Health Communications Internship Program

The National Cancer Institute (NCI), the largest of the 27 institutes and centers comprising the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is the Federal Government's principal agency for cancer research and training. The NCI coordinates the National Cancer Program, which conducts and supports research, training, health information dissemination, and other programs with respect to the cause, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cancer, rehabilitation from cancer, and the continuing care of cancer patients and the families of cancer patients.

The NCI recognizes that health information dissemination is key to raising public awareness about new cancer treatments, support for cancer patients and their families, and prevention strategies. To that end, in 1975 the NCI established the Health Communications Internship Program (HCIP) to attract individuals interested in careers in health communications and science writing.

The HCIP gives highly qualified graduate students and recent graduate degree recipients the opportunity to participate in vital health and science communications projects in one of the many offices that make up the NCI. Interns will select an area of emphasis: health communications or science writing. Six-month and one-year internship terms are offered.

Successful health communications applicants have some science background as well as experience and/or education in any of the following areas: public health, epidemiology, public relations, health education, communications, science writing, statistics, social marketing, or journalism. Health communications interns:

Plan, develop, and promote cancer education programs and materials (including Web-based) for the public, cancer patients, or health professionals
Gain experience in pre-testing and evaluating cancer prevention and treatment messages, publications, materials, and programs that reach the American public
Participate in professional meetings and training seminars

Successful science writing applicants have a science background plus experience in public relations and/or news writing with the ability to translate technical information into copy suitable for a lay audience. Science writing interns:

Write fact sheets and press releases
Answer inquiries from the press
Attend and report on scientific meetings
Participate in professional meetings and training seminars

The NIH main campus is located in Bethesda, Maryland. HCIP interns are placed in offices located in Bethesda or Rockville, Maryland. Both locations are accessible via public transportation.

To sign up to be notified when the next HCIP application cycle begins, click here