Summer Internship Program in Biomedical Research

The Summer Internship Program in Biomedical Research provides students at all levels the opportunity to perform biomedical research alongside some of the world's most accomplished scientists. The program immerses students in a unique environment devoted to better-understanding the underlying causes of human genetic disease, leading to the development of novel methods for the detection, prevention and treatment of heritable and genetic disorders.

In addition to the training and mentoring that the student receives in the laboratory, students in the program attend the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Summer Seminar Series, which is intended to increase the breadth of the student's experience. In this series, world-class researchers present the latest findings in biomedical and clinical research, at a level geared towards advanced high school and college students. The National Human Genome Research Institute also conducts its own Summer Seminar Series, with an emphasis on career development and mentoring. At the end of the summer, students have the opportunity to present their work at the annual NIH Summer Research Program Poster Day. This very important component of the Summer Internship Program allows the students to get feedback regarding their summer experience, as well as to meet investigators and scientists from other NIH Institutes.

Students earn a monthly stipend, depending on their educational level. Students are responsible for travel expenses and making their own housing arrangements. Information on local housing options is provided to all students upon their admission to the Summer Internship Program.

To be eligible for the Summer Internship Program, students must be:

• Enrolled at least half-time in high school or college. Graduating high school seniors must provide a letter of admission from the college that they will be attending the following fall.
• Citizens or permanent residents of the United States.
• At least 16 years of age.

Application Process

The application deadline for the Summer Internship Program is March 1 of each year. Please note that applications are considered on a rolling basis, and selections are made throughout the open application period. All interested students are strongly encouraged to apply well in advance of the March 1 deadline.

All applications for the Summer Internship Program are handled centrally by the NIH Office of Intramural Training and Education. Please visit their website, at www.training.nih.gov/programs/sip, to learn more about this program and submit an online application. When applying, be sure to select the National Human Genome Research Institute as your preferred Institute/Center at the bottom of the application page.

Once you have completed the application process, please send an e-mail to nhgritraining@mail.nih.gov so that we can follow-up on your application in a timely fashion. When contacting us, be sure to indicate that you have applied to the "Summer Internship Program."

A Summer Intern's Story

NIH summer student alum wins Best Graduate Student Presentation award

Keolu Fox, a 2010 alumnus of the National Human Genome Research Institute Diversity Action program, has taken big steps towards his dream of opening a genome center in Hawaii. His drive and ambition were recognized at the 2011 annual conference of the Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS), an organization that fosters the success of Hispanic/Chicano and Native American scientists. (Read more)

Contact Information

E-mail: nhgritraining@mail.nih.gov

Top of page

Last Updated: April 9, 2012