NIA Summer Internship Programs: The application period for Summer 2023 has closed. Applications for Summer 2024 will open in November 2023.
Closed for Summer 2023
STAR - Summer Trainee in Aging Research Program
The NIA Summer Internship Program, with over 25 years of history, offers unique opportunities for high school, college, graduate, and medical students, to develop skills in scientific research. In this program, based in Baltimore, Maryland, students receive hands-on research experience.
Summer Program Contacts
For questions about the NIA Summer Internship Program program, please contact:
Ms. Arlene Jackson, Recruitment Specialist
Email: jacksona@nia.nih.gov
Phone: 410-558-8121
Ms. Taya Dunn Johnson, Assistant to the NIA Deputy Scientific Director
Email: dunnt@mail.nih.gov
Phone: 667-205-2215
About the Program
NIA summer internships last from eight to ten weeks, beginning in late May and ending in mid-to-late August. Students receive hands-on experience and attend weekly seminars presented by NIA scientists. At the conclusion of the summer program, students present their data developed from their research project at the NIA Summer Student Poster Day. Program participants receive a stipend which is based on the amount of education completed at the time the fellowship begins.
The Diversity in Aging Research Pipeline Program (DARPP) is a multi-entry pipeline program to develop and expose underrepresented minorities and socioeconomically disadvantaged students to aging research. Students will participate in ongoing NIH Training Programs to enter the pipeline and receive training from an NIA/IRP scientists in a highly mentored, structured environment. Long-term support and follow through will be provided to students as they matriculate through the various levels of education.
The SAILS Camp is a three-day training program designed specifically for High School 9th to 11th graders. The Camp will include lectures and interactive activities to help you develop the skills you need to be successful in science and learn about research and the exciting work being done at NIA.
“My experience at the NIA has been blossoming not only my science intellect but also my communication with others, mental wellness and self-confidence."
— Sarah Zoeteman, Summer 2022
“Working at the NIA has been a wonderful opportunity to confirm what I already enjoy about science, while also introducing me to new ideas and research skills that I will carry with me throughout the rest of my life.”
— Daniel Gai, Summer 2022
Eligibility and Application Process
To be eligible for this program, students must be enrolled at least half-time in an accredited U.S. high school, college, or university. Summer interns must be seventeen by June 15th of the internship year. Individuals who are in high school must meet two additional criteria: they must be either juniors or seniors, and, if they will not be eighteen by June 15th of the internship year, they must, at the time of application, reside within 40 miles of the NIH campus on which they hope to intern. Some flexibility exists to accommodate individual student needs.
*note* If you plan to apply to any of the NIH subprograms (CCSEP,C-SOAR, V-SOAR, AMGEN, G-SOAR, GDSSP and M-SOAR) your application will be held exclusively by that program and NOT available for the NIA to review/view until that program has made its selections. Given our timeline for selecting students, this may cause you to miss an opportunity with the NIA.
The application period for the NIH Summer Internship Program (SIP) for Summer 2023 is now open. A complete description of the program requirements and application is available on the NIH OITE Training Website. In addition, the eligibility criteria, selection process, and the nature of the summer program for high school interns can be found on the High School SIP (HS-SIP) webpage.
Living and Working in Baltimore
The Biomedical Research Center, where NIA Summer Interns will be developing their skills in NIA labs, is located on the Johns Hopkins Bayview campus in Baltimore. Program contacts are available to provide general, unbiased opinions. Email is the best way to discuss housing concerns. We will provide as much information as possible. Our comments are not intended for advertising or other promotional purposes, nor does it represent an endorsement or guarantee by the National Institutes of Health of the availability, price, or condition of any of the listings. Contact information for program staff is listed above.