The NEI is seeking exceptional candidates for its Diversity In Vision Research and Ophthalmology (DIVRO) summer internship program.
The mission of the NEI is to conduct and support research that helps prevent and treat eye diseases and other vision disorders. Because we believe that a diverse group of scientists plays a crucial role in accomplishing this mission, NEI seeks to increase the number of African-American, Latino, and Native American scientists in vision research by promoting career development opportunities for science students interested in pursuing a career in research.
The DIVRO program offers each participant the opportunity to work closely with leading research scientists in the Division of Intramural Research and provides hands-on training in a research environment that will prepare them to continue their studies and advance their careers in basic and clinical research. Interns typically work 8-12 weeks at the NIH campus in Bethesda, MD or at the Twinbrook facility at Fishers Lane in Rockville, MD. Internships may begin between mid-May and the beginning of July. They will also attend seminars and workshops hosted by the NEI and by the NIH Office of Intramural Training and Education (OITE). Students are provided a monthly stipend that is commensurate with experience and qualifications. The NIH is unable to provide housing for summer interns. However, please see the NIH OITE website for some helpful suggestions on finding housing. DIVRO supports students who are sixteen and older who are enrolled at least half-time in high school or in an accredited U.S. college, university or professional (medical, dental, veterinary) school and have completed course work relevant to biomedical, behavioral, or statistical research. Applicants must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) or science course GPA of 3.2 or better on a 4.0 scale, and be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
DIVRO interns are required to present at the NIH Summer Intern Poster Day on August 10, 2017. Students with relatives who work at the NEI are not eligible for an internship in the NEI program; however, we encourage these students to pursue internships at another NIH institute. Interested candidates must apply through the NIH Summer Internship Program and indicate the following information: For Question #8 of the on-line application, Preferred Institute/Center (IC): National Eye Institute (NEI). Additionally interested candidates must email Dr. Cesar Perez-Gonzalez (cesarp@nei.nih.gov) after their application is completed. Applications open in mid-November, 2016 and close on March 1, 2017.
Annual Program Highlights
DIVRO Program 2015 DIVRO Program 2014 DIVRO Program 2013 DIVRO Program 2012 DIVRO Program 2011
Student Experiences
David Fernandez-Fidalgo, Unit on Retinal Neurophysiology Information on summer internships and labs at NEI can be found at the NEI Summer Intern Program page. For more information about the DIVRO program, please contact: Dr. Cesar Perez-Gonzalez, Ph.D. cesarp@nei.nih.gov Phone: 301-451-6763 Mrs. Nora Salgado salgadon@nei.nih.gov