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Research Training

Summer Internship Program (SIP)

This program is available to:

An opportunity for students in college, graduate, and professional school to perform a summer research internship in the Intramural Research Program at the NIH.

On this page

About this program

This program is for college, graduate and professional students interested in exploring careers in research and healthcare. These are full-time research positions within one of the NIH Institutes and Centers (IC) in the NIH Intramural Research Program. Research groups are located on all NIH campuses, including the main campus in Bethesda, MD.

Summer interns work in a research groups directed by a Principal Investigator (PI). We offer research opportunities in the biomedical, behavioral, and social sciences with opportunities to explore basic, translational, and clinical research. Students interested in biology, engineering, epidemiology, psychology, mathematics, chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, nursing, physics, computer science, bioinformatics, and other health-related fields are invited to apply. Summer interns may not work in administrative offices or outside of the NIH IRP.

In addition to an intensive research experience, our summer interns have access to:

We also sponsor a Graduate and Professional School Fair in July and Summer Poster Day in early August, where our interns share their research with the NIH community.

Diversity and inclusion

Diversity strengthens our community. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and strongly encourage applications from individuals:

  • from racial and ethnic groups that have been underrepresented in biomedical research and healthcare fields
  • with disabilities
  • who are/were Pell Grant-eligible in college
  • who are/were enrolled in Tribal Colleges and Universities, community colleges, Hispanic-serving institutions, or Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
  • who identify as LGBTQ+
  • disadvantaged by life circumstances that have negatively impacted their educational opportunities.

SIP cohort programs

Our goal is to support diverse students to enter careers in research and healthcare. To help us achieve this, we sponsor summer cohort programs.

Summer interns in these programs  have access to all resources of the broader SIP program and also participate in orientation, leadership, professional development,  and well-being programs as part of a cohort or  learning community. The curriculum of each cohort program is tailored to the educational needs of the group. The OITE provides funding and works with interns in these programs on an appropriate research group placement.  The OITE sponsors the following SIP cohort experiences:

  • CCSEP for students in community college
  • C-SOAR for college students who have limited access to research opportunities during the school year
  • V-SOAR for college students who are not able to come to an NIH campus
  • GDSSP for master’s students in data science
  • M-SOAR for medical students interested in translational science

Some ICs also sponsor SIP programs - find them on the additional summer programs page.

Eligibility criteria

To apply for the NIH SIP, and SIP cohort programs, you must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. In addition, you must be:

  • 18 years of age or older on June 1, 2025

AND

  • currently enrolled at least half-time as a senior in high school,

OR

  • enrolled at least half-time in an accredited community college, college, or university as an undergraduate, graduate, or professional school student at the time of application,

OR

  • accepted into an accredited graduate program for the fall semester with the expectation of attending at least half-time. High school graduates who completed a gap year and are starting community college or college in the fall, are also eligible to apply.

Individuals who are U.S. permanent residents must be attending or have been accepted into educational institutions in the U.S.

Applicants with a family member working at NIH should be aware of the strict nepotism policy, which may limit your ability to work in certain NIH institutes, centers, or research groups.

Attend an upcoming information session

Stipend and other compensation

Stipends for summer interns are adjusted annually and are based on educational level. There is free parking on each NIH campus; summer interns on some campuses may be eligible to participate in the Transhare program.

All summer interns must present proof of health insurance to participate in the program.

Before you apply

The decision to come to the NIH as a summer intern is an important one.  These are full-time research positions, and it is not possible to take summer classes or tend to other responsibilities during work hours.

Research groups are located on several different NIH campuses, including the main campus in Bethesda, MD. Before you begin your application, we encourage you to learn more about:

We also encourage you to learn more about:

Watch this video before applying. It talks about the program and provides a framework for deciding if the program is right for you. It also discusses the application process and provides information on finding appropriate research groups.

If you decide the NIH SIP is right for you, pay careful attention to our extensive FAQs to support you in the application process.

How to apply

Opening and closing dates

The SIP application is now open.

The SIP application will close February 19, 2025, at noon ET.
SIP reference letters are due February 26, 2025, at noon ET.

You greatly increase your chances of getting a position by completing your application and reaching out to potential research groups by mid-January.

Complete your application

You must use the NIH Application Center to apply for this program.

  1. Complete your NIH Application Center profile. Any information submitted to the profile will be stored for use on future applications. (Your profile is NOT the application.)
  2. Indicate that you are interested in applying to ‘Summer internships.’
  3. Find the program you want to apply for in the ‘Open Programs’ list. Complete the Eligibility Screener.
  4. If you are eligible, use the ‘Apply’ link to begin your application.
  5. Import any relevant information from your profile. You must also submit:
  • Coursework - a list of all coursework and grades
  • CV/Resume - a list of your education, experience, and other relevant history
  • Personal Statement - a statement broadly describing your research experience, current research interests, and career goals as well as how the Summer Internship Program (SIP) would help you achieve your goals.
  • References – Enter the names and contact information of two references. Note that your references will receive a request to submit a letter of recommendation after you submit your application.

Review all of your materials carefully before you submit your application.

Start your application

Selection process

There is no centralized selection process; applications are reviewed by individual Principal Investigators (PIs) who select their own summer interns and provide the funding to support them. PIs begin interviewing candidates and offering positions in early January and the selection process is completed by April 1. Successful candidates will be informed by their PI and on-boarding paperwork will be done by the hiring IC.

Remember that the application and selection process for OITE and IC programs may differ, so read information specific to programs that interest you.

Contact NIH Principal Investigators

Please read our recommendations on finding mentors in the Intramural Research Program, which provide important information on how to find research groups and factors to be aware of as you interview and consider positions.

To be considered for a SIP position, you should reach out to NIH Principal Investigators (PIs) and direct them to your completed application.

  1. Search databases and develop a list of PIs in the Intramural Research Program whose work interests you. Note that PIs may reach out to you to see if you are interested in working in their group.
  2. Send personalized emails to PIs expressing interesting in their research group and highlighting why you are a strong candidate for their program.
  3. Interview, virtually or in-person.

Watch the How to Find an NIH Research Mentor video on the OITE YouTube channel.

Have questions?

Check out our extensive frequently asked questions list to support you in the application process.

Contact

Reach out to us at SIP@nih.gov.