Pre-College

Program Type

Related Website

Focus of Program

Grades K-12 Resources

http://nihsepa.org/exit icon

Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) funds innovative K-12 STEM and Informal Science Education (ISE) educational projects

https://www.nih.gov/research-training/science-education#students

Resources for Students

https://www.nih.gov/research-training/science-education#teachers

Resources for Educators

Summer Research

NIH Summer Internship Program for High School Students

Intramural NIH program for summer research

NIDDK Short-Term Research Experience Program for Underrepresented Persons (STEP-UP) 

Institutional program to support summer research by high school students and undergraduates.

NIH supports programs to develop the biomedical, behavioral, clinical, and social sciences research workforce. Enhancing the participation of individuals from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds is a consideration in all NIH programs including research education (R), training (T), fellowship (F), and career development (K) award programs. In addition, it is an explicit consideration in diversity-related programs. The table above identifies most NIH research workforce programs by career level, with  diversity-related programs indicated with highlight.

  • Institutional programs (such as a T32 training grant): To participate, apply to an institution that has an NIH program. Identify awardee institutions through NIH RePORTer and contact the Principal Investigator for more information.
  • Individual programs (such as an F31 pre-doctoral fellowship): To participate, prepare an application to the NIH. Read the funding opportunity announcement and contact the NIH program official listed for more information.
  • Intramural programs that occur only at the NIH campus are included as they provide unique training opportunities that you should be aware of. See the websites for more information.

Many programs permit applications from individuals with specific educational backgrounds (such as PhD, MD, DVM, DDS, etc), and/or focus on particular health or disease missions. It is important to read the funding opportunity announcement carefully. Note that not every NIH Institute or Center offers every funding opportunity.

Users are advised to check the NIH Guide (search the Title Text to include diversity) for the most current list of programs, and the NIH Research Training and Career Development website for any updates.