No Experience Required? ICMPD’s Paid Policy Internship in Vienna Accepts Current Students

If you care about migration policy and want to work somewhere that actually shapes it, this internship is worth your attention.

The International Centre for Migration Policy Development, known as ICMPD, just opened a Policy Intern role in its Vienna office, and the deadline sits only two weeks away.

Here is everything you need to know before you send that application. If you are still weighing options, our list of scholarships and internships abroad with October 2026 deadlines is a good place to compare.

What ICMPD Actually Does

ICMPD stands for the International Centre for Migration Policy Development. It is an intergovernmental organisation that works with governments and international partners on migration-related policy and cooperation.

The organisation builds what it calls evidence-driven migration policy options and governance systems, helping countries respond to migration challenges with research-backed solutions rather than guesswork.

ICMPD runs projects across several regions and maintains a dedicated Policy Unit, which was established in 2017 as the organisation’s institutional home for policy analysis, advisory work, and migration trend monitoring.

This matters for you because the internship places you directly inside that Policy Unit, not in a side department disconnected from the real work.

The Role at a Glance

Keep that deadline in mind. Midnight CET on 17 November 2026 is the cutoff, and ICMPD states clearly that applications must arrive by then. Do not wait until the final afternoon to hit send.

What You Will Actually Be Doing

The Policy Unit’s priority topics for 2027 include labour and skills mobility, temporary protection, post-conflict recovery and reconstruction, and reintegration. As an intern, your daily tasks will revolve around supporting that work. Specifically, you can expect to:

• Conduct background research and gather data on topics such as skills mobility partnerships, talent attraction and retention, temporary protection, and return and reintegration.
• Help produce internal and external written outputs by feeding in research findings.
• Monitor new publications, take notes at external webinars, and share relevant information with the team.
• Assist with organising online and in-person events, including background research and identifying potential participants.
• Contribute to policy outreach and communications work, helping get ICMPD’s findings in front of policymakers.
• Support the team’s day-to-day activities as needed.

This is not a coffee-fetching internship. You are doing real research work that feeds into policy products used by an intergovernmental organisation.

Research-focused placements elsewhere work similarly, as you can see in our guide to the Turing Internship Network and CERN internships and graduate programmes.

Who Should Apply

ICMPD wants candidates who bring a mix of academic background and practical skill. Here is what they are looking for:

• A recently completed university degree, or current enrolment in a master’s or PhD programme, in a relevant field such as migration studies, public policy, political science, sociology, or economics.
• Solid knowledge of migration policy issues.
• A working understanding of research methods and migration data sources.
• Strong oral and written English, including sharp writing and editing skills.
• Good organisational and communication skills, with real attention to detail.
• Comfort with Microsoft applications and general computer literacy.
• The ability to manage conflicting priorities and work under tight deadlines.
• Genuine interest in working within a multidisciplinary, international team.
• Strong interpersonal skills, a proactive attitude, and flexibility.

Notice that ICMPD does not demand years of work experience. Students currently enrolled in a master’s or PhD programme can apply just as easily as recent graduates. If you studied political science in Lagos, international relations in Manila, or sociology in Nairobi, and your English writing holds up, you have a real shot here.

Compensation and What It Covers

ICMPD pays EUR 500 per month for this internship, based on a 40-hour work week. That figure will not cover Vienna’s cost of living on its own, so budget carefully if you are relocating from abroad. Our tips on finding affordable options abroad can help you plan. Alongside the stipend, you also get:

• 1.5 leave days per month, which you request by email in advance with your supervisor.
• Accident insurance for the duration of the internship.

What ICMPD does not cover matters just as much. Travel expenses will not be reimbursed, and health insurance is entirely the intern’s own responsibility. If you are coming from outside Austria, factor those costs into your planning well before your start date.

Also worth noting: an intern is not considered a staff member of ICMPD. If you are not an Austrian citizen, you are responsible for sorting out your own visa and complying with local registration rules once you arrive in Vienna.

How to Apply

The application process here is refreshingly simple, but you do need to follow the instructions exactly as written. Here is what to do:

1. Prepare your CV and a motivation letter, both written in English and saved as PDF files.
2. Email both documents to policy@icmpd.org.
3. Use this exact subject line: “Application: Intern – Policy Unit – [Your Full Name].”
4. Submit your application before midnight CET on 17 November 2026.

ICMPD notes that only short-listed candidates will be contacted, given the volume of applications they typically receive. If you make the shortlist, expect a personal or telephone interview as the next step. Prepare early with our guides on how to prepare for a scholarship interview, how to prepare for a job interview from abroad, and what a statement of purpose is and how to write one.

A Word on Scam Prevention

ICMPD has published a clear warning about recruitment scams, and it is worth repeating here. The organisation never charges fees for applications, processing, interviews, or any other part of recruitment.

All genuine vacancy information appears only on icmpd.org, careers.icmpd.org, and the organisation’s official social media accounts. Communication with selected candidates comes solely from @icmpd.org email addresses.

If anyone asks you for payment or contacts you through unofficial channels claiming to represent ICMPD, report it immediately to ReportScam@icmpd.org.

Why This Internship Stands Out

Migration policy internships with real intergovernmental organisations are not common, and most that exist come with far stricter experience requirements.

This one accepts current students, pays a monthly stipend rather than offering nothing, and places you inside a Policy Unit tackling genuinely pressing 2027 priorities like temporary protection and post-conflict reintegration.

LFor anyone building a career in international development, migration studies, or policy research, six months at ICMPD’s Vienna headquarters is a strong line to add to your résumé.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a master’s degree already completed to apply?

No, you do not. ICMPD accepts candidates who recently completed their undergraduate or postgraduate degree, as well as those currently enrolled in a master’s or PhD programme. A relevant field such as migration studies, political science, or sociology strengthens your application considerably.

Does ICMPD cover housing or travel costs?

No. ICMPD does not reimburse travel expenses, and health insurance remains the intern’s own responsibility throughout the six-month contract. Only accident insurance is provided. Plan your relocation budget carefully, especially if you are applying from outside Europe.

What language skills do I need for this role?

You need solid oral and written command of English, including strong writing and editing abilities, since the Policy Unit produces both internal and external written outputs. Knowledge of additional languages is not explicitly required but could strengthen your application.

What happens after I submit my application?

Only short-listed candidates receive a response, since ICMPD typically processes a high volume of applications. If selected, you should expect a personal or telephone interview as the next step before any final decision on the internship placement is made.

Official Links

Always rely on ICMPD’s official channels for the latest dates and requirements.

Disclaimer: Internship terms, allowances and dates can change. Verify all details directly with ICMPD before applying.