Program Details
Eligibility Requirements
Application Process
Important Dates
Selection Process
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet the following qualifications to be considered eligible for the HCIP:
- US Citizen or US permanent resident (Alien Registration number is required for US permanent residents).
- Currently enrolled in, or a recent graduate of, graduate school. If a recent graduate, graduate degree must have been awarded no more than one year prior to application deadline.
- Undergraduate GPA of 2.75 (minimum) for applicants who have not yet received a Master's degree.
- Some science background and experience and/or education in any of the following areas:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Public Relations
- Health Education
- Communications
- Science Writing
- Statistics
- Social Marketing
- Journalism
If you do not the meet eligibility criteria, visit http://www.training.nih.gov/ for information on NIH's training programs.
Back to Top of Page
Application Process
There are two internship terms per year: Spring (January to July) and Fall (July to December). Applications for the Spring term are due by midnight on the first Tuesday in September; applications for the Fall term are due by midnight on the first Tuesday in March.
Upon completion of your electronic application, you will receive an e-mail requesting the following:
- A current resume. Electronic copies preferred.
- Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts. Request transcripts early as it can take longer than expected for them to be sent by your school.
- Up to three writing samples. PDF copies preferred.
- Your references will receive an electronic request to submit a letter of recommendation. They will not receive this request until your application has been submitted. They can prepare the letter in advance if they wish and then copy and paste it into the web form provided in the reference request email.
Materials will be kept on file and cannot be returned to the applicant.
Note that all materials should be copy-ready, i.e., single-sided with no staples. Paper clips are fine. When submitting writing samples, please limit the length of each sample to no more than 20 pages. Use excerpts, if necessary, and indicate that they excerpts. Resumes and writing samples may be submitted electronically to HCIP-Contact@mail.nih.gov.
Each candidate is responsible for ensuring that their application is complete prior to the deadline, including reference letters.
Back to Top of Page
Important Dates
| First Tuesday in March | Deadline for Fall term applications and all supporting materials (reference letters are due Friday of that week) |
| mid-April | Fall applicants are notified of their status |
| mid-July | Fall term begins |
| First Tuesday in September | Deadline for Spring term applications and all supporting materials (reference letters are due Friday of that week) |
| mid-October | Spring applicants are notified of their status |
| mid-January | Spring term begins |
Back to Top of Page
Selection Process
The selection process takes four to six weeks from the application deadline.
- The HCIP reviews applications to ensure eligibility requirements are met and forwards all eligible applications to the NCI program offices seeking to host an HCIP intern.
- Program offices review applications and contact applicants whose interests and background fit the needs of the office. Program offices conduct telephone interviews with applicants.
- Program offices submit names of applicants who they are interested in hiring to the HCIP.
- Applicants are notified via email of the selection decision.
Back to Top of Page
