High School & Undergraduate Training
High school and undergraduate training opportunities are listed below. Applications may be due months in advance.
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Find a Mentor
Before you apply for a position, review NIDDK Labs and Branches and identify potential faculty whose research interests align with your goals. Consider contacting faculty directly to discuss your interest in a position at NIDDK. Read tips for finding the right mentor.
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Why Choose NIDDK for your Fellowship?
NIDDK fellows have access to additional support, funding, and professional development opportunities.
NIH Summer Internship Program in Biomedical Research (SIP) for High School Students (short duration summer IRTAs)
NIDDK Contact: NIDDK Fellowship Office
Purpose: The program provides a developmental training experience to promising high school students who have expressed a strong interest in or are studying disciplines related to biomedical sciences.
Eligibility: Applicants must be
- 17 years of age or older
- high school juniors or seniors at the time of application
- U.S. citizens or permanent residents
- within 40 miles of the NIH campus on which they will intern if they will be 17 years of age (this requirement does not apply to applicants who are 18 and older)
Each NIH Institute or Center (IC) is responsible for establishing its own policy on the granting of fellowships to students who are relatives of IC employees. However, in no case may trainees receive a training assignment in a lab or branch where a relative has authority for resource allocation decisions.
For minors under 18 years of age, if required by state or local government law, work permits must be obtained. A written agreement of a parent or guardian is also required.
Restrictions published by the Department of Labor must be followed regarding assignments that may be hazardous or detrimental to the health and well-being of students.
Background Check: In order to be approved for logical and physical access to NIH facilities and systems, candidates must be able to pass a Federal background check, using Standard Form-85 (read SF-85 (PDF, 204 KB) ). NOTE: Section 14 of the form asks “In the last year, have you used, possessed, supplied, or manufactured illegal drugs?” The question pertains to the illegal use of drugs or controlled substances in accordance with Federal laws, even though permissible under state laws.
Length of Award: Short duration during the summer only
NIH Summer Internship Program in Biomedical Research (SIP) for Undergraduate and Graduate Students (short duration summer IRTAs)
NIDDK Contact: NIDDK Fellowship Office
Purpose: The program provides a developmental training experience to promising undergraduate and graduate students who have expressed a strong interest in or are studying disciplines related to biomedical sciences.
Eligibility: Applicants must be
- 17 years of age or older
- U.S. citizens or permanent residents
- in college (including community college), in graduate/professional school, or high school graduates that have been accepted into accredited college or university programs at the time of application
Each NIH Institute or Center (IC) is responsible for establishing its own policy on the granting of fellowships to students who are relatives of IC employees. However, in no case may trainees receive a training assignment in a lab or branch where a relative has authority for resource allocation decisions.
For minors under 18 years of age, if required by state or local government law, work permits must be obtained. A written agreement of a parent or guardian is also required.
Restrictions published by the Department of Labor must be followed regarding assignments that may be hazardous or detrimental to the health and well-being of students.
Background Check: In order to be approved for logical and physical access to NIH facilities and systems, candidates must be able to pass a Federal background check, using Standard Form-85 (read SF-85 (PDF, 204 KB) ). NOTE: Section 14 of the form asks “In the last year, have you used, possessed, supplied, or manufactured illegal drugs?” The question pertains to the illegal use of drugs or controlled substances in accordance with Federal laws, even though permissible under state laws.
Length of Award: Short duration during the summer only
NIDDK Diversity Summer Research Training Program
NIDDK Contact: Winnie Martinez
Purpose: Program highlights include
- independent research in an NIH laboratory
- weekly research and career development seminars
- summer seminar series where senior NIH investigators discuss the latest developments in biomedical research
- poster presentation
- courses in Ethics in Research and Lab Safety
- students will be paired with postbaccalaureates or postdoctoral fellows for informal guidance
- bi-weekly informal meetings with Diversity Programs staff
Eligibility: This program is specific to undergraduate students underrepresented in biomedical and behavioral research, including African American, Hispanic American, Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiians, and other Pacific Islanders.
Applicants must have
- completed at least 1 year at an accredited institution
- U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status
- a minimum 3.0 GPA
Background Check: In order to be approved for logical and physical access to NIH facilities and systems, candidates must be able to pass a Federal background check, using Standard Form-85 (read SF-85 (PDF, 204 KB) ). NOTE: Section 14 of the form asks “In the last year, have you used, possessed, supplied, or manufactured illegal drugs?” The question pertains to the illegal use of drugs or controlled substances in accordance with Federal laws, even though permissible under state laws.
Length of Award: 10 weeks, starting in June through mid-August
Undergraduate Scholarship Program
Purpose: The program offers competitive scholarships to students who display exceptional financial need and who are committed to careers in biomedical, behavioral, and social science health-related research. The program offers paid research training at the NIH during the summer and paid employment and training at the NIH after graduation.
Eligibility:
Applicants must
- be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a full-time student at an accredited 4-year undergraduate institution located in the United States
- possess an undergraduate GPA of 3.3 or higher on a 4.0-point scale, or within the top 5 percent of your class
- have "exceptional financial need" as certified by your undergraduate institution or financial aid office
Background Check: In order to be approved for logical and physical access to NIH facilities and systems, candidates must be able to pass a Federal background check, using Standard Form-85 (read SF-85 (PDF, 204 KB) ). NOTE: Section 14 of the form asks “In the last year, have you used, possessed, supplied, or manufactured illegal drugs?” The question pertains to the illegal use of drugs or controlled substances in accordance with Federal laws, even though permissible under state laws.
Length of Award: Scholarships are awarded for 1 year and can be renewed up to 4 years. For each full or partial scholarship year, you are committed to two NIH service obligations.