded Health Emergencies Internship for international students and recent graduates in Geneva, Switzerland. This prestigious 24-week program provides a unique opportunity to gain hands-on professional experience in global public health, pandemic preparedness, and medical countermeasure planning within a United Nations agency.
- 🌍 WHO Internship 2026 Overview: The World Health Organization (WHO) invites undergraduate students, graduate students, and recent graduates worldwide to apply for the Health Emergencies Internship 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland.
- 🏥 Internship Details: The internship will run for 24 weeks (5 October 2026 – 19 March 2027) at WHO Headquarters, Geneva. It is a fully funded opportunity open to applicants of all nationalities.
- 💰 Financial Benefits: Selected interns will receive:
- Monthly living allowance of CHF 1,680
- Daily lunch vouchers
- Medical insurance coverage
- Accident insurance coverage
- Professional experience at WHO Headquarters
- 🔬 Research & Work Areas: Interns will work with the WHO Medical Countermeasures Unit on global health emergency projects, including vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics, and pandemic preparedness.
- 📋 Key Responsibilities: Interns will assist with:
- Literature reviews on medical countermeasures
- Scientific data collection and analysis
- Technical reports and policy briefs
- Workshop and meeting support
- Background document preparation
- Epidemic and pandemic preparedness projects
- 🎓 Learning Opportunities: Participants will gain skills in:
- Global health operations
- Medical countermeasure planning
- Pandemic response strategies
- Scientific research methods
- Data analysis and reporting
- Technical writing and policy development
- International health collaboration
- ⭐ Why Apply: The WHO Internship provides international exposure, networking opportunities with global health experts, research experience, improved scientific communication skills, and valuable career development at a United Nations agency.
- 📄 Required Documents:
- Updated CV/Resume
- Motivation letter/Cover letter
- Proof of enrollment or graduation certificate
- Academic transcripts (if required)
- Reference details (if requested)
Overview Details
| Field | Information |
| Offered By | World Health Organization (WHO) |
| Designation | Health Emergencies Intern |
| Location | Geneva, Switzerland |
| Duration | 24 Weeks (5 October 2026 – 19 March 2027) |
| Financial Coverage | Fully Funded (Stipend + Allowances) |
| Eligible Nationalities | All Nationalities (Open Worldwide) |
| Application Deadline | July 31, 2026 |
Financial Benefits
To help interns focus completely on their professional development, WHO provides a robust financial support package:
- Monthly Allowance: CHF 1,680 living stipend.
- Daily Incentives: Lunch vouchers provided for every working day.
- Insurance: Comprehensive medical and accidental insurance coverage.
- Career Value: Direct international work experience at the WHO Headquarters.
Research Areas & Focus
Interns will work under the WHO Medical Countermeasures Unit, focusing broadly on:
- Global Health Emergencies & Response
- Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness Strategies
- Vaccines, Therapeutics, and Diagnostic Technologies
Job Description (Key Responsibilities)
Selected candidates will actively contribute to global health emergency initiatives by:
- Conducting comprehensive literature reviews on medical countermeasures.
- Researching, collecting, and analyzing scientific data.
- Preparing technical reports, background documents, and policy briefs.
- Supporting the coordination of international workshops and strategic meetings.
Eligibility & Qualifications
Applicants must fulfill the following criteria to be considered for the program:
- Academic Standing: Must have completed at least three years of full-time undergraduate study before the internship starts.
- Enrollment Status: Must be currently enrolled in a university degree program or have graduated within the last 18 months.
- Eligible Disciplines: Medicine, Public Health, Biology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Virology, Medical Sciences, Bioinformatics, Statistics, or Information Sciences.
- Language Skills: Strong proficiency in English is required. Knowledge of French or another official United Nations language is an asset.
- Technical Skills: Excellent research, data analysis, and communication skills, alongside proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted electronically through the official channels:
- Navigate to the official WHO Careers Portal.
- Create a new candidate profile or update your existing profile.
- Search for the Health Emergencies Internship 2026.
- Complete the online application form and upload your updated CV/Resume, a strong Motivation/Cover Letter, and your academic transcripts or proof of graduation.
- Review all details carefully and submit before the closing date.
Last Date to Apply
The final deadline to submit the online application is July 31, 2026.
