The OSP Summer Internship Program provides an opportunity for undergraduate, graduate, and/or professional students to gain tangible science policy experience in support of the NIH mission. Interns will work side-by-side with leading policy experts to learn strategies for advancing national science and technology policy and obtain practical experience in policy analyses and development. OSP will be hosting interns for an 8-12 week period beginning in May or June 2024. Interns will receive a stipend commensurate with their level of education.

Individuals from racial and ethnic groups that have been underrepresented in health-related sciences; students with disabilities; students who are enrolled in Tribal Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, or Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); students who identify as LGBTQ+; and individuals disadvantaged by circumstances that have negatively impacted their educational opportunities, including recent natural disasters, are encouraged to apply.

All internship offers are contingent on an individual’s ability to successfully pass a federal background check, which is required for access to NIH systems. As part of the clearance process, individuals will be asked questions about a variety of topics including citizenship, criminal history, and other personal information.

Positions Available for 2024 NIH OSP Summer Internship Program

• OSP Science Policy Coordination, Collaboration, and Reporting Division: This intern would work with the Division to compile, coordinate, and develop materials for Congressional documents and reporting, including the annual Congressional Justification. The intern would assist in coordinating with various NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices to compile materials about exciting scientific advances funded across the NIH. This position would also involve working with subject matter experts across OSP on other legislative-related activities, including the development of materials for the NIH Director and requests for technical assistance on Congressional language.

• OSP Clinical and Healthcare Research Policy Division: This intern would work with the Division on efforts to further develop a research participant-centered clinical research enterprise. The intern could assist with a variety of projects related to protections for research participants, effectiveness of clinical trials, or use of biospecimens or data in research. An example project may be informing a policy framework for deidentified biospecimens to support NIH’s commitment to the respect and autonomy of research participants. The intern would collect information on current biospecimen policies and practices, identify commonalities and differences, and provide an assessment on next steps for NIH. The intern would also have an opportunity to learn about and contribute to the Division’s ongoing work to advance other aspects of clinical research and emerging areas such as digital health and real world data to support biomedical research.

• OSP Technology Transfer and Innovation Policy Division: This intern would work with the Division Director on cross-cutting policy efforts that support a broad range of innovation initiatives, promote equitable access to the fruits of NIH-funded research, and help the agency fulfill its mission of promoting the application of knowledge to enhance human health. The intern could assist with a variety of projects that include efforts to understand how biomedical innovators learn about their customers, and how NIH promotes and might help bolster innovation that centers patient and public health outcomes. Another project could include researching approaches that various institutions are taking to advance diversity and inclusion in innovation to develop a summary and “catalog” of approaches being taken or suggestions from the literature of other programs that public sector research institutions can consider.

Applications will be accepted until February 12, 2024