The National Institutes of Health Undergraduate Scholarship Program is a college scholarship program for undergraduate students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are committed to careers in biomedical, behavioral, and social science research. The program provides scholarship recipients up to $20,000 per academic year for tuition, educational, and reasonable living expenses. Scholarships are awarded for one year and can be renewed for up to four years.
For every year of scholarship support, scholars commit to two paid service obligations in the NIH Intramural Research Program. These are:
- A ten week full-time summer internship at the NIH immediately following the year of scholarship support
- One year of full-time work at the NIH post-graduation; this service obligation may be deferred until completion of an advanced degree program.
UGSP scholars work in research groups directed by a Principal Investigator (PI). We offer research opportunities in the biomedical, behavioral and social sciences with opportunities to explore translational and clinical research. Students with experience in biology, engineering, epidemiology, psychology, mathematics, chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, nursing, physics, computer science, bioinformatics and other health-related fields are invited to apply. UGSP Scholars may not work in administrative offices or outside of the NIH Intramural Research Program.
Research groups are located on several NIH campuses, including the main campus in Bethesda, MD. While the summer service obligation takes place in Bethesda, scholars may complete their post-graduation service obligation on any NIH campus.
Location(s)
- Remote
- NIH campuses in Bethesda, Maryland and elsewhere (research internship obligation)
Schedule
- The application period runs from January to March. Scholarship recipients must commit to serving as NIH research interns for two summers.
Cost/Compensation
- UGSP Scholars may receive up to $20,000 of scholarship support each academic year. The scholarship is paid directly to your university and can be used for tuition, educational and reasonable living expenses as established by your university.
- Scholars are paid directly during the summer and post-graduation service obligations at the NIH. The salary is commensurate to the level of education completed; scholars also receive benefits, including access to health insurance, free parking or Transhare benefits.
Eligibility Requirements
- US Citizen or permanent resident
- Enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a full-time undergraduate student at an accredited four-year college or university.
- Grade point average of 3.3 or greater on a 4.0-point scale, or rank within the top five percent of your class.
- Demonstrate exceptional financial need certified by your undergraduate institution’s financial aid office.
- Able to pass a federal background check
Deadline
- Late March
Application or Entry Requirements
- Completed online application
- Coursework and grades
- CV/Resume
- Three references
- A statement that broadly describes your research experience, interests, and goals.
- The email address of a financial aid officer at your institution so that they can complete EFN certification.
Notifications of Decisions
Financial Aid Details
Other Dates to Keep in Mind
- Application opens in January
Have other questions?
The National Institute of Health (NIH) Office of Intramural Training & Education (OITE) is a division of the Office of Intramural Research (OIR). The NIH is a major public research institute responsible for biomedical and public health research in the United States. Founded in the 1880s and based in Bethesda, Maryland, the NIH comprises 27 institutes that have contributed countless scientific accomplishments for the public good. OITE offers programs for high school and college students, recent college graduates, graduate students, professional students, and postdoctoral and clinical fellows, providing career/professional development programming to help intramural trainees take maximal advantage of their time at NIH and progress successfully to the next step in their careers.
