The National Institutes of Health Undergraduate Scholarship Program offers competitive scholarships to students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are committed to careers in biomedical, behavioral and social science health-related research.

The program offers scholarship support, paid research training at the NIH during the summer and paid employment and training at the NIH after graduation.

Eligibility requirements

• U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident
• Enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a full-time student at an accredited four-year undergraduate institution located in the U.S.
• GPA of 3.3 or higher on a 4.0-point scale or within the top five percent of your class
• Have “exceptional financial need” as certified by your undergraduate institution financial aid office (click here for more information)

Important deadlines

• Jan. 3 – Application opens
• March 14 – Application deadline
• March 28 – Letter of recommendation deadline
• May 9 – Financial need form deadline
• Mid-June – Invitations to phone interview distributed
• Mid-July – Phone interviews
• Late-July – Selection of scholars