National Institutes of Health (NIH)

About the scholarship

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) offer a number of highly competitive internships and scholarships for current and recently-matriculated undergraduated students interested in biomedical research.

The NIH conducts a Summer Internship Program (SIP) in biomedical research. As part of this internship program, students work one-on-one with an eminent scientist for at least 8 weeks, usually beginning in May, on the main campus of the NIH (located in Bethesda, MD). Successful applicants are provided a stipend. For more information on this program and the application procedure, please visit the SIP website.

The NIH’s Undergraduate Scholarship Program (UGSP) offers scholarships to students from disadvantaged backgrounds who express an interest in a career in biomedical, behavioral, or social science-related research. This scholarship program provides up to $20,000.00 per academic year to cover costs such as tuition and certain educational and living expenses. For more information on this program and the application procedure, please consult the UGSP website.

The NIH Postbaccalaureate Intramural Research Training Award/Cancer Research Training Award (Postbac IRTA/CRTA) provides recent college graduates an opportunity to conduct research for a 1-2 year period at the NIH. This program is intended for students planning to seek an advanced degree in a biomedical field of study such as medicine, dentistry, or pharmacy. For more information on this program and its eligibility requirements and application procedure, please visit the Postbac IRTA/CRTA website.

Who should apply

U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are at least 16 years of age and currently enrolled in school at least part-time are eligible to apply for the SIP in biomedical research. Undergraduates who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, enrolled as a full-time student at an accredited 4-year institution, in good academic standing (GPA of 3.3 or higher or within the top 5 percent of their graduating class), and have "exceptional financial need" are eligible to apply for the UGSP. Finally, eligibility for the Postbac IRTA/CRTA Program is reserved for recent college graduates intending to apply to graduate or professional school during the program.