NIDA Summer Research Internship Program

NIDA is now accepting summer internship applications for the 2025 NIDA Summer Research Internship Program. Apply now and reach out to Ms. Julie Huffman if you have any questions. The deadline to apply is January 6, 2025. 

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Summer Research Internship Program introduces undergraduate students aged 18 years and older to the field of substance use and addiction. Students participate in research internships by working with leading NIDA scientists at universities across the United States for eight weeks during the summer.  The internship may include laboratory experiments, data collection, data analysis, formal courses, participation in lab meetings, patient interviews, manuscript preparation, and literature reviews. In addition, each intern will have an opportunity to deliver a brief presentation on their research project at the end of the internship.

Internship Site Principal Investigator

Internship Site PI registration for the 2025 NIDA Summer Research Internship Program is now closed.

Eligibility

  • Applicants must be at least 18 years old on or before May 31, 2025, and must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United States.
  • Full time sophomores, juniors and seniors are eligible to apply.
  • Students must be committed to working for 8 consecutive weeks during the summer (some schedule flexibilities may be allowed).
  • NIDA highly encourages those from diverse backgrounds including those from underrepresented groups, to apply for this summer research experience (see NIH’s Interest in Diversity).
  • Individuals who have already participated in the NIDA Summer Research Internship Program are no longer eligible to apply.

Scope of Support

  • Interns will receive wages in the amount of $15.00 per hour for a maximum of $4,800 for eight (8) weeks.
  • Internship experiences are in-person.
  • Interns may receive a housing reimbursement for up to $2,500 (upon sending NIDA proper documentation of these expenses) if they are required to travel to a different state for their internship. After accepting an internship position, the intern will be required to cover any additional costs for housing and other expenses accrued including but not limited to utilities, cable, Wi-Fi, and meals. NIDA understands that some locations have a higher cost of living and additional housing support will be considered with proper documentation on a case-by-case basis.
  • Interns may also receive a travel reimbursement for up to $500 for travel to and from the internship site, including but not limited to: bus, train, metro, airplane, uber, taxi, and parking.  

Internship Site and Intern Agreement

Prior to the start of the internship, both the Internship Site PI and Intern must agree to the following.

PI Agreement:

  • As a NSRIP Internship Site PI, you are agreeing to: 
    • Assist the intern with securing housing for the duration of the internship, establish start and end dates, as well as set expectations for the internship.
    • Provide hands-on research experiences to the intern in an active research setting (laboratory, office, or field setting) based on sound educational practices designed to stimulate the interest and advance the knowledge base of participants. Research must be relevant to the NIDA mission.
    • In addition to hands-on research experiences, offer the intern the opportunity to engage in complementary activities that support the intern’s development as a scientist. Examples of such activities could include collaborations with others, scientific writing, presentation skills, and trainings related to the conduct of scientific research.
    • Ensure that intern meets with a direct supervisor a minimum of 3 times per week during the 8-week period. Interns should be able to contact their direct supervisor by phone, email, and/or text when questions arise.
    • Be willing and available to address intern’s internship related questions such as research careers and postgraduate training programs.
    • Inform NIDA as soon as possible if the intern is no longer participating in the program.
  • As a NSRIP intern, you are agreeing to:
    • Work closely with the internship site PI and/or intern supervisor to secure your housing and travel arrangements. Provide proper documentation to the NIDA contractor (Rose Li & Associates) when seeking reimbursement (i.e., $2,500 for housing and $500 for travel to internship site). 
    • Be punctual and respectful and abide by the policies of the research lab (confidentiality, dress code, safety protocols, facility access, etc).
    • Participate fully in the complete 8-week research experience.
    • Keep a record of your hours worked and accurately report these hours as per the arrangement with your internship site. Provide your direct supervisor with advanced notice when requesting any changes to your schedule.
    • Educate yourself regarding any tax liability related to summer employment. Program participants are considered self-employed and are not officially employees of any university nor of the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
    • Present your research at the NIDA Summer Research Internship Program Summer Showcase, which will take place virtually in August.

Application

NIDA is now accepting summer internship applications for the 2025 NIDA Summer Research Internship Program. Apply now and reach out to Ms. Julie Huffman if you have any questions. The deadline to apply is January 6, 2025. See the listing of all internship opportunities available in the Program Guide.

  • Application components include:
    • Completed application form, 
    • Current transcripts (unofficial transcripts are acceptable), and 
    • Two letters of recommendation
  • 2025 Program Dates & Timeline (Subject to change):
    • September 27, 2024—Internship Site PI registration opens
    • October 20, 2024— Internship Site PI registration closes 
    • November 12, 2024—Internship application opens online
    • January 6, 2025—Intern application deadline, no exceptions
    • January/February 2025—Review of applications
    • Late February 2025—Decisions are sent to all applicants 
    • Early March 2025 —Research sites are notified of final intern placements
    • *June 2025—NIDA Summer Research Internship Program officially begins

*Start and end dates of internships will vary and should be determined by the Internship Site and the intern.
Contact

Contact

  • If you have any questions, feel free to contact Julie Huffman, phone 301-443-9798.

Testimonials

What past NIDA summer interns and mentors have said about the program.

Student Interns

  • "As I prepare to enter my masters program, I have been reminiscing on my previous work and internship experience and this one [The NIDA Summer Research Internship Program] stood out. I wanted to extend my gratitude because this internship is such an amazing opportunity for young undergraduate students! It was definitely a turning point in my professional career. It had exposed me to so much and gave me a glimpse of what my day to day would look like in certain roles. It has provided me with relationships with mentors that are still on going to this day. I will always recommend this program to anyone I can!"
    Hewitt Mesfin, 2022 Intern Dr. J. Douglas Bremner's lab at Emory University
Nicholas C., was a 2021 intern in Dr. Sara Becker’s lab at Brown University
  • “Through the NIDA summer program, I have been afforded the opportunity to be exposed and partake in many parts of a research study like coding qualitative interviews and collaborating on manuscripts. From engaging in dialogue with patients in follow-up interviews to assessing counselor sessions for fidelity and providing ongoing feedback, I have been able to build upon my communication skills, while also further developing my cultural competency as a researcher. Gaining this type of expertise will prove to be valuable in my professional career and work to enhance my application to MD programs in the future. My participation in the NIDA program went above and beyond my expectations and has introduced me to the intriguing and innovative space of addiction research. I implore all future generations of NIDA interns to be open-minded and bring a willingness to learn each day of your internship. Show up fully confident and bring your own identity and background into your lab to help inform your research, especially those holding marginalized identities. Take up the space that we have been deprived of in the STEM field for far too long!”
    Nicholas C., was a 2021 intern in Dr. Sara Becker’s lab at Brown University
Shaelyn S. was a 2021 intern in Dr. Mary Torregrossa’s lab at the University of Pittsburgh
  • Looking at the work I did this summer under Dr. Torregrossa, I learned an immense amount of new information about not only the field of neuroscience, but also about what I want to pursue as a career. One of the general ideas I learned about was how to study and specifically look at memory reconsolidation and neurobehavioral changes in rodents when exposed to drugs of abuse. I also gained an understanding of the different tasks that the rodents were given. In particular, how these tasks can be used in a way in which the rodent identifies a correct object, and then is given a reward as a result. This internship experience as a whole was one of the best of my life and I am extremely thankful that I got to experience it. I always knew that I wanted to conduct research; I was just never quite sure on what I wanted to study or how the process was fully conducted. Now, I have confidence that continuing on this career path of addiction research and science is something that I want to do, and I look forward to doing it. In regard to what is next for me, I have plans to graduate in May of 2022 and then continue on helping conduct research in Dr. Torregrossa’s lab to gain even more research experience while I apply for PhD programs.
    Shaelyn S. was a 2021 intern in Dr. Mary Torregrossa’s lab at the University of Pittsburgh
  • “This program solidified my interest in drug abuse research.  I am very grateful to have had this experience, and highly recommend it to any student who is interested in exploring drug abuse research.”
    Elizabeth S., ’18 intern
    Dr. Paul Meyer, University of California, San Diego
  • “The NIDA summer internship was the single-most influential experience in my academic career. I was able to partake in breakthrough fMRI research and work with world class researchers. I was promoted at my research group back in my home university, and was even offered a full-time position at my summer internship location once I graduate.”
    Edward R. 18’ intern
    Dr. Christina Hoven, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York
  • “Thanks to this internship, I had opportunities to have other research experiences, create a EEG manual and become the PI on my own study. I was even motivated to apply to masters and PhD programs as well.”
    India H., ’16 intern
    Dr. Steven Shoptaw, University of California, Los Angeles
  • “I must say this has been an extraordinary experience for me, where I have learned more than I could put into words and gained such valuable information that I will surely take with me to help me greatly succeed in my studies and future career.”
    Jacqueline M ’17 intern
    Dr. Anne Duerr, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
  • “The NIDA summer internship was one of the most amazing learning experiences that I’ve had the opportunity to participate in. I was able to work alongside prestigious researchers who took the time to sit down with me and teach me valuable research skills that I will carry with me as I pursue my future career.”
    Isabella I. ’18 intern
    Dr. Victoria Coleman-Cowger, Battelle Centers
  • “The NIDA Summer Research Internship Program allowed me to experience drug addiction research during a hands-on and immersive summer. I now have the skills necessary to succeed in neuroscience research and the confidence to pursue my passions in drug addiction research through graduate school.”
    Melissa B., ’18 intern
    Dr. Kathryn Reissner, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina
  • “NIDA was the best internship I've been a part of thus far. The chance to work with other students and professors on child development in a clinical setting is rare. I have gained many experiences and connections that will help me for a very long time.”
    Steven S. ’18 intern
    Dr. Elizabeth Skowron, Prevention Science Institute
  • “The NIDA Summer Internship Program experience inspired me and gave me the resources to begin my career as a research scientist. Being a NIDA scholar continues to give me funding, networking, and other invaluable opportunities”.
    Jacqueline Q. ’15 intern
    Dr. Chitra Mandyam, San Diego State University
  • “I had the opportunity to be co-authored on a research paper, which was a very special opportunity that I doubt I would have found elsewhere.”
    Calumina M. ’18 intern
    Dr. Anna Rose Childress, University of Pennsylvania
  • “NIDA gave me the opportunity to gain experience in a field I had never discovered before. I worked with some of the top researchers in the Psychiatric field of online interventions, and with help from mentors, I finally determined what graduate programs I want to apply to.”
    Abby H., ’18 intern
    Dr. Danielle Ramo, University of California, San Francisco
  • “The NIDA summer research internship was the most enriching summer experience I have ever had. Because of my time as a NIDA intern, I was captivated to learn more about addiction research and how I could implement it into future medical practice.”
    Amy K. – ’18 intern
    Dr. Susan Tapert, University of California, San Diego
  • “My research experiences this past summer was an amazing learning experience. I gained a certainty in knowing that I want to earn a dual PharmD/PhD degree after I graduate with my Bachelor’s Degree in Pharmaceutical Chemistry.”
    Ariana C. ’18 intern
    Dr. Kathryn Reissner, North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  • “This internship had an enormous impact in solidifying my passion to go onto a career in clinical psychology. I had an incredible experience with an amazing mentor and teacher.”  
    Vanessa C. ’18 intern
    Dr. Anthony Spirito, Brown University
  • "I would like to thank you for this amazing opportunity to be part of this internship that focuses on substance use/abuse research. I enjoyed working alongside the research team in the field and clinical supervision meetings. They were supportive and openly communicative when I needed assistance. I read literatures on drug use among Haitian youth, ethnography, history of unethical research, and the Haitian population in South Florida. This internship has inspired me to incorporate research, substance use, in my profession as a social worker. I would highly recommend my undergraduate peers to apply for this program."
    Elanna S. ’20 intern
    Dr. Louis Herns Marcelin, University of Miami
  • "During my time working in Dr. Perrine’s lab, I have taken on a project focused around measuring fentanyl behavioral sensitization in rats. In this experiment, rats receive 3 different injection schemes over an 8-day period.  The goal of the experiment is to determine if rats can become sensitized to fentanyl, which would be confirmed by higher locomotor activity levels on day 8 versus day 1. Female rats are also lavaged during each of the 8 days to track their estrous cycles with the goal of looking for potential roles’ estradiol plays in female locomotor activity. Through this on-going project, I have learned skills such as subcutaneous and intraperitoneal injections, lavage, experimental design, literature research and reviews, and data analysis."
    Sean H. ’20 intern
    Dr. Shane Perrine, Wayne State University School of Medicine

