How to Apply

Applications for the 2024 International Exchange Program are now closed. Applications for 2025 will open on November 1st, 2024.

Apply as an Intern

To become a 2025 IEP Intern, please complete the online application by January 1st, 2025. You will need a Google account in order to submit the application. The application will ask you to submit:

  • Information about you, your educational background, your experience, and internship preferences
  • A 500-word essay in English describing your motivation for wanting to participate in the program and how completion of an internship overseas will contribute to your career
  • A curriculum vitae
  • Two work samples that demonstrate your skill and ability to execute work that meets professional standards
  • Two letters of recommendation

Size and file type restrictions are specified on the form.

Applicants will be considered for all positions for which they are qualified. Applicants apply to the program, not a specific country or internship.

Letters of Recommendation

The Letters of Recommendation should be written by professors or employers attesting to the applicant’s professional competency and ability to represent their country. Recommendations should be confidential. The authors of the recommendation letters should email them directly to Katelynn Cunningham, IEP Coordinator at programs@WorldHeritageUSA.org

Application Fee

For U.S. Applicants: membership with ICOMOS USA is required. Join ICOMOS USA here.

For International Applicants: World Heritage USA cannot require membership in your national committee or ICOMOS International. However it is strongly recommended. All conditions being equal, an applicant who is a member of their national committee or ICOMOS International will be considered more favorably than one who is not.

Application Deadline

The online form must be completed no later than 11:59 PM (applicant’s local time) on January 1st, 2025. Both letters of recommendation must be received by the IEP Program Coordinator via email by this time as well. No late or incomplete applications will be accepted.

Become an Intern

Apply as a Host Organization

To become a 2025 IEP Host Organization, please complete the online application by January 15, 2025. The application will ask you to submit:

  • Administrative information about your organization
  • A title for the proposed intern project
  • A description of the proposed project
  • A description of the proposed work (office vs. field, solo vs. group, etc.)
  • A list of technical skills required for the proposed project
  • A description of the final product to be produced by the IEP Intern
  • Information concerning housing for the IEP Intern
  • Information about expected IEP Intern costs
  • Information about required transportation

After the review of your application, you will be contacted to discuss further details.

Questions about the application process should be directed to Katelynn Cunningham, IEP Program Coordinator at programs@WorldHeritageUSA.org

Become a Host Organization

Selection Process and Notification

The International Exchange Program review and selection process is conducted in two phases.

Phase I:

All applications to the International Excahnge Program are reviewed by the World Heritage USA IEP Committee. The committee selects the best applicant for each available project. Interns are selected on the basis of skill, demonstrated commitment to preservation, previous experience, and academic concentration in the field. They are also chosen based on their ability to represent ICOMOS, their national committee of ICOMOS, and their country in an exchange program. Most importantly,  interns are selected based on how well their skills, training, interest and previous experience align with the needs of host organizations. Therefore, not every qualified candidate will be selected to participate in the IEP.

Phase II:

After the World Heritage USA IEP Committee has made recommendations for intern selections and project assignments, selected interns applications are sent to the host organizations for review and approvel. Host organizations give the final approval of intern selection and assignment.

Notification:

Applicants will be notified by email if their application has been selected for submission to a host organization. This notification is sent around early to mid-March, if possible.

Final email notification of acceptance to participate in the IEP will be sent as soon as the host organization agrees to accept the intern. Selected interns will then receive an information packet via email.

Please note that, on occasion, a selected applicant cancels before the start of their internship. Likewise, new internships may develop after the initial round of review. Therefore, World Heritage USA will keep all intern applications on file for the duration of the year in case new opportunities arise.

Questions about the application process should be directed to Katelynn Cunningham, IEP Program Coordinator at programs@WorldHeritageUSA.org