Student Opportunities

Registered Students at NIH are offered a wide range of research training programs aimed at enhancing a student’s knowledge and understanding of biomedical research while contributing to the achievement of an individual’s educational goals. Student Opportunities are available through the following four programs:

  • Summer Internship Program (SIP) in Biomedical Research
  • Undergraduate Scholarship Program (UGSP)
  • Other Summer Programs at the NIH
  • Pathways for Students and Recent Graduates

Summer Internship Program (SIP) in Biomedical Research

Administered by OITE

For high school, undergraduate, and graduate students who have expressed a strong interest in or are studying disciplines related to biomedical sciences. Although most of a student’s time is spent in the laboratory, students are invited to participate in numerous special activities offered on the NIH campus. During the summer months the NIH Office of Intramural Training and Education (OITE) organizes special events, such as the Summer Seminar Series, in which leading NIH scientists present the results of their work on the frontiers of biomedical research, and Poster Day, which takes place at the end of the summer and provides students the opportunity to present their research findings to the NIH scientific community. Students are required to take the Laboratory Safety course, and the Radiation Safety course, if working with radioactive materials). For information regarding the policies and procedures for applying to the SIP, please visit the OITE Summer Internship Program in Biomedical Research page.

Undergraduate Scholarship Program (UGSP)

Administered by OITE

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Undergraduate Scholarship Program (UGSP) offers competitive scholarships to students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are committed to careers in biomedical, behavioral, and social science health-related research. The program offers:

  • Scholarship support
  • Paid research training at the NIH during the summer
  • Paid employment and training at the NIH after graduation

For information regarding the policies and procedures for applying to the UGSP, please visit the OITE Undergraduate Scholarship Program page.

Other Summer Programs at the NIH

Administered by OITE and specified ICs

For more information on other summer programs that are offered through OITE or various ICs, as well as application details, please visit the OITE Other Summer Programs at the NIH pages.

Pathways for Students and Recent Graduates

Administered by NIH OHR, Client Services Division, Global Recruitment Unit

  • NIH Internship Program is for current students in an accredited high school, college (including 4-year colleges/universities, community colleges, and junior colleges); professional, technical, vocational, and trade school; advanced degree programs; or other qualifying educational institution pursuing a qualifying degree or certificate. For more information, please visit the Jobs@NIH Internship Program page.
  • NIH Recent Graduates Program is for recent graduates who have completed, within the previous two years, a qualifying associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution. For more information, please visit the Jobs@NIH Recent Graduates page.
  • NIH Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program is for individuals who have completed a Masters or other professional degree within the last two years. Candidates are assessed by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), and apply to work at NIH after they are named a PMF Finalist. For more information, please visit the NIH Office of Human Resources PMF page.

The Pathways for Students and Recent Graduates programs are generally used for administrative positions, but can be used for scientific positions, as needed.

Most Student Opportunities are non-Full-Time Equivalent Employment (FTE) positions, however the Undergraduate Scholarship Program scholars are appointed as Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) positions.

Approvals (Process)

Approvals for Student appointments is based on the applicable program:

Check Sheets / Checklists

There is currently no Deputy Director for Intramural Research (DDIR) -approved check sheet or checklist for any Student Opportunity designation. Individual ICs may have additional requirements and check sheets. Please contact your Administrative Officer (AO) or HR Specialist for additional guidance.

Additional requirements for Student appointments are based on the specific program:

  • Summer Internship Program
    • Provided by the Student:
      • Resume or CV
      • 2 letters of reference
      • Official copy of school transcript
      • Letter from school verifying academic standing
      • Information on honors and achievement
      • Statement of interest in biomedical research
      • Applications must be submitted online at https://www.training.nih.gov/student/sip/ by March 1 (in most cases) of the year in which they are applying to the SIP
    • Provided by NIH:
      • Sample Notification of Traineeship
      • Statement of IRTA Program Provisions
      • IRTA Traineeship Agreement
      • Sample Notification from Designated IC Program Official
      • For additional information and templates, please refer to Section R and Appendices 6-9 of the NIH Policy Manual 2300-320-7
  • Undergraduate Scholarship Program
  • Other Summer Programs at NIH
  • Pathways for Students and Recent Graduates
    • The CSD Global Recruitment Unit will solicit information on each position you wish to fill that includes: Position Title, Series, Grade(s), IC, Division/Branch, Selection Official/Supervisor, Number of Positions, Duty Location, Priority, and whether or not a “candidate of interest” has been identified.

Ethics

Intramural scientists at the NIH, as is true for all scientists, should be committed to the responsible use of scientific tools and methods to seek new knowledge. While the general principles of scientific methodologies are universal, their detailed application may differ in various scientific disciplines and circumstances. All research staff in the Intramural Research Program should maintain exemplary standards of intellectual honesty in formulating, conducting, presenting, and reviewing research, as befits the leadership role of the NIH.

Within the NIH IRP, the ethical conduct of researchers is governed by the following three disciplines:

Ethics information may also be available through your specific IC. Please contact your Ethics Counselor for additional guidance.

Pay / Compensation

Pay and compensation for Student appointments is based on the applicable program:

  • Summer Internship Program
  • Undergraduate Scholarship Program
  • Other Summer Programs at NIH
  • Pathways for Students and Recent Graduates
    • Individuals are hired as a General Schedule (GS) or Wage Grade (WG). Depending on program and level of experience, Students can be hired at grades 1-9. All individuals are appointed at Step 1 of the grade level for which they are selected.

Recruitment Process / Appointment Mechanisms

Student Recruitment and Appointments is based on the applicable program:

  • Summer Internship Program
    • The appointment mechanism for this program is the Student IRTA. Applicants may apply directly to a specific Principal Investigator or online through the OITE Web site. Designated IC Program Administrative Officials receiving application documents should determine a candidate’s eligibility.
  • Undergraduate Scholarship Program
  • Other Summer Programs at NIH
  • Pathways for Students and Recent Graduates
    • Individuals are hired as a General Schedule (GS) or Wage Grade (WG). The CSD Global Recruitment Team prepares the advertisement and issues the certificate of eligible candidates to the hiring officials.

Renewals

Renewal of student appointments is based on the applicable program:

  • Summer Internship Program
    • All summer appointments end by September 30. If a student wishes to re-apply to the program in a subsequent year, he/she re-competes with all candidates for the position in the upcoming year.
  • Undergraduate Scholarship Program
  • Other Summer Programs at NIH
  • Pathways for Students and Recent Graduates

Resources

Students are not granted independent resources by their Institute.

Termination

Termination of student appointments is based on the applicable program:

This page was last updated on Thursday, July 13, 2023