For Students > Student Teacher Internship Program (STIP) - Introducing students & teachers to biomedical research.

The Student and Teacher Internship Program (STIP) is proudly sponsored by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS).

An honorarium of $1,600 will be paid in two installments for the eight weeks and students will earn one honors credit with grade. Students who successfully complete the summer program will continue their internship during the academic year and earn two additional honors credits per semester. A student may earn five honors credits for the total intern experience. The Howard Hughes Medical Institute/National Institutes of Health/Montgomery County Public Schools (HHMI/NIH/MCPS) Student Intern Program (STIP) is funded by a grant from the HHMI. This year-long educational experience is open to MCPS high school students and is managed by the Department of Curriculum and Instruction.

A student internship at the NIH is a demanding and extremely rewarding experience that will be offered to up to 20 MCPS juniors and/or seniors who best meet the following criteria:

Selection Criteria for Students:

