The United Nations does not run one single annual internship deadline — individual UN offices and departments post internship openings on the UN Careers portal year-round, each with its own closing date. Nigerian and Indian applicants are both eligible, as internships are open to nationals of any country, subject to the specific posting’s requirements.
What it covers and how long it lasts
UN internships are unpaid and run full-time for two to six months, depending on the post. They are aimed at final-year undergraduate students and graduate students (some postings also accept those who graduated recently). Because there’s no central deadline, the practical approach is to monitor the UN Careers portal for openings in your field and apply as soon as a relevant one appears — late submissions are not accepted once a posting closes.
Who is eligible?
- Enrolled in the final year of a bachelor’s degree, or currently pursuing a graduate degree (master’s or PhD)
- Strong command of at least one of the UN’s working languages (English or French, depending on the post)
- No prior UN internship on your record for the same duty station in some cases — check the specific posting
How to apply
- Create an Inspira account on the UN Careers portal and search internship postings by department, duty station or field of interest.
- Complete your full profile — education, work experience, languages and a passport/ID upload — before applying, since incomplete profiles slow down submission.
- Answer each posting’s specific screening questions carefully and submit a tailored motivation statement; applications are first screened automatically against the stated criteria.
- If shortlisted, be ready for a written exercise, technical test or competency-based interview, and confirm your availability within five business days if selected.
Status checked 24 September 2026. Because postings rotate constantly, check the UN Careers portal directly for what’s currently open in your field.