Recruitment Pause
The NIH Intramural Program has paused the recruitment of IRTAs, CRTAs, and Visiting Fellows in all training programs pending guidance from Health and Human Services. Please check back daily for updates.
Summer research training at NIAID is available through the Summer Internship Program (SIP). Summer programs offer students the opportunity to conduct research at the forefront of immunologic, allergic, and infectious diseases in NIAID laboratories located in Maryland and Montana (Rocky Mountain Laboratories in Hamilton). Summer interns spend a minimum of eight consecutive weeks performing full-time biomedical research in basic, translational, and clinical research areas under the guidance and direction of an NIAID principal investigator. Interns participate and engage with other trainees and scientists in a wide variety of research and professional development events during their time at NIH. The summer internship program strives to offer a stimulating and highly rewarding experience for interns, with the aim of encouraging students to pursue a career in biomedical research.
Read more about the Division of Intramural Research and the Vaccine Research Center. Find more information about the summer internship programs from the NIH Office of Intramural Training and Education (OITE).
Who Can Apply
Applicants must:
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Individuals who are U.S. permanent residents must be attending or have been accepted into institutions in the United States
- Be 18 years of age or older on June 1 of the internship year
In addition, applicants must meet one of the following criteria at the time of application:
- Be a current high school senior
- Be a high school graduate and have been accepted into an accredited college or university program in the following fall semester
- Be a current undergraduate, master’s, Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent graduate degree student
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.
Note: Please refer to OITE for more details.
Background Check
Please note any fellowship offer is contingent on your ability to successfully pass a federal background check, which is required for logical and physical access to NIH facilities and systems. As part of the clearance process, you will be asked “In the last year, have you used, possessed, supplied, or manufactured illegal drugs?” This question pertains to the use of controlled substances or drugs as defined under federal law. Please be aware that while marijuana may be legal or decriminalized within your home jurisdiction it remains illegal under U.S. federal law. The use, possession, supply, or manufacture of marijuana may preclude you from obtaining the necessary clearances to participate in NIH intramural training programs, even if you were initially offered a position. If you have questions about this policy or would like guidance on the clearance process, please reach out to oite@nih.gov (please put “Eligibility Inquiry” in the subject line).
How To Apply
- Prospective summer interns must apply online through the OITE application portal. The application period opens in mid-November and closes mid-February.
- After submitting your application, contact NIAID investigators with whom you would like to work. Read the OITE guide on Finding an NIH Mentor before reaching out to prospective mentors.
- Watch “Applying Successfully to the NIH Summer Internship (SIP)"
- Explore research conducted in NIAID laboratories
For specific questions, contact the NIAID Office of Research Training & Development.
Stipend Information
Stipend levels for trainees are published annually and determined based on experience. For details, see NIH Student IRTA Stipend levels.
What It's Like to Train at NIAID
Explore NIAID Labs
Learn about the principal investigators and how their research supports NIAID's mission.
NIAID Laboratories:
Hear from Trainees
Hear from trainees about why they chose to conduct research at NIAID.
Contact Information
For specific questions, contact the NIAID Office of Research Training & Development.