What Is The NIH Summer Internship For High Schoolers?
The NIH (National Institute of Health) Summer High School Internship is not only a college resume builder to be stacked on top, but also a journey that will help students grow their knowledge and passion for healthcare through research.
In this blog post, we will share all the information to know about NIH Summer Internship, as well as how to apply!
Who is NIH?
The National Institute of Health is a part of the U.S. Department of Health! Additionally, it is the nation’s official medical research agency that makes discoveries to save lives.
This agency is mainly centered around research in 27 institutes/campuses
This makes the NIH Summer Internship no joke, however with such big names and experienced staff, the Summer High School internship is highly competitive.
What is the NIH Summer Internship?
The NIH Summer internship can be described as:
An internship where students work side by side with professional scientists and researchers.
Research opportunities in biomedical, behavioral, and social sciences with opportunities to explore basic, translational, and clinical research.
Students are placed into small research groups under the supervision of Principal Investigators
Programs available in all 27 NIH institutes across the country.
In this program, students reach a level of academic excellence and maturity through doing research and developing a relationship between biology and research through applied knowledge.
Students spend a summer (8 weeks) researching, asking questions, and building relationships with leading scientists.
Diversity and Inclusion
Similar to many summer internships/programs, NIH strongly encourages students from all backgrounds to apply with an aim to widen the diversity of students.
An example of diversity could be:
People of ethnic groups who are underrepresented in the medical field.
Students who identify as LGBTQ+
Students who are negatively affected by life circumstances.
Project Investigators in Internship
Project Investigators (PI) are the research mentors at NIH, or the people who direct research projects. There are over 1,200 PIs at NIH, and these people are essential in your summer internship. These PI’s are the people students will be conducting research with!
It is crucial to think about what topics students are interested in learning about before applying for the program to show academic direction to the application committee. However, students should NOT reach out to Project Investigators for opportunities. Here is a list of scientific focus areas in NIH.
Hands on Professional Experience
Securing an internship and being under a professional's wing is any science majors dream, and is one of the most memorable and crucial teaching lessons for students to get into research. Not only will students have access and learn how to use advanced research equipment, but they will set students up for the future!
Resume Building
An important part of college applications is standing above the masses, which is extremely challenging for highschool students. The competition is tough and without the right direction for research, most students won’t stand out. However, this internship will set students up to get ahead of their peers by applying skills and knowledge through research and equipment.
The NIH Summer Internship is by all means not going to get students into college by itself, however the relationships between students and leading scientists can set up other opportunities in the future to grow passion.
NIH Summer Institute Application Process
The NIH Summer Institute is a great program with mentorships, research projects, and immense resume building opportunities. However, as was mentioned before, this makes the program immensely competitive and hard to get in.
Eligibility Criteria
The requirements for students to apply for the program are that:
Be 17 years of age or older on June 15, 2024.
Be enrolled in a highschool.
Have to be under 18 by June 15 and live within 40 miles of the NIH campus that you will intern in.
Be a US citizen.
Opening and Closing Dates
Summer internship applications are currently open.
The HS-SIP application closes on Friday, February 16, 2024 at noon ET.
Reference letters are due before Friday, February 23, 2024 at noon ET.
Components of Application
Coursework & Exams - a list of coursework and grades in HS.
CV/Resume - a list of your education, experience, and other relevant history.
References - the names and contact information of two references
Letter/Statement - a cover letter broadly describing your prior research experiences, your current interests, career goals, and why you want to intern at NIH.
Click here to start the application process.
Closing Thoughts about NIH Summer Internship High School
The NIH Summer High School Internship offers an exceptional platform for students to delve into impactful research, collaborate with seasoned scientists, and lay the groundwork for their academic and professional pursuits.
However, with an acceptance rate of only about 7%, it is crucial for students to recognize the competitiveness of the program and consider exploring alternative internship opportunities.
While the NIH Summer Institute for Highschool students is unquestionably a prestigious and excellent opportunity, students should think about other paths for their summer!
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