Graduate Data Science Summer Program (GDSSP)

Diversity strengthens our community. We encourage applications from students who meet the specific UGSP eligibility requirements and who come  from diverse backgrounds, including:

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

This program is designed for recently matriculated master’s students in data science, computational biology, or computer science. To be considered for GDSSP, you must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. In addition, you must:

• Be enrolled for Fall 2025 in a master’s degree program at a university in the U.S., Puerto Rico, or other U.S. territory. If you are applying for Fall 2025 admission, participation in the program will be dependent on successful matriculation into a graduate program.
• Have permission from your graduate school program/university to participate in the program.

GDSSP interns must commit to completing the entire ten-week internship and must be on campus from early June to mid August 2025. Summer internships are full-time positions; interns are expected to devote 40 hours per week to their projects and training.

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.

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.

The decision to come to the NIH as a GDSSP 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 in Maryland, including the main campus in Bethesda, MD. All GDSSP interns are required to attend orientation and Summer Poster Days in-person on the Bethesda campus. Interns whose research groups are on other campuses may participate in some elements of the program virtually. Before you begin your application, we encourage you to learn more about:

• the Intramural Research Program and the mission of each NIH IC
• the various campuses and the specific focus of the work performed there

Opening and closing dates

The GDSSP application is now closed.

The GDSSP selection committee reviews applications and notifies applicants of final decisions in early February.

GDSSP applicants should not directly contact NIH intramural scientists to discuss placements prior to being notified of an admission decision. Once accepted into the program, OITE staff will provide detailed guidance on how to find and select an appropriate research group. All research placements must be finalized by late March in order to complete your acceptance into GDSSP.

Have questions?

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