MoFA Nepal Summer Internship 2026

Serve Nepal. Shape Policy.

The MoFA Nepal Summer Internship 2026 is an 8-week voluntary policy research internship initiated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nepal and hosted by the Institute of Foreign Affairs.

The programme is designed to bring together Nepali graduates and professionals, both in Nepal and abroad, who wish to contribute independent policy research to Nepal’s foreign policy agenda. Through this internship, selected participants will work on emerging and strategic policy issues that are central to Nepal’s diplomatic priorities in the coming decade.

The internship will run from mid-June to mid-August 2026 and will include both in-person engagement in Kathmandu and remote research components. Selected interns will be expected to participate in required sessions, check-ins, mentorship engagements, and final presentation activities.

About the Programme

The MoFA Nepal Summer Internship is a structured research-based internship that connects Nepali talent with Nepal’s foreign policy ecosystem. The programme aims to generate fresh, independent research on issues such as strategic affairs, development finance, emerging technologies, clean energy, diaspora engagement, labour mobility, public diplomacy, and international cooperation.

Selected interns will conduct policy-oriented research, engage with relevant officials and mentors, and develop practical recommendations that may support the work of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and related policy institutions.

At its core, the programme has three objectives:

Knowledge: To generate fresh and independent policy research on issues that will shape Nepal’s foreign policy in the next decade.
Partnership: To create a structured exchange between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Nepali talent with academic, professional, technical, and policy expertise.
Network: To build a growing community of Nepali researchers, professionals, and policy contributors who can continue engaging with Nepal’s foreign policy agenda beyond the internship period.

Who Should Apply

This programme is intended for graduates and professionals with a demonstrated interest in Nepal’s foreign policy, diplomacy, public policy, international relations, development, law, technology, climate, energy, migration, diaspora affairs, or related fields.

Applicants may include:

Nepali graduates and professionals based in Nepal
Nepali citizens living abroad
Non-Resident Nepali cardholders
People of Nepali origin
Researchers, analysts, policy professionals, and practitioners
Individuals with relevant academic, technical, legal, development, or professional experience

Applicants who have completed an undergraduate degree may be considered. Recent high school or +2/A-Level graduates are not eligible for this programme.

Applicant Profile

This is a strong fit for you if you are:

A Nepali graduate or professional interested in contributing to Nepal’s foreign policy agenda.
A researcher, practitioner, or policy-oriented professional with relevant academic or professional experience.
Someone with a background in international relations, public policy, law, economics, development studies, political science, technology policy, climate policy, energy, migration studies, security studies, or other relevant fields.
Interested in diplomacy, strategic affairs, development finance, emerging technologies, clean energy, diaspora engagement, labour mobility, public diplomacy, or international cooperation.
Able to conduct independent research and produce a practical policy memo within the 8-week internship period.
Motivated by public service and willing to contribute through a voluntary, service-oriented internship.

Research Themes

Research Clusters

Applicants should select one primary research cluster. Each cluster is connected to a core policy question relevant to Nepal’s foreign policy agenda.

1. Digital Governance and Technology Policy-How do states build and protect sovereign digital infrastructure in an era of rapid technological change?

2. Emerging Technologies and National Security-How do technologies at the frontier of development alter the security calculus for states?

3. Foreign Policy Positioning and Strategic Autonomy-How can countries like Nepal navigate relationships with multiple major powers while preserving policy independence, national interest, and diplomatic flexibility?

4. Conflict, Instability, and Economic Exposure- How do geopolitical conflicts in distant regions affect labour-sending and remittance-dependent states?

5. Climate Diplomacy- How do frontline states build diplomatic leverage in international climate negotiations?

6. Energy Transition and Diplomacy- How does the global energy transition create new diplomatic opportunities for resource-holding states?

7. Human Mobility, Labor Diplomacy, and Workers’ Rights- How do states protect and advance the interests of their nationals working abroad?

8. Diaspora, Transnational Communities, and Foreign Policy- How do diaspora communities shape the foreign policy of their countries of origin?

9. Tourism, Culture, and Public Diplomacy- How do states use tourism and cultural exchange as instruments of foreign policy?

10. Development Finance and Investment Diplomacy- How do developing states transition from aid dependency to investment-led growth?

11. Open Research Proposal

Applicants may propose a cluster not listed above. The proposed topic must demonstrate clear policy relevance and be feasible within the 8-week internship period.

What Interns Will Produce

Each selected intern will produce a concise, policy-oriented research memo. The memo should be practical, evidence-based, and relevant to Nepal’s foreign policy priorities.

The final output will generally include:

Executive summary
Background
Analysis
Key findings
Recommendations
Conclusion

The memo should present clear findings and specific, feasible recommendations that can support policy thinking and institutional discussion.

Programme Structure

The internship will run over 8 weeks from mid-June to mid-August 2026.

The programme will include:

Orientation session
Research work plan submission
Weekly check-ins
Speaker sessions
Mentorship sessions
Mid-point review
Draft submission
Final presentation and handover

Selected interns will be expected to manage their independent research responsibly and meet all agreed milestones.

Participation Format

The programme will include both in-person and remote components. However, the entire internship cannot be completed remotely. Selected interns will be expected to participate in required in-person sessions and engagements in Kathmandu.

Applicants should ensure that they are able to meet the participation requirements of the programme before applying.

Application Requirements

Applicants are required to complete and submit the official online application form. Applications submitted by email will not be considered.

Applicants should be prepared to provide the following:

Applicant Information: Basic personal, academic, and professional details, including contact information, current affiliation, educational background, relevant experience, and connection to Nepal or Nepali public policy.
Curriculum Vitae / Resume: A current CV or resume highlighting relevant academic, professional, research, policy, technical, or public service experience.
Research Cluster Selection: Selection of one primary research cluster from the list provided. Applicants may also indicate a secondary cluster if their proposed research cuts across more than one area.
Research Interest Statement: A short statement explaining the policy issue the applicant wishes to study, why it matters for Nepal, and how it connects to Nepal’s foreign policy, diplomacy, or international engagement.
Research Proposal: A focused proposal outlining the applicant’s research question, policy relevance, methodology, expected sources, likely output, and feasibility within the 8-week internship period.
Statement of Purpose: A statement explaining the applicant’s motivation for joining the internship, how their background prepares them to contribute, and how they hope to support Nepal’s foreign policy thinking during and after the programme.
Writing Sample: A sample of prior written work that demonstrates analytical ability, policy thinking, and clear communication.
Availability Confirmation: Confirmation that the applicant is available to participate in the internship period and complete required activities, including orientation, check-ins, mentorship sessions, draft submission, and final presentation.

Assessment Criteria

Applications will be assessed based on the clarity of the research question, rigour of the proposed methodology, relevance to the selected research cluster, quality of writing, specificity of expertise, and credibility of the applicant’s contribution given their background.

Strong applications should present a focused and realistic policy research idea that can be completed within the internship period and translated into a practical policy memo.

Important Dates

Application Deadline: 31 May 2026
Programme Period: Mid-June to Mid-August 2026
Duration: 8 weeks

How to Apply

Interested applicants must complete the official application form by 31 May 2026.

Application Form: Apply now
https://forms.gle/5BHE2vEGNDcPrhwr9

Applications submitted by email will not be considered.

Contact

For further enquiries, please contact the Institute of Foreign Affairs:

instituteofforeignaffairs@gmail.com
ifa7nepal@gmail.com

Institute of Foreign Affairs