Applicable conditions and procedures of the IMO Internship Programme
Students are considered for attachment at IMO Headquarters only at the request of their Governments or appropriate governmental authorities if the country concerned is a Member State of IMO or at the request of Universities/high learning institutions. All applications must be accompanied by a letter from the Sponsor, addressed to the Secretary-General.

Attachments are offered for periods of two weeks to a maximum of three months. The Internship Programme is particularly designed for students undertaking research in the activities of the Organization for the main purpose of writing their dissertation or to further their own research. Priority is given to students with an academic background in the fields of shipping, marine environment, international maritime and environmental law, and who have already obtained a University Degree and are studying for, or completed, a Master or Ph.D Degree.

The purpose of the attachment must be directly related to the work of IMO and the request for attachment should indicate clearly the specific areas of the Organization's work that are of interest to the applicant. The Programme does not provide opportunities for students to be attached to the Secretariat as trainees in order to obtain work or practical experience, and students who apply individually for internship on this basis will not be eligible. In order to apply a fair treatment towards all applicants, the Programme operates on a 'first come, first served basis'.

The acceptance of students for attachment at IMO's Headquarters is subject to the clear understanding that their stay will entail no financial implications, legal obligations or liabilities for the Organization. Applications must be accompanied by a written agreement to this effect both from the governmental authority or high learning institution requesting the attachment and from the applicants themselves.

IMO does not have a training programme for interns as such. Students who are accepted for a period of internship are not supervised and are expected to determine for themselves the method and scope of their work at IMO. The Organization cannot give regular assignments to interns or incorporate them into the work schedule of the Secretariat of the Organization. They will be given the opportunity, when appropriate, to observe the proceedings of any committees or bodies of the Organization which may be meeting during the period of their stay. However, all interns will attend IMO meetings in their personal capacity only and cannot sit with delegations from their respective countries or take part in the meetings.

Administrative procedure to apply to the programme
Please note that the IMO Internship Programme is very small and does not offer opportunities for job experience. Applications will be processed for authorization on a first come, first served basis, and only, if they comply with the above guidelines.

There is no application form, instead, if the conditions are met, a letter should be addressed to Mrs. Teresa Martins de Oliveira, Senior Deputy Director, Sub-Division for External Relations, Legal Affairs and External Relations Division stating the research subject and the period of internship required. Please attach to the letter your curriculum vitae (including your e-mail address in your details) and the letter of support from the University (Paragraph 1 of the Conditions).

In the majority of the cases, the above Guidelines would be sufficient to provide the information regarding the IMO Internship Programme. However, if specific information (not provided in these Guidelines) is required, please contact Mr. Berty Louis Nayna, External Relations Officer, Accreditation and Liaison Office, Sub-Division for External Relations, Legal Affairs and External Relations Division (e-mail address:bnayna@imo.org)