OECD Young Associates Program 2026–2028 | Fully Funded Two-Year Placement in Paris for Bachelor’s Graduates. The OECD has officially opened applications for its renowned Young Associates Program (YAP), a fully funded opportunity offering early-career professionals two years of hands-on experience in international policy, economics, governance, and research. Based at OECD Headquarters in Paris, the programme is designed for exceptional recent Bachelor’s graduates planning to pursue a Master’s or PhD after the fellowship. This article provides a detailed breakdown of YAP 2026–2028, including responsibilities, eligibility criteria, compensation, application steps, and additional insights to help candidates strengthen their applications. This website is not affiliated with OECD; we only advertise global opportunities for informational purposes.
H2: Background & Job Description
The OECD Young Associates Program (YAP) 2026–2028 is one of the world’s most competitive early-career opportunities for high-achieving young professionals aspiring to careers in global governance, economics, international development, public policy, digital transformation, or social research. Managed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the programme is centered at the organization’s headquarters in Paris, France — a global hub for economic analysis and multilateral policy coordination.
Founded in 1961, the OECD brings together 38 member countries to promote economic growth, democratic governance, social development, sustainability, and policy innovation. Its research and policy recommendations influence governments, private sector actors, and international organizations such as the UN, IMF, World Bank, and WTO.
The Young Associates Program was created to build a pipeline of future global leaders and policy experts by giving early-career professionals unparalleled access to:
- High-level economic and policy research
- Evidence-based policy development
- International cooperation and diplomatic negotiations
- Multidisciplinary approaches to global challenges
- Exposure to senior economists, analysts, and directors
YAP is a two-year, full-time, paid fellowship, with Young Associates placed in different OECD Directorates depending on their academic background, technical skills, and interests. Past placements include:
- Economics Department
- Public Governance Directorate
- Environment Directorate
- Trade and Agriculture Directorate
- Employment, Labour and Social Affairs Directorate
- Development Co-operation Directorate
- Directorate for Education and Skills
- Directorate for Science, Technology and Innovation
- Centre for Tax Policy and Administration
- Global Relations and Co-operation Directorate
Each Young Associate is paired with a senior policy expert who provides mentorship, supervision, and professional development guidance throughout the programme.
This opportunity is specifically tailored for recent Bachelor’s graduates (no older than 2 years post-graduation) who plan to pursue a Master’s or PhD after completing the fellowship. OECD intentionally designs the programme to act as a launchpad into graduate school and high-impact public policy careers.
Applicants selected for the 2026–2028 intake will begin their fellowship in September 2026, with the programme running until August 2028.
Applications close 14 December 2025, giving candidates a defined timeline to prepare competitive application materials.
This article is only for informational and educational purposes — I am not affiliated with the OECD.
OECD Young Associates Program 2026–2028 | Fully Funded Two-Year Placement in Paris for Bachelor’s Graduates
H2: Tasks
The OECD Young Associates Programme offers one of the most comprehensive work experiences available to early-career professionals. Young Associates are fully integrated into technical teams and are expected to contribute meaningfully to ongoing research, policy projects, and international collaborations.
Tasks vary depending on the assigned directorate, but the following overview presents the core responsibilities expected across all placements.
1. Policy Research and Data Analysis
Young Associates contribute directly to OECD’s evidence-based policy work by:
- Conducting literature reviews and desk research on economic, social, digital, environmental, or governance topics
- Gathering and cleaning quantitative and qualitative data from member countries
- Supporting the development of cross-country comparative analyses
- Using statistical tools (e.g., Stata, R, Python, Excel) to analyze datasets
- Identifying emerging trends and policy gaps across thematic areas
- Preparing short research notes, working papers, and policy briefs
- Assisting with impact measurement and evaluation of policy instruments
This work strengthens the OECD’s policy recommendations and provides governments with reliable analyses for decision-making.
2. Drafting Reports, Briefings, and Publications
Young Associates often participate in drafting sections of:
- OECD flagship publications
- Working papers
- Country reviews
- Policy toolkits
- Technical reports
- Stakeholder briefings
- Meeting summaries
These written contributions help build a strong foundation for future academic or policy writing.
3. Supporting Events, Meetings, and International Workshops
Key responsibilities may include:
- Preparing agendas, background documents, and speeches for high-level meetings
- Coordinating international workshops, conferences, and expert consultations
- Taking detailed notes during intergovernmental meetings
- Supporting OECD delegations in interactions with member states
These experiences expose Young Associates to diplomacy, negotiation dynamics, and multilateral coordination.
4. Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration
Young Associates frequently interact with:
- Government ministries
- Research institutions
- Private sector partners
- Civil society organizations
- UN agencies
- Academic networks
- Development partners
Tasks may involve:
- Mapping stakeholders
- Supporting consultations
- Drafting outreach material
- Maintaining communication with member country representatives
5. Project Management and Administrative Support
Other tasks may include:
- Supporting project timelines and work plans
- Monitoring deliverables
- Maintaining documentation and databases
- Providing logistical support for programme activities
These responsibilities help Young Associates gain project coordination skills crucial for future policy roles.
6. Innovation, Digital Tools, and Knowledge Management
Depending on the unit, Young Associates may also:
- Support digital innovation tools and online platforms
- Develop knowledge-sharing libraries
- Contribute to web content or communication activities
- Assist in designing infographics, charts, and data visualizations
H2: Qualifications (Education & Certification, Experience)
The OECD Young Associates Programme is highly selective, and successful applicants typically demonstrate academic excellence, analytical capability, and a strong motivation to contribute to international policy development.
Below is the expanded eligibility section aligned with the OECD’s expectations.
Education Requirements
Applicants must:
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree earned between September 2024 and September 2026
- Have a strong academic record
- Be committed to pursuing a Master’s or PhD after completing the programme
Preferred academic fields include:
- Economics
- Statistics
- Public Policy
- International Relations
- Political Science
- Social Sciences
- International Development
- Environmental Studies
- Public Administration
- Data Science
- Law
- Education
- Health Policy
- Digital Policy
- Agriculture, Trade, or related disciplines
No advanced degree is required — Bachelor’s graduates are the target population.
Experience Requirements
Although formal work experience is not required, competitive applicants may possess:
- Research experience (academic or professional)
- Internship experience at government agencies, NGOs, universities, or think tanks
- Experience using statistical or data tools (R, Python, Stata, Excel, SQL)
- Policy writing experience
- Publications or thesis work
- Volunteer work relating to governance, social policy, or community development
Soft skill requirements include:
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
- Excellent writing and communication skills
- Ability to work collaboratively in multicultural environments
- Adaptability, initiative, and self-management
- Strong motivation to pursue a graduate degree
Language Requirements
- Fluency in English is mandatory
- Knowledge of French and additional OECD languages is an advantage
H2: Additional Information
This section provides applicants with detailed insights into the structure, benefits, salary, selection process, and application steps for YAP 2026–2028.
Programme Duration
- Start date: September 2026
- End date: August 2028
- Length: 24 months (non-renewable)
The duration is fixed and cannot be shortened or extended.
Duty Station
- OECD Headquarters, Paris, France
- On-site work is the standard; remote options are extremely limited and role-dependent
Compensation and Benefits
Young Associates receive:
- A competitive OECD salary package (aligned with junior-level positions)
- Health insurance coverage
- Paid holidays
- Travel support for relocation to Paris
- Access to OECD training programmes and events
- Mentorship and professional development
The compensation package varies by OECD grade level and benefits in effect during 2026.
Career Development Opportunities
The YAP fellowship prepares participants for:
- Master’s or PhD programmes
- Policy analyst roles in government
- International development careers
- Research positions at multilateral institutions
- Consulting roles in economics, governance, or social policy
Graduates have gone on to top institutions such as:
- Harvard
- Oxford
- Sciences Po
- LSE
- Stanford
- Johns Hopkins SAIS
- University of Toronto
- Yale
Application Process
Applicants must submit:
- Online application via the OECD Careers Portal
- CV tailored to policy and research
- Motivation statement explaining interest in the programme
- Academic transcripts
- Proof of Bachelor’s degree (or expected graduation)
Selection Process
The OECD selection process typically includes:
- Application screening
- Written assessment
- Interview with the hiring team
- Technical evaluation in some cases
Only shortlisted candidates are contacted.
Key Dates
- Applications open: November 2025
- Deadline: 14 December 2025
- Interviews: Early 2026
- Final decisions: Mid-2026
- Programme starts: September 2026
Important Notes
- OECD never charges fees for applications.
- I am not affiliated with OECD — this article is a summary for job seekers.
- Competition is extremely high; candidates should apply as early as possible.
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