Governmental Internship Opportunities
Many federal agencies have programs to provide students with research experience in toxicology-related and other environmental and biomedical fields. Some are summer programs, and some occur during the academic year. Send internship listings to Betty Eidemiller.
This website is dedicated to providing information about the various programs offered at Division of Educational Programs. Whether you are graduate student, undergraduate, K–12 student, or faculty member, DEP has a program that will engage you in a scientific learning experience.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) protects health and promotes quality of life through the prevention and control of disease, injury, and disability.
The Science and Engineering Apprentice Program (SEAP), sponsored by American Society for Engineering Education and the Department of Defense (DOD), is an eight week summer program for high school students.
This program places students in paid internships in Science and Engineering at any of several Department of Energy facilities. Many of the participants in the program have decided on a career in science and engineering because of the nature of the experience. Students work with scientists or engineers on projects related to the laboratories’ research programs. The different laboratories each offer different research opportunities.
The summer programs at the various laboratories will run from late May to mid-August, fall programs run from August through December and spring programs from January through May. The exact start date will depend on the laboratory and will be given to participants who have been accepted at that specific laboratory. Students are required to participate for the full term of the program.
The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory has a variety of programs for those interested in working in a world class scientific research environment with state-of-the-art facilities. The programs offered are tailored to high school through graduate-level students, teachers, and faculty and provide the opportunity to engage in practical research experience to further their educational, research or teaching goals. Students, faculty and teachers will work alongside LLNL researchers and staff through a variety of programs.
The National Cancer Institute (NCI), the largest component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is the nation’s premier biomedical research facility and a world leader in cancer research. The National Cancer Institute has a wide variety of summer internship opportunities. NCI’s Introduction to Cancer Research Careers Program recruits students from underrepresented populations and/or financially disadvantaged backgrounds who seek research internships. Participants are invited to NCI for a two-day expense-paid visit in February where they interview for summer and/or post-baccalaureate (1-year) internships across the Institute.
The National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR) is an important research component of the US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) that promotes and protects public health through research, application of research to improve safety evaluation, developing a scientifically sound basis for regulatory decisions, and evaluating the effects of chemicals on health. Summer research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students are available in Arkansas at NCTR. The 10-week Summer Student Research Program is administered by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, is designed for science and mathematics students preparing for future careers in toxicology, regulatory science, or related scientific disciplines, and provides research and laboratory experience mentored by US FDA scientists.
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) is part of the National Institutes of Health. The mission of NIEHS is to reduce human illness from environmental causes through research, prevention and intervention efforts, and communication.
Summer Internship Program
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the governmental agency that conducts and coordinates health-related research in the United States. Students from high school through graduate school can participate in biomedical research at NIH facilities and through NIH grants at other facilities.
- Training Programs in the Biomedical Sciences—Numerous programs grouped by degree levels
- College and high school summer internships
- Postbaccalaureate experiences
- Graduate student opportunities
- NIH Pathways for students and recent graduates
- Employment opportunities see USAJOBS Student Jobs
- Student Temporary Experience Program (STEP)
- Student Career Experience Program (SCEP)
The National Science Foundation (NSF) funds a large number of research opportunities for undergraduate students through its Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Sites program. An REU Site consists of a group of ten or so undergraduates who work in the research programs of the host institution. Each student is associated with a specific research project, where they work closely with the faculty and other researchers. Students are granted stipends and, in many cases, assistance with housing and travel.
The Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) advises the President on science and technology and the relationship with domestic and international affairs. Applications for its Student Volunteer Program are accepted for one of three annual terms (Spring, Summer, or Fall) from students who are US citizens and who are actively enrolled in an accredited higher education institution. The positions are without compensation but provide practical work experience and networking opportunities in science and technology policy arena.
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is the government agency concerned with production, marketing and safety of food as well as nutrition and clean water programs and issues in rural communities.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) is a governmental agency dedicated to preserving human health and safeguarding the natural environment. The US EPA conducts research and regulation concerning the five environmental hazards: air and water pollution, solid waste disposal, radiation, and pesticides.
- US EPA Student Opportunities
- US EPA Greater Research Opportunities—Deadline December 5. US EPA will award approximately 40 new fellowships in the summer of 2013. Eligible students will receive support for their junior and senior years of undergraduate study and for an internship at an US EPA facility during the summer of their junior year.
The US National Arboretum offers a limited number of internships in horticulture, botany, research, education, and other areas.
Centralized location for searching for government-related positions