The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has a summer internship program where students have an opportunity to work side-by-side with some of the leading
scientists in the world!
The Summer Internship Program (SIP) is for students who will be sixteen (16) years of age or older at the time they begin the internship AND who are currently enrolled at least half-time in high school or an accredited U.S. college or university as undergraduate, graduate or professional students. Students who have been accepted into a college or university program may also apply. To be eligible, candidates must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
The stipends for trainees are adjusted yearly and pay level is based on prior experience. High school students have an opportunity to earn up to $1,900/month. For more information about stipends, please visit the Trainee Stipends page.
Prospective candidates must apply online. The application is currently available and is due on March 1. In addition to the application, candidates should also submit:
A curriculum vitae or resume;
A list of coursework and grades;
A cover letter describing the applicant's research interests and career goals; and
The names and contact information for two references (Letters of recommendation are due no later than March 15, 2012, at 11:30pm EDT).
Candidates may also specify the scientific methodologies or disease/organ systems that they are most interested in.
The NIH Summer Internship Program is highly competitive. In 2010, more than 6,700 applications were submitted and only about 1,200 interns were selected. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis from November through April. Individual scientists select their own summer interns – there is no centralized selection process. For suggestions on how to increase your chances of being offered a position, please read the SIP Frequently Asked Questions.
Candidates will be informed of their selection by the hiring Institute. Successful candidates will be required to submit the following documentation to their Institute or Center prior to beginning their internships:
Official high school, college, or graduate school transcripts;
Proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status. U.S. citizens may submit a copy of their birth certificate or passport. Permanent residents will need to provide a copy of their alien registration card.