NIDA Mentors:

  • “I just want to let you know that both of my summer interns were outstanding.  Thank you for your outstanding program, which for my lab has been a wonderful and productive experience over the years.”
    Dr. Joshua Corbin, Children’s National Medical Center, Washington, D.C.
  • “It was my absolute pleasure to mentor and host Karina A. during her 2018 NIDA Research Summer Internship. Thank you for choosing me as one of the NIDA mentors for this exciting program.”
    Dr. Feri Nugent, The Henry M. Jackson Foundation
  • “I just wanted to thank you for posting this information to the SPSP listserv.  I passed it on to some of my students and one applied and was accepted.  I just wanted you to know that that little act opened some pretty big doors for a really deserving person.”
    Dr. Heather Haas, The University of Montana Western
  • “I had a terrific student, Juan V, who conducted 2 different experiments on the optogenetic control of alcohol dependence and the role of GABA release in the amygdala in nicotine dependence. He is very talented and a hard worker, I am hoping to convince him to pursue a career in the addiction field.” 
    Dr. Olivier George, The Scripps Research Institute
  • "I wanted to let you know that it was an amazing experience to have a NIDA Summer Intern in my laboratory last summer.  She was extremely motivated and productive and helped in a manuscript that just got published in Molecular Pain.  She is currently working part time in my laboratory finishing up experiments for a manuscript in preparation. She is also working on her application for graduate school.  I just wanted to let you know how wonderful the experience has been for me. Thanks again for all your help."
    Josee Guindon, DVM, Ph.D., Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

Publications

Avila, A.H., Weixelbaum, J.H. & Compton, W.M. The National Institute on Drug Abuse Summer Research Internship Program: Building a Diverse National Scientific Workforce. Neuropsychopharmacol. 47, 2184–2188 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41386-022-01377-3