WHO Internship 2026 in Philippines: Allowance, Eligibility & How to Apply

Last Updated: August 2026

Deadline: September 9, 2026

Award: Living allowance up to PHP 2,183/day + PHP 5/day lunch + medical insurance

Study Level: Undergraduate (3+ years completed) or recent graduate (within 6 months)

Eligibility: Public health, nursing, medicine, or social sciences students/research graduates

Application: https://careers.who.int/careersection/intern/jobdetail.ftl?job=2603170

Quick Facts

Deadline Notice

Deadline: September 9, 2026 – applications close at 5:59 AM (your local device time)

This internship runs from September to December 2026. Apply as early as possible – WHO internships are very competitive.

Who Can Apply?

You may be eligible if:

• You have completed at least three years of full-time university study in public health, nursing, medicine, or other health or social sciences.
• You are currently enrolled in a degree programme OR you graduated within the last six months.
• You have expert knowledge of English.
• You have experience with literature reviews, desk-based research, or drafting analytical reports.

You are not eligible if:

• You have not completed three years of university study.
• You graduated more than six months ago.
• You do not meet the English language requirement.
• You are unable to commit to the full 3-month duration in Manila.

What Does the Internship Cover?

Important details about the allowance

Interns do not receive a salary. Instead, WHO provides a living allowance to help cover daily expenses.

The amount depends on two factors:

1. Your permanent residence – whether you live in Manila or outside it.
2. Any external funding – if you receive other grants or scholarships, your WHO allowance may be adjusted.

For interns whose permanent residence is outside Manila, the estimated maximum allowance is PHP 2,183.8 per day. For those whose permanent residence is in Manila, it is PHP 895.48 per day.

The exact amount is calculated after selection based on a financial disclosure form.

All interns in Manila also receive USD 5 per working day for lunch at the WHO Campus. WHO also provides accident and medical insurance coverage for all interns.

What is NOT covered: Travel costs to Manila, accommodation, and visa fees are not covered. The official page notes that “living abroad is expensive and finding accommodation can be challenging” – factor this into your decision.

Who Should Apply?

Strong candidates are students or recent graduates in public health, nursing, medicine, or social sciences with research experience in ageing, long-term care, or health systems.

This internship is ideal if you:

• Want hands-on experience with WHO policy research.
• Have strong literature review and analytical writing skills.
• Are interested in healthy ageing and caregiving policy in the Western Pacific.
• Can commit to 3 months in Manila (September–December 2026).

Look elsewhere if you:

• Have no research experience – the role involves literature reviews, data compilation, and drafting briefs.
• Cannot relocate to Manila for 3 months.
• Graduated more than 6 months ago.

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Required Documents

Start gathering these documents early:

• □ Proof of enrolment – certified copy showing you are currently enrolled in a degree programme.
• □ Proof of graduation (if applicable) – if you graduated within the last 6 months.
• □ WHO medical certificate – certificate of fitness for work (completed if selected).
• □ Contact details for reference checks.
• □ Vaccination records – proof of required vaccinations.

Document tips

Proof of enrolment/graduation: WHO requires certified copies of proof of enrolment or qualification. Make sure your institution provides an official, stamped document.

Medical certificate: This is required if selected – you don’t need it for the initial application.

Vaccination: WHO contracts require confirmation of vaccination. You will need to provide a vaccination card during medical clearance.

WHED accreditation: WHO only considers degrees from institutions accredited in the World Higher Education Database (WHED). Check your university is listed at http://www.whed.net.

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How to Apply

Follow these steps carefully:

1. Go to the WHO Careers portal – open the official application link: https://careers.who.int/careersection/intern/jobdetail.ftl?job=2603170.
2. Review the job description – read the full description, duties, and qualifications to confirm you meet all requirements.
3. Create or log in to your WHO Careers account – you will need an account to submit your application.
4. Complete the online application form – fill in all required fields accurately.
5. Upload your documents – attach your CV/resume and any other required documents. You will need proof of enrolment or qualification if selected.
6. Submit your application before the deadline – September 9, 2026 at 5:59 AM your local time.
7. Wait for contact – only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
8. If selected, complete the additional steps – provide certified proof of enrolment, medical certificate, and reference contacts.

Official Application: https://careers.who.int/careersection/intern/jobdetail.ftl?job=2603170

Technical tip: If the website does not display properly, try using the latest version of Chrome, Edge, or Firefox. Clear your browser history and open the site in a new browser window.

How to Write a Strong Application

The internship involves policy-oriented research on healthy ageing and caregiving. Your application should demonstrate:

• Research experience – highlight any literature reviews, desk-based research, or analytical reports you have written.
• Knowledge of ageing, long-term care, or health systems – academic or research experience in these areas is a major advantage.
• Ability to synthesize information across countries – experience with multi-country research or policy analysis is desirable.

What to emphasize:

• Your analytical writing skills – you will draft a 10-15 page analytical brief.
• Familiarity with grey literature – government reports, international organization publications.
• Software skills – Word, Excel, PowerPoint are essential; statistical software (XLStat) or reference management tools are an advantage.

Weak answer: “I have good research skills.”

Stronger answer: “I conducted a systematic literature review on long-term care policies across five Southeast Asian countries, synthesizing findings into a 20-page policy brief for my university’s public health department.”

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Missing the deadline – applications close September 9, 2026 at 5:59 AM your local time. Apply well in advance.
2. Applying without meeting the education requirement – you need 3+ years of full-time university study completed before the internship starts.
3. Applying if you graduated more than 6 months ago – only graduates within 6 months of completion are eligible.
4. Not checking your university’s WHED accreditation – WHO only accepts degrees from accredited institutions.
5. Assuming travel and accommodation are covered – they are not. Living in Manila is expensive.
6. Ignoring the language requirement – expert knowledge of English is essential.
7. Applying without research experience – this role involves literature reviews, data compilation, and drafting – highlight relevant experience.

Important Dates

FAQ

Can international students apply?

Yes. The WHO internship is open to students of all nationalities. There is no nationality restriction.

Is the internship fully funded?

Partially. WHO provides a living allowance (PHP 895–2,183/day) plus a lunch allowance and medical insurance. It does not cover travel, accommodation, or visa costs.

What is the deadline?

September 9, 2026 at 5:59 AM (your local device time).

What GPA is required?

Not publicly stated. WHO does not specify a minimum GPA requirement.

Can Master’s students apply?

Yes. Master’s students who have completed at least 3 years of university study are eligible.

Does the scholarship cover tuition?

No. This is an internship, not a tuition-based scholarship. WHO provides a living allowance, not tuition coverage.

How many students receive the award?

Not publicly stated. WHO notes that internships are “very competitive and only a small number of applicants will be accepted every year”.

Where do I apply?

Online via the WHO Careers portal: https://careers.who.int/careersection/intern/jobdetail.ftl?job=2603170.

Final Verdict

Is this internship worth applying for?

Apply if: You are a public health, nursing, medicine, or social sciences student/research graduate with strong analytical skills and an interest in healthy ageing policy. The allowance (up to ~PHP 65,500/month for non-residents) can cover living costs in Manila, and WHO experience is highly valuable for a career in global health.

Biggest restriction: You must have completed 3+ years of university and be either currently enrolled or graduated within the last 6 months.

Main benefit: Hands-on research experience at WHO, contributing to real policy work on caregiving and healthy ageing in the Western Pacific.

Most important action: Apply by September 9, 2026 – and make sure your application highlights your research and analytical experience.