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Research
Student Training
Take Advantage of NIAMS Opportunities at Each Stage in your Education and Career. The NIAMS actively seeks interested candidates who want to learn about the latest advances in basic and clinical research at an early stage in their careers. Students in high school, college, or graduate school, or the professional schools can spend a summer or work part-time through the academic year at the NIAMS. The year-off program provides an opportunity for graduate or medical students to spend a year at the NIH engaged in biomedical research. College graduates who plan to pursue an advanced degree but want some research experience can work full-time for up to 2 years prior to their enrollment in a graduate or professional school.
Our intramural researchers pursue projects in biomedical research ranging from fundamental analyses of protein structure and function (e.g., by high energy irradiation, x-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, genetics, and biomedical approaches) to more directly applicable research on treatment, etiology, and pathogenesis of a variety of connective tissue and skin diseases. Students may take part in research projects, learn a variety of laboratory techniques, and, in many cases, be responsible for carrying out experiments. Students also attend seminars, journal clubs, data sessions, and safety and other training courses available to the intramural scientific community.
Types of Programs Offered at NIAMS
Summer Internships
Postbaccalaureate Intramural Research Training Award - for recent college graduates who plan to apply to graduate or professional school or who want a year-round laboratory training experience.
Graduate Partnerships Program - for college graduates seeking doctoral training through the NIH-University Ph.D. training partnership (duration of 3-5 years).
Predoctoral or Interim Intramural Research Training Award - for graduate or medical students who desire an interim or year-off research experience.
Predoctoral Visiting Fellow Program - opportunities for foreign graduate students in doctoral programs to participate in research at the NIH. NIH Academy - for recent college graduates who have an interest in health disparities. Technical Intramural Research Training Award - for individuals with a bachelor's or master's degree who aspire to careers as research support professionals. NIH Undergraduate Scholarship Program - competitive scholarships for exceptional students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) - internships in federal agencies and corporations. National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO) - internships in government and industry for students enrolled in historically and predominantly black colleges and universities Washington Internships for Native Students (WINS) - internships in federal agencies, private sector and American Indian/Alaska Native organizations.
Eligibility for programs
U.S. citizens or permanent residents are eligible for the fellowship programs listed. Foreign graduate students in doctoral programs will also have an opportunity to participate in research at the NIH through the (http://www.life.umd.edu/grad/mocb/mocb_nih.html) Predoctoral Visiting Fellow Program and the Graduate Partnerships Program. For the summer program, students must work full-time for a minimum of 8 weeks. For the part-time student positions during the academic year, students must be at least half-time students and in good standing at their institutions. The students must be available to work a minimum of 12 hours per week. College graduates for the Postbaccalaureate program must be within 1 year of their graduation, and willing to work full-time for a minimum of 1 year, and no more than 2 years.
Financial Support
Salaries and stipends are based on the students educational level and the mechanism of support, and are subject to yearly adjustments. Students who are willing to volunteer or participate in a co-op program with their school are also welcome to apply at anytime. For NIAMS Fellows, note the amounts listed for "All Areas."
Application Process
Although applications for student opportunities may be submitted directly to any of the intramural laboratories or branches, it is advisable to apply through the online applications provided through the NIH Training website, and inform the NIAMS IRP Career Development Office staff of your interest in a particular laboratory. Your application and information will be forwarded and handled accordingly.
Updated September 15, 2007
