NIH Summer Internship Program

To apply for the NIH SIP, and SIP subprograms, you must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. In addition, you must be one of the following:

• 18 years old by September 30, 2026. If you are a graduating high school senior who will be 17 years old as of June 1, 2026 but will turn 18 by September 30, 2026, your permanent home address must be located within 40 miles of an NIH campus.

AND, one of the following:

• enrolled at least half-time as a senior in high school at the time of application and have graduated high school before the start of the internship.
• 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,
• accepted into an accredited graduate program for the fall semester with the expectation of attending at least half-time. High school graduates that have completed a single 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.