Inspiring a new generation of students committed to promoting innovation and change in the public sector.
Program Overview
American and French students convene in Toulouse, France for an an eight-week internship program during which they design their own group project and work alongside prestigious institutions to solve real problems in the public sector. Internships are conducted in English.
In addition to a rich and hands-on internship experience, American students attend orientation sessions and seminars at prestigious French schools of Public Affairs to help them better understand the French and European political, economic, and cultural context before joining their host institution.
Launched in 2018, the annual program has already welcomed more than 60 French and American interns to Toulouse. Topics and research conducted in previous years have included studying climate change on coastal regions with CNES, Big Data and AI with the City of Toulouse, eco-mobility, and international student mobility. To see the full catalogue of internship offerings, click here.
Eligibility
The Innovation Policy Internship Program is open to undergraduate, graduate, and PhD students regardless of nationality or proficiency in French. Students must be enrolled at universities that take part in the French Embassy’s Centers of Excellence or at University of Chicago and must be enrolled for the duration of the internship. Each American intern will work closely with an English-speaking French intern for help navigating the French workplace.
US applicants must have a valid passport issued within the past 10 years and valid for at least 3 months after the intended departure date.
Fees
Program fees vary slightly year to year, but are typically at or below $3,000. In addition to access to all planned programming, this fee covers rent for a furnished studio apartment in a residence with other American interns for the duration of the program, health and liability insurance, a local transportation pass throughout the program, transportation upon arrival in Toulouse to the intern’s residence, and logistical support from the Embassy of France in the U.S and local partner institutions.
Airfare is not included in the program fee. Selected students are encouraged to seek funding from their university.
Apply
Eligible candidates must submit their application through the online form. The link will go live when the application period opens.
Selected candidates are offered one of the internships indicated on their application. Once an offer is accepted, students will proceed to pay the program fees and purchase plane tickets (if applicable).
All selected candidates must have their Internship Agreement signed by their school. This signed document is a legal requirement in France for interns. No student will be allowed to start the program without a signed Internship Agreement.
For more information, please consult the FAQ or get in touch via email.