NIH Summer Internship Program in Biomedical Research (SIP)

On this page:

• Purpose
• NIDDK Contact
• Application Process
• Find a Mentor
• Eligibility
• Length of Award
• Benefits and Services
• Federal Background Check

Purpose

The program provides a developmental training experience to promising high school (18+), undergraduate, and graduate students who have expressed a strong interest in or are studying disciplines related to biomedical sciences. Additional program details are available on the NIH Office of Intramural Training and Education site and NIH summer handbook (PDF, 1.29 MB) .

NIDDK Contact

Contact the NIDDK Summer Internship Program Team before applying to the program.

Application Process

The application will open in early December. After early December, apply to the program by the deadline on the NIH Office of Intramural Training and Education website. In your application, indicate that you are interested in a position in an NIDDK lab.

Find a Mentor

After 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.

Eligibility

Applicants must be

• 18 years of age or older by September 30, 2026
• If 17 years of age by June 1, 2026, your permanent home address must be 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.

All interns must be able to pass a federal background check.

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.

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.

Length of Award

Short duration during the summer (May 13 through August 2)

Benefits and Services

Learn about numerous benefits and services available to trainees in this program.