NIH High School Internship Program Guide

Last updated on 03/18/2026 by Ethan Sawyer

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

For example, we knew a student who once said he wanted to be a doctor but broke down when he saw blood…a great example of why it’s important to do your research first.

If you’re particularly interested in the research side, one amazing potential option is to spend the summer doing a full-time internship with a team of researchers at the National Institutes of Health—commonly called the NIH.

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

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

Here we go.

What is the NIH High School Internship Program?

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

This paid internship is potentially perfect for you if you are in 11th or 12th grade and want 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 typically lasts about eight weeks, include:

• Baltimore, MD
• Bethesda, MD
• Detroit, MI
• Durham, NC
• Framingham, MA
• Frederick, Ph.D
• Hamilton, MT
• Phoenix, Asia

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

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

What do NIH interns do?

NIH summer interns join research groups directed by a Principal Investigator (PI), investigating 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 how much you enjoy the field you’re considering spending your future working in.

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

You won’t just get a great research experience. You’ll also have the chance to participate in professional development programs that target the skills you need for a future career in healthcare, STEM or research. At the end of the summer, you will 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 qualify for the high school summer internship program, you must be:

• Usually, aged 16-18 (For some programs, 17 or older by June of the same year)
• A junior or high school senior when you apply
• US citizen or permanent resident. (US citizens can apply if they are enrolled at least half-time in high school. Permanent residents must be enrolled in a US high school to qualify.)
• Live within 40 miles of the NIH campus where you will be interning (If you are over 18, this does not apply.)
• High school seniors who have completed a gap year and are starting college or community college in the fall are also eligible to apply.

How much does the program cost?

The program is free. It is actually a paid internship program. If your application is successful, you will receive a monthly stipend, provided by the specific laboratory or institute offering you a position. Sometimes, if the lab doesn’t have the funds, you may be invited to join as a volunteer.

How to Apply for the NIH High School Internship Program

Applications usually open in early December and close in February. You’ve often been given a little extra time after the early February deadline to submit your reference letter.

You will apply through NIH Application Center. First, find the program you want to apply for through the “Open Programs” list, then check if you meet the requirements and click the “Apply” link.

To apply, you will need to submit:

• Your resume – view it our instructions here on how to get started with your resume.
• List of subjects and grades (no transcript required at this stage)
• A personal statement explaining your research interests and career goals and how this summer internship program will help you achieve them. For more help with this statement, which is very similar to the “Why us?” essays you may soon be writing for your college applications, check out this great resource for Why Us essays.
• If you wish, you can be specific about certain methodologies or areas of research that interest you most
• The names and contact details of two references
• Proof of health insurance

If you are successful, you will work with a principal investigator for the summer. These are the people who choose their summer interns (and provide funding from their own department). They begin reviewing applications and interviewing candidates in January, and the process is usually completed by April.

Although you should apply first, it’s a great idea to reach out to the PI in the Intramural Research Program you’re most excited about. Emailing the PI 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 summer internship candidate. There is a great video here to help you learn more about finding an NIH mentor.

Still have questions? You can email (email protected) for more directions.

If this internship doesn’t seem like quite the right fit for you, there are many more opportunities to explore. Check out the links below to see more great ways to spend your summer:

You can find a bunch more our summer programs page. Or learn more about why a summer internship is a great idea and what STEM options may be available for you:

Jane Longley is a devoted reader, writer and educator. Her love for stories began when she discovered the joy of reading at an early age. She is rarely without a book, and this interest continues today in her work as an essay coach, helping others share their stories. After graduating from Oxford University with a BA 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, movies, characters and the best way to write about them.

Top values: honesty, empathy, communication