Click on Apply below to start your application. 

Applications must be completed, and recommendations received by the deadline of Friday, February 16, 2024, at 5:00 P.M. EST to be considered for selection.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) office is seeking undergraduate students to participate in the NIEHS Scholars Connect Program (NSCP). Participants will be provided a paid internship during the academic year for 3 semesters beginning in the Summer of 2024. The program is designed to provide environmental health sciences research training for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)-focused undergraduate students from historically black colleges and universities (HBCU), community colleges, and other surrounding academic institutions within the commuting area of Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, to solidly connect with NIEHS, and receive frontier level training in biomedical research under the mentorship of highly trained NIEHS staff.  Participants will also have opportunities for personal and professional development. Students from underrepresented groups in STEM are strongly encouraged to apply. 

What will I be doing?

Participants are paired with a NIEHS research mentor who will guide them through the scientific research process of defining a hypothesis, designing and conducting experiments to test the hypothesis, and analyzing and reporting the results. Projects will be determined by the hosting lab's Principal Investigator.

To supplement the research and training experience, the participant will:

• Attend career-relevant information sessions, talks, and presentations, including program orientation during the first week of the Summer Connection.
• Attend a 2-5 day science boot camp during orientation week.
• Present an update of their project at the end of each Connection (semester).
• Participate in a weekly (Summer) and bi-weekly (Fall/Spring) Seminar Series, created exclusively for program participants.

Why should I apply?

As a participant, you will be a part of a research team striving to accomplish NIEHS research missions in areas related to human health and the environment. NSCP is dedicated to providing training in biomedical research so that you can apply your knowledge outside the classroom and gain career-changing experiences. 

For additional information visit; https://www.niehs.nih.gov/careers/research/scholars/index.cfm

Stipend

Summer Connection 40 hours a week: Juniors $3,150/month, Seniors $3,310/month

Fall and Spring Connections prorated for 15 hours a week

*Stipend amounts subject to change

Program Dates

Summer Connection: June 3, 2024--August 2, 2024, Full-time

Fall Connection: September 3, 2024--November 15, 2024, Part-time

Spring Connection: January 6, 2025--April 18, 2025, Part-time

Dates are subject to change

About NIEHS

The NIEHS is expanding and accelerating its contributions to scientific knowledge of human health and the environment, and to the health and well-being of people everywhere. NIEHS is one of the 27 Institutes and Centers of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Nature of Appointment

This program, administered by the Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and NIH. Participants do not become employees of NIH, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. Health insurance can be obtained through ORISE.

The successful applicant(s) will be required to comply with Environmental, Safety and Health (ES&H) requirements of the hosting facility, including but not limited to, COVID-19 requirements (e.g. facial covering, physical distancing, testing, vaccination).

The posting is open to rising junior or seniors at a 4-year college or university, or to those that have completed an advanced number of credit hours in science and math at a nearby community college seeking degrees in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) degree.  

To be eligible, applicants must: 

• Be a U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR).
• Live within commuting distance of Research Triangle Park, North Carolina area.
• Be enrolled, full-time or part-time in a degree granting program as a junior or senior in an undergraduate STEM major at a 4-year college or university or must have completed an advanced number of credit hours in a STEM at a nearby community college.  
• Be in good academic standing- Have at least 3.0 cumulative GPA.
• Have a strong interest in or currently pursuing studies in disciplines related to biomedical research.

A complete application consists of:

• Complete Zintellect profile

• Complete Application questions 

• Current Resume/CV, including academic history, employment history, and relevant experiences

• Transcripts/Academic Records - Recent unofficial transcripts or copies of the student academic records printed by the applicant or by academic advisors from internal institutional systems may be submitted to complete the application, if a copy of the official transcript is not available at the time of application. Transcripts/Academic Records must include the name of the academic institution, name of the student, completed/in progress coursework and grades.  If you are selected, you will be required to provide a copy of your official transcript before the appointment can start.

• Two (2) Academic or Professional Recommendation - Applicants are required to provide contact information for at least one recommendation in order to submit the application.  Recommenders will be asked to complete a recommendation through the Zintellect system, and must complete it before the application is considered complete.  Applications without a completed recommendation will not be reviewed.  The recommendation should address a candidate's academic record, scientific capabilities, personal characteristics, and potential for success.  The recommendation must be submitted through the Zintellect application system. Recommendations submitted via email will not be accepted.    

All documents must be submitted via Zintellect, and must be in English or include an official English translation. All application components must be received in the system in order to be considered. Documents must have all social security numbers, student identification numbers, and/or dates of birth removed (blanked out, blackened out, made illegible, etc.) prior to uploading into the application system.  Incomplete applications will not be considered. Supporting materials must be uploaded as PDF files to ensure the document can be searched by Zintellect’s search engine. Documents sent by email, postal mail, or fax will not be considered.  

If you have questions, send an email to NIHprograms@orau.org Please include the reference code [NIH-NIEHS-SCP-2024] for this opportunity in your email.

Connect with ORISE...on the GO!  Download the new ORISE GO mobile app in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to help you stay engaged, connected, and informed during your ORISE experience and beyond!

• Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
• Degree: Currently pursuing an Associate's Degree or Bachelor's Degree.
• Minimum Overall GPA: 3.00
• Discipline(s):
  • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (12 )
  • Communications and Graphics Design (2 )
  • Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (17 )
  • Earth and Geosciences (21 )
  • Engineering (27 )
  • Environmental and Marine Sciences (14 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (46 )
  • Mathematics and Statistics (10 )
  • Other Non-Science & Engineering (2 )
  • Physics (16 )
  • Science & Engineering-related (1 )
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (29 )
• Age: Must be 18 years old by 6/3/2024

I affirm that I live within commuting distance of Research Triangle Park, North Carolina area.