The Organization of American States (OAS) is offering its Internship Program for the January–April 2027 cycle, giving students and early-career professionals the chance to gain practical experience within a major international organization. Internships are hosted at OAS Headquarters in Washington, D.C., with a virtual option also available. The program is particularly suitable for undergraduate students who have completed at least two years of study, graduate students, and entry-level professionals interested in democracy, human rights, security, and development across the Americas. Applications for the 2027 cycle are currently open, with the deadline set for September 11, 2026.
Scholarship / Internship Overview
- Host country: United States / Virtual
- Study level / opportunity type: Undergraduate, Graduate, Internship
- Funding classification: Unconfirmed
- Host organization: Organization of American States (OAS)
- Internship period: January – April 2027
- Location: OAS Headquarters, Washington, D.C. or virtually
- Application deadline: September 11, 2026
- Current status: Open
- Target applicants: Undergraduate students who have completed their second year, graduate students, and entry-level professionals
Benefits
Tuition Fees: Not provided
Monthly Stipend / Living Allowance: Not provided. The internship is unpaid.
Travel / Airfare: Not provided
Health Insurance: Not provided. Interns are responsible for their own health insurance.
Accommodation: Not provided
Visa: Visa sponsorship may be available for eligible interns, subject to OAS requirements.
Books / Research Allowance: Not provided
Settling-in Allowance: Not provided
Additional Benefits: Professional experience in an international organization, networking opportunities, mentoring, career-development activities, and a certificate of completion.
Eligibility Criteria
Nationality: Open to applicants of all nationalities. Applicants do not need to be citizens of an OAS member state.
Academic Qualifications: Undergraduate students must have completed at least two years of study. Graduate students and entry-level professionals are also eligible.
Academic Performance: Applicants must have a cumulative academic average equivalent to 75% or higher.
Age Limit: No specific age limit. The program is aimed at undergraduate and graduate students and young professionals.
Work Experience: No specific prior work experience requirement is stated. Entry-level professionals may apply.
Language Requirements: Applicants must be proficient in at least two of the OAS’s four official languages: English, Spanish, French, or Portuguese.
Admission Requirement: Applicants must submit an academic transcript, CV, and cover letter. An official university statement is recommended if the internship will be accredited by the institution.
Nomination Route: No nomination is required. Applicants apply directly through the OAS electronic application form.
Previous OAS Internship: Applicants who have already completed an OAS Internship Program internship cannot participate again.
Application deadline: September 11, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST (Washington, D.C. time).
Available Fields / Programmes
The current OAS call does not publish a fixed programme list. The official OAS page states that approximately 30 areas or departments recruit interns each session, with opportunities depending on institutional needs. Applicants select their areas of interest through the electronic application form.
Confirmed areas include:
Human Rights
Sustainable Development
Multidimensional Security
Democracy
International Law
International Cooperation and Fundraising
Journalism
Graphic Design
Web Design
Computer Information Technology
Translation
Finance and Administration
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) specifically confirms opportunities for law, international cooperation and fundraising, journalism, graphic design, computer information technology, translation, and related fields.
Note: The exact positions and departments available for the September 2026 application cycle are shown within the OAS electronic application form and may vary according to organizational needs.
How to Apply
The OAS Internship Program requires applicants to apply directly through the OAS online Electronic Application Form. No embassy, nominating agency, or host university nomination is required.
Check the eligibility requirements and ensure you meet the academic, GPA, and language requirements.
Prepare the required documents, including your academic transcripts and a CV with a cover letter combined into one PDF.
Complete the OAS Electronic Application Form during the official application period.
Select your preferred internship areas/offices and indicate your interest in the relevant OAS department or programme.
Upload all supporting documents through the electronic application form. Do not send documents by email.
Submit the application before the deadline: September 11, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST (Washington, D.C. time).
After applications close, the OAS conducts an initial screening. Shortlisted candidates may be invited for an interview by the relevant recruiting area.
Successful applicants receive an official OAS Internship Program acceptance letter.
Application route: Direct application to the Organization of American States (OAS) through its online application system.
Required Documents
According to the official OAS Internship Program information, applicants should provide:
CV / Résumé
Cover Letter
Official or unofficial academic transcript, or another academic record showing the cumulative GPA or overall academic average
Additional supporting documents, if specifically requested by the recruiting area during the selection process
The OAS accepts supporting documents in English, Spanish, French, or Portuguese. A language certificate such as TOEFL is not required to prove the second language at the application stage.
Note: A degree certificate, recommendation letters, research proposal, and passport copy are not listed as standard required documents on the current OAS Internship Program requirements, so they should not be presented as mandatory.
Important Dates
Application Opening Date: August 24, 2026
Application Deadline: September 11, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST (Washington, D.C. time)
Nomination Deadline: Not applicable. Applicants apply directly to the OAS.
Interview Period: Not officially specified. Shortlisted applicants may be contacted for interviews during the selection process.
Results / Selection Date: Not officially specified by the OAS.
The current call is for 2027 Session I (National Offices), with applications open from August 24 to September 11, 2026.
No. The OAS Internship Program 2027 is not fully funded or tuition-only. It is an unpaid internship, and participants must cover their own travel, accommodation, living expenses, and health insurance.
The OAS Internship Program 2027 is open to applicants of all nationalities. You do not need to be a citizen of an OAS member state. Eligible applicants include:
- Undergraduate students who have completed at least their second year of study.
- Graduate-level students.
- Entry-level/young professionals.
Applicants must also meet the OAS academic and language requirements, including a minimum academic performance equivalent to 75% and proficiency in at least two of the four official OAS languages: English, Spanish, French, or Portuguese.
No. University admission is not required before applying. Eligible students can apply directly to the OAS Internship Program through the official online application.
The application deadline is September 11, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST (Washington, D.C. time).
No. There is no application fee for the OAS Internship Program 2027. Applicants can submit their applications through the official OAS electronic application system without paying a fee. The OAS confirms that applications are submitted online during the official application period.
