In the early days of its program, IFE focused on developing strong and enduring ties with political and governmental institutions including State ministries (Health and Welfare, Culture, Ecology, Labor and others), members of Parliament, parliamentary caucuses, political parties, the City of Paris, city halls and local government agencies in municipalities surrounding Paris, and regional government.

Using this success as a model, and eager to respond to broadening student demand, successive staff members at IFE have drawn on their particular areas of expertise to widen and deepen IFE’s pool of partnering organizations willing to host an IFE intern. These partners can be grouped into four main fields of endeavor.

 Politics and Policy, including French politics, European Integration and International Relations

Besides the institutions mentioned above, IFE works closely with the major European affairs think tanks and research centers in various fields, including international relations.

 Culture, including public support for the arts, cultural policy, education, fine arts and theatre arts

Partner organizations include museums, art galleries, auction houses, art and culture foundations, media organizations (press and audiovisual), theatre companies, production companies, concert halls, schools, institutions of higher education and others.

 Science and Engeneering

Students with appropriate background are placed in laboratories, or technical placements in applied settings (public health, environment, private firms, etc.), or in agencies and instituts involved in science policy.

 Social Issues

IFE counts a number of partners in the milieu of not-for-profit organizations, as well as NGO’s and social agencies, working on a variety of problems from discrimination, public health and child wellbeing to poverty, development, the environment, or the treatment of women.

 Economics, Trade, Business, Finance

This is IFE ’s newest field of endeavor, and already partners have come forward from the private sector. Nonetheless, IFE maintains and expands relations with public or para-public institutions in this field, including economic research or forecasting centers, think tanks on financial regulation, commercial services of embassies, and many others, as host organizations for its students in economics, business, or management majors or career paths.