NIH High School Internship Program Guide

If you’re interested in a career in health (or maybe just kinda curious), it’s a great idea to get some experience before you spend a ton of time in college working toward it, just to make sure it’s something you really want.

For example, we knew a student once who said he wanted to be a doctor, but got really squeamish at the sight of blood… great example of why it’s important to explore some first.

If you’re especially interested in the research side, one amazing potential option is to spend your summer doing a full-time internship with a team of researchers from the National Institutes of Health—usually referred to as the NIH. 

The NIH High School Internship Program could be a fantastic opportunity.


So below, we’ll dive deep into what the NIH High School Internship Program is and how to apply.

What is the NIH High School Internship Program?

The NIH High School Internship Program (you’re probably primarily thinking of the Summer Internship Program—SIP), offers students a paid, immersive summer (6-8 weeks) in biomedical and behavioral research at National Institutes of Health facilities. Interns are paired with leading scientists for hands-on lab work, mentorship, and professional development events like career workshops and poster presentations. And you get all of that all while fostering skills in science communication and research ethics. 

This paid internship is potentially perfect for you if you’re in 11th or 12th grade and are keen to explore a career in biomedical research. Interns join research groups at one of NIH’s campuses, including the main one in Bethesda, MD. 

Campuses offering the program, which usually lasts around eight weeks, include:  

  • Baltimore, MD

  • Bethesda, MD

  • Detroit, MI

  • Durham, NC

  • Framingham, MA

  • Frederick, MD

  • Hamilton, MT

  • Phoenix, AZ

Most campuses have a different focus on specific fields—from the Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research in Maryland to the Phoenix Epidemiology and Clinical Research Branch in Arizona. 

If you’d like a research opportunity in the biomedical, behavioral, and social sciences and would love the chance to explore basic, translational, and clinical research, you can find out more about the specific focuses here.

What do NIH interns do?

NIH Summer Interns join research groups directed by a “Principal Investigator” (PI), exploring aspects of biology, engineering, epidemiology, psychology, mathematics, chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, nursing, physics, computer science, bioinformatics, and other health-related fields. NIH internships are full-time research positions, a great way to test out how much you enjoy a field you’re considering spending your future working in.

If your application is successful, before you start, you’ll attend a one-day orientation session to get to know the NIH and its research culture, find out about the resources available, and receive some tips on how to make your summer internship a success. This will also include practical advice on keeping a lab notebook, reading scientific papers, and dealing with lab math. Meaning you’ll be well-prepared by the time you join your research team.

You won’t only get great research experience. You’ll also have a chance to participate in professional development programs, which are targeted at the skills you need for a future career in healthcare, STEM, or research. At the end of the summer, you’ll be able to share your research with the rest of the NIH community at their Graduate and Professional School Fair and Summer Poster Day.

NIH Internship Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the High School Summer Internship Program, you must be:

  • Typically, age 16-18 (For some programs, 17 or older by June of that year)

  • A high school junior or senior when you apply

  • A U.S. citizen or permanent resident. (U.S. citizens may apply if they are enrolled at least half-time in high school. Permanent residents must be enrolled in a high school in the U.S. to be eligible.)

  • Living within 40 miles of the NIH campus where you will intern (If you are over 18, this doesn’t apply.)

  • High school graduates who have completed a gap year and are starting community college or college in the fall are also eligible to apply.

How much does the program cost?

The program is free. In fact, it is a paid internship program. If your application is successful, you’ll receive a monthly stipend, provided by the specific laboratory or Institute that offers you a position. Sometimes, if a lab doesn’t have the funds, you might be invited to join as a volunteer.

How to apply to the NIH High School Internship Program

Applications generally open in early December and close in February. You’ve often got a little bit of extra time past the early February deadline to submit your reference letter.

You’ll apply through the NIH Application Center. First, find the program you want to apply for through the ‘Open Programs’ list, then check whether you are eligible and click through the ‘Apply’ link.

To apply, you’ll need to send:

  • Your resume—have a look at our guidance here on how to get started with your resume.

  • A list of coursework and grades (no need for a transcript at this stage)

  • A personal statement that explains your research interests and career goals and how this Summer Internship Program will help you achieve them. For more help on this statement, which is very similar to the “Why Us?” essays you might soon be writing for your college applications, have a look at this great resource on Why Us essays.

  • If you want to, you can be specific about particular methodologies or areas of research that most interest you

  • The names and contact details for two references

  • Proof of health insurance

If you’re successful, you’ll be working with a Principal Investigator for the summer. These are the people who select their summer interns (and provide the funding from their own department). They start to review applications and interview candidates in January, and usually the process is completed by April. 

Although you need to apply first, it’s a great idea to reach out to the PIs in the Intramural Research Program that you are most excited about. Emailing PIs to introduce yourself and let them know why you would be a great fit for their program is the best way to promote yourself as a strong candidate for the summer internship. There’s a great video here to help you find out more on finding an NIH mentor.

Still have questions? You can email SIP@nih.gov for more guidance.

If this internship doesn’t look like quite the right fit for you, there are plenty more opportunities to explore. Have a look at the links below to see more great ways to spend your summer:

You can find a bunch more on our Summer Programs page. Or find out more about why doing a summer internship is a great idea and what options there might be for you in STEM:

 

Jane Longley is a devoted reader, writer, and educator. Her love of stories began when she discovered the joy of reading at an early age. She’s rarely without a book, and this interest persists today in her work as an essay coach, helping others share their stories. Having graduated from Oxford University with a degree in Modern Languages, Jane worked as a teacher in the UK for ten years before moving to Nicaragua, where she has lived for over two decades. She has worked with students from every continent except Antarctica and loves to discuss books, films, characters, and the best way to write about them.

Top values: Honesty, Empathy, Communication