2021 NIDA Summer Research Internship Program

The NIDA Summer Research Internship Program introduces undergraduate students from underrepresented populations to substance abuse research through internships with NIDA scientists at universities across the United States. The experience may include laboratory experiments, formal courses, data collection activities, data analysis, patient recruitment, patient interviews, manuscript preparation, literature reviews and library research. Internships include a paid 8-week intensive, hands-on substance abuse and addiction research experience that provides students with the opportunity to gain an understanding of the research process. Since the program’s inception in 1997, over 1100 students have gained valuable drug abuse research experience, some of which have continued to pursue a career in substance abuse research.

  • Eligibility
    This NIDA Summer Research Internship program is designed to train individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those from groups underrepresented in the biomedical, behavioral, clinical and social sciences research workforce, to conduct research and to prepare for careers in the biomedical, behavioral, clinical and social sciences such as individuals from racial and ethnic groups that have been shown by the NSF to be underrepresented in health-related sciences on a national basis (see data at http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/showpub.cfm?TopID=2&SubID=27 and the report Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering). The following racial and ethnic groups have been shown to be underrepresented in biomedical research: Blacks or African Americans, Hispanics or Latinos, American Indians or Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders.  In addition, it is recognized that underrepresentation can vary from setting to setting; individuals from racial or ethnic groups that can be demonstrated convincingly to be underrepresented by the grantee institution should be encouraged to participate in this program.  For more information on racial and ethnic categories and definitions, see NOT-OD-15-089.

  • Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and citizens or permanent residents of the United States (no exceptions).  

  • Individuals who have already participated in the NIDA Summer Research Internship Program are no longer eligible to apply.

  • Scope of Support
    Undergraduate students receive stipends of $12.00 per hour.  Students are required to work 40 hours/week for a total of 8 weeks. Students placed at non-local sites are eligible for up to $3,000 for travel and housing expenses.

  • When to Apply
    All Application components, including the two letters of recommendation, must be submitted online by February 12, 2021.

For more information about the NIDA Summer Research Internship Program, contact:

Julie Huffman                                         Albert Avila, Ph.D.
Office:  301-443-9798                             Program Director
julie.huffman@nih.gov                          aavila@nida.nih.gov