The IMF works to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, and promote high employment and sustainable economic growth. Our work on the macroeconomic benefits of challenges such as empowering women, modernizing the global trading system, and wage inequity provides new ideas to safeguard the stability of the international monetary and financial system and addresses the world’s most pressing macroeconomic and financial issues. Our 3,100 dedicated employees are leaders in their fields and collaborate to address the needs of our members and make a meaningful, positive difference in the lives across the globe.
The IMF’s Legal Department is seeking applications for an internship assignment, part of the 2026 Fund Internship Program (FIP). The duration of the internship will be 10-12 weeks and will be undertaken between June and September 2026 (the precise period of the internship will be agreed between the department and the successful candidate).
The selected candidate will work in one of the units of the Legal Department under the supervision and guidance of a senior member of the unit. Projects assigned (which differ from year to year) will be determined at a time closer to the start of the internship to ensure that they are directly aligned with the department’s work program and, to the extent possible, with the interests of the intern. Past internship research projects have covered a broad spectrum of legal issues, as the examples below from the previous year illustrate:
- Analysis of the impact of corruption on sovereign lending and on sovereign debt restructuring.
- Review the regulatory approaches taken by one or more financial centers to insider trading and the use of material non-public information.
- Research on international law issues related to monetary and financial law with relevance to the IMF’s mandate on surveillance and use of IMF resources.
- Research on digital money design options to facilitate analysis on the financial integrity and anti-money laundering, and combating terrorism financing implications generated by different arrangements.
- Analysis of cross-border payments data and identification of outlier financial flows potentially related to money laundering, underlying crime, and terrorism financing.
- Assessment of international and national sanctions programs’ implications for member countries and IMF operations.
- Analysis of domestic legal frameworks in the area of non-bank financial institutions, from the perspective of financial stability and cross-jurisdictional differences.
- Analyzing the implementation and impact of Governance and Corruption Diagnostics recommendations across countries
Location:
United StatesBenefits
- Competitive salary: A paid internship with a competitive stipend.
- Travel: Round-trip airfare from your university to Washington, D.C. is covered.
- Health insurance: Basic medical insurance coverage is provided.
- Mentorship: The opportunity to be mentored by experts in the IMF legal department.
- Visa: The IMF assists participants with the necessary visa process.
- Real-world experience: Gain practical experience in areas related to international finance and public policy.
- Professional growth: Provides a significant boost for your career in a global context.
Eligibilities
To be eligible for the internship, candidates must:
- Be within one or two years of completing their L.L.M., J.D., or equivalent degree in law.
- Be in student status, i.e., must be returning to university after their internship.
- Should not exceed 32 years of age.
- Have an excellent command of English (both written and oral).
- Possess strong quantitative and computer skills.
Application Process
To be considered, applicants must attach the following to their job applications:
- Fully completed application form.
- Responses to all questions.
- CV or Résumé as an attachment.
- University transcript for current program of study; and
- Two academic reference letters.
After submitting your application, you will receive a system-generated acknowledgement. Only candidates who are identified for further consideration will be contacted.
Please note: if you are unable to attach 2 academic reference letters to your application at this time, this will not lead to disqualification. If you are long-listed for further consideration, you will have a short timeframe in which to provide the references at that time.
Application Deadline: November 17, 2025 (8 Days Remaining)
Apply nowOfficial link
