UNDP Digital, AI and Innovation Internship 2026 [Home-Based; Monthly Stipend]: Apply by Sep 30

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is accepting applications for its Digital, AI and Innovation Internship: Global Call for 2026.

This is a three-month, full-time, home-based internship with UNDP’s Digital, AI and Innovation Hub. Eligible graduate students, final-year undergraduate students and recent graduates can apply for workstreams covering artificial intelligence, digital transformation, data governance, analytics, product development, communications and innovation.

Selected interns are eligible for a monthly stipend, although the amount has not been specified and may be prorated for remote arrangements.

Deadline: September 30, 2026

Important: Applicants must submit through both the UNDP Careers vacancy and the mandatory Airtable form. Completing only one step will leave the application incomplete.

UNDP Digital, AI and Innovation Internship 2026: Highlights

Organisation: United Nations Development Programme
Internship: Digital, AI and Innovation Internship
Job ID: 33001
Location: Home-based
Mode: Remote
Schedule: Full-time
Duration: Three months
Stipend: Monthly stipend; amount varies
Language: Fluency in English
Eligible applicants: Graduate students, final-year bachelor’s students and recent graduates
Start date: Flexible and based on organisational needs
Application fee: None
Application process: UNDP Careers portal and Airtable form
Deadline: September 30, 2026

About the Internship

The internship is offered by UNDP’s Digital, AI and Innovation Hub, which supports digital transformation, responsible use of artificial intelligence, data systems, innovation and digital-product development across UNDP programmes.

Successful applicants may support projects involving governments, UNDP Country Offices, development partners and other teams working towards the Sustainable Development Goals.

Applications are being considered on a rolling basis. Selected applicants may hear from UNDP at any time up to the end of 2026.

Available Workstreams

Applicants may contribute to one or more of the following areas:

Systems Transformation and Innovation

Research emerging policy approaches, study global trends and help develop innovative programmes addressing complex development challenges.

Programme Delivery and Capacity Building

Support digital, data and AI initiatives; prepare training materials, practical toolkits and implementation guidance; and help organise webinars or learning sessions.

Data Policy and Governance

Research data protection, responsible data use, digital rights and national data-governance frameworks.

Data Analytics and Insights

Clean and analyse data, develop dashboards and trackers, support monitoring and evaluation, and convert findings into practical insights.

Partnerships and Strategic Communications

Research potential partners and prepare concept notes, proposals, presentations, speeches, newsletters, blogs and social-media content.

Process Efficiency and Resource Management

Track project plans and deliverables, create internal guidance and dashboards, and suggest improvements to operational processes.

Product Design, Development and Management

Support the design, testing and implementation of apps, platforms, web applications and AI tools for UNDP programmes.

Research and Knowledge Management

Conduct desk research, prepare briefing materials, maintain knowledge platforms and help curate digital, data and AI resources.

Stipend and Expenses

UNDP interns are eligible for a monthly stipend under the organisation’s internship policy.

The exact amount is not stated. The rate varies according to the duty arrangement, and remote or part-time internships may be prorated.

Applicants should note:

Expenses other than the stipend are normally borne by the intern or sponsoring institution.
If an intern receives external financial support, UNDP may pay only the difference between that support and the applicable UNDP stipend.
Selected interns must provide proof of health-insurance coverage.
Interns are not UNDP staff members and cannot represent UNDP in an official capacity.

Eligibility

Applicants must satisfy at least one of these educational conditions:

Be enrolled in a postgraduate programme, or
Be in the final academic year of a first university degree at bachelor’s level or equivalent, or
Have completed a university degree and be able to begin the internship within one year of graduation.

Applicants should also have:

Fluency in English
Interest or experience in at least one listed workstream
Ability to work independently and collaboratively
Strong communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to manage multiple responsibilities
Attention to detail
Willingness to learn and adapt

Interest or experience in a workstream is desirable, but the vacancy does not prescribe one compulsory academic subject.

Can Indian Students Apply?

The vacancy is described as a global call and does not state a nationality restriction. Eligible Indian students and recent graduates may apply if they meet the education, English-language and other requirements.

Required Documents

The application should include:

A brief cover letter in English
A current and complete CV in English
Information requested through the UNDP Careers portal
The separately completed Airtable form

Additional documents may be requested during selection or background verification.

How to Apply?

Applicants must complete both submission stages:

Open the official UNDP vacancy page.
Create or log in to a UNDP Careers account.
Complete the online vacancy application.
Upload a brief English cover letter and current English CV.
Submit the UNDP Careers application.
Open the mandatory UNDP Digital, AI and Innovation Airtable form.
Complete and submit the Airtable form separately.
Finish both steps by September 30, 2026.

Submitting only through the UNDP vacancy portal or only through Airtable is not sufficient.

Important Conditions

The internship is full-time, home-based and lasts three months.
The start date is flexible and depends on UNDP’s needs.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Only successful applicants will be contacted.
Selected candidates will undergo reference and background checks.
Health-insurance proof is compulsory for selected interns.
The stipend amount is not fixed in the vacancy.
UNDP does not charge an application, processing, interview, training or recruitment fee.
The internship does not make the intern a UNDP staff member.

Deadline

September 30, 2026

The vacancy text states that applications will be received on a rolling basis until September 30. The careers portal separately displays an “Apply Before” timestamp of October 1, likely because of its system time display. Applicants should use September 30 as the safe deadline.