UNDP Digital, AI and Innovation Internship 2026: Paid Remote Internship for Students and Recent Graduates Worldwide
Introduction
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Digital, AI and Innovation Internship 2026 is now accepting applications for a three-month, full-time, home-based internship for students and recent graduates interested in digital transformation, artificial intelligence, innovation, data, research and sustainable development.
The internship is hosted by UNDP’s Digital, AI and Innovation (DAI) Hub under the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS). The opportunity is global and allows successful interns to contribute to projects supporting digital transformation, inclusive digitalisation, data and AI, innovation, capacity development and digital product development.
The internship is paid, with UNDP interns eligible for a monthly stipend, although the amount varies according to the duty location and remote/part-time arrangements are prorated.
Benefits
Successful interns will have the opportunity to:
- Receive a monthly stipend in accordance with UNDP’s Internship Policy.
- Gain practical experience with the United Nations Development Programme.
- Work remotely from a home-based location.
- Gain hands-on experience in digital transformation, AI, data and innovation.
- Work with international and multicultural teams.
- Contribute to projects connected to sustainable development.
- Develop research, analytical and policy skills.
- Gain experience in digital policy, data governance and responsible technology.
- Develop knowledge products, reports, policy briefs and communication materials.
- Gain experience with digital products, platforms, web applications and AI tools.
- Develop project management and operational skills.
- Build professional experience in an international development organisation.
The internship is for three months, is full-time and has a flexible, needs-based start date. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and successful candidates may hear back at different points during 2026 depending on organisational needs.
Eligibility
Applicants must meet one of the following educational requirements:
- Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); or
- Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme at the undergraduate/bachelor’s level or equivalent; or
- Have graduated with a university degree and, if selected, be able to commence the internship within one year of graduation.
Interest or experience in at least one of the internship’s workstream areas is desirable.
Applicants must also have fluency in English.
UNDP encourages applications from people from underserved, marginalised or excluded populations as part of its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
Areas of Work
Selected interns may support one or more of the following areas:
Systems Transformation & Innovation
- Research and draft analytical content on systems transformation, innovation and emerging policy approaches.
- Conduct horizon scanning and synthesise global and regional trends relevant to policy innovation and system change.
- Contribute to the design, documentation and refinement of innovative policy and programme approaches.
- Design, test and document innovative approaches aimed at system-level change.
- Collect, curate and disseminate knowledge products and thought leadership on innovation and systems transformation.
Programme Delivery & Capacity Building
- Support digital, data and AI initiatives with UNDP Country Offices.
- Develop capacity-building materials for governments and partners.
- Coordinate activities related to national digital, data and AI strategies.
- Draft toolkits, guidance notes and implementation resources.
- Organise and deliver webinars, training sessions and learning activities.
Data Policy & Governance
- Research data governance frameworks, data protection and responsible data use.
- Contribute to national data strategies and data governance frameworks.
- Draft policy briefs, background notes and analytical summaries.
- Track global and multilateral processes related to data and digital governance.
- Support UNDP positioning and advocacy on data policy and digital rights.
Data Analytics & Insights
- Collect, clean and analyse quantitative and qualitative datasets.
- Develop dashboards, trackers and data visualisations.
- Analyse Digital Strategy implementation using data-driven approaches.
- Support monitoring, evaluation and reporting.
- Translate data findings into concise and actionable insights.
Partnerships & Strategic Communications
Interns may research potential partners such as technology companies, foundations, non-profits and alliances, identify collaboration opportunities, and support communications and thought leadership around digital, AI and innovation.
Process Efficiency & Resource Management
- Track project workplans, milestones and deliverables.
- Support HR, procurement and resource planning.
- Develop SOPs, internal guidance, trackers and dashboards.
- Support operational planning, monitoring and reporting.
- Identify inefficiencies and propose process improvements.
Product Design, Build & Management
- Participate in designing apps, platforms, web applications and AI tools.
- Help define product requirements and success criteria.
- Support scoping and proposal writing for digital products.
- Work with software developers, product managers and client teams.
- Assist with product development, testing and improvement.
- Support digital-product implementation in countries.
- Assist with contract development and invoicing related to product development.
Research & Knowledge Management
- Maintain UNDP knowledge platforms, including SparkBlue and SharePoint.
- Conduct desk research on digital, data and AI topics.
- Prepare knowledge summaries, background notes and briefing materials.
- Support newsletters and content curation.
- Maintain digital and data-related knowledge products and repositories.
- Manage content for digital guides, internal platforms and knowledge databases.
- Coordinate dissemination of research and thought leadership.
Deadline
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis is 30 September 2026.
The official vacancy lists 1 October 2026 as the system’s apply-before date, so applicants should submit their applications by 30 September 2026 rather than waiting until the final day.
The internship has a flexible and needs-based start date. Successful applicants may be contacted at different times between April and the end of 2026.
How to Apply
The application requires two steps, and applicants must complete both.
Step 1: Apply through the UNDP Vacancy Portal
Applicants should submit their application through the official UNDP recruitment system for Job ID 33001 – Digital, AI and Innovation Internship: Global Call for 2026.
Step 2: Complete the Airtable Form
After or alongside the UNDP application, applicants must also complete the required Airtable form provided in the vacancy announcement.
The application must contain:
- A brief Cover Letter in English.
- A current and complete CV in English.
- The completed Airtable application form.
- The information requested through the UNDP vacancy application.
Applicants should make sure they complete both the UNDP vacancy application and the Airtable form. Submitting only one of the two steps will not complete the application process.
Internship Conditions
Under UNDP’s Internship Policy:
- Interns are eligible for a monthly stipend, with the amount depending on the duty location.
- The stipend is paid monthly.
- Remote or part-time arrangements are prorated.
- If an intern receives financial support from an institution, government or third party, UNDP may pay the difference between that external support and the applicable UNDP stipend, subject to the relevant rules.
- Apart from the stipend, other internship-related expenses are the responsibility of the intern, sponsoring government or institution.
- UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents, illness or death during the internship.
- Interns must provide proof of enrolment in a health insurance plan.
- Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in an official capacity.
- Due to the high volume of applications, only successful candidates will be contacted.
UNDP also states that selected candidates will undergo relevant reference and background checks and must comply with its standards concerning sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment and discrimination.
For enquiries about the internship, applicants can contact talent.dai.hub@undp.org.
Scholarships Expiring Soon
Conclusion
This UNDP internship is a strong opportunity for students and recent graduates to gain paid, remote international experience in AI, digital transformation, data and innovation.
Application Link
Official UNDP Vacancy – Job ID 33001:
Required Airtable Application Form:
Application deadline: 30 September 2026
Location: Home-based/Remote
Duration: 3 months
Schedule: Full-time
Language: English
Stipend: Monthly stipend under UNDP’s Internship Policy.
