Students! Is the Community College Summer Enrichment Program (CCSEP) right for YOU?

The Community College Summer Enrichment Internship (CCSEP) program is an opportunity for college students or recent college graduates to perform a summer research internship in the Intramural Program at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). 

This program is for community college students interested in exploring careers in research and healthcare. These are full-time research positions within one of the NIH Institutes and Centers (IC) in the NIH Intramural Research Program. Research groups are located on all NIH campuses, including the main campus in Bethesda, MD.

CCSEP is a cohort program within the broader Summer Internship Program. In addition to having access to the resources offered to all summer interns, CCSEP interns also participate in orientation, leadership, professional development, and well-being programs as part of a cohort or  learning community. Elements of the CCSEP curriculum address successful transitions from community college to four-year colleges and universities.

To be considered for CCSEP, you must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. In addition, you must be enrolled full-time in an accredited community college or two-year Tribal College in the U.S. at the time of application. You must have completed at least two science/math courses and have minimal or no research experience. CCSEP interns must commit to completing the entire ten-week internship. 

CCSEP participants must be on campus from June 2 through August 8, 2025. Summer internships are full-time positions; interns are expected to devote a minimum 40 hours per week to their projects and training.

The CCSEP webpage as a very thorough video that will walk you through the expectations of the program and help you decide if the program is right for you, as well as describe the application process.

The CCSEP application will open in mid-November 2024.

The CCSEP application will close January 8, 2025, at noon ET.
CCSEP reference letters are due January 15, 2025, at noon ET.

Questions? Email SIP@nih.gov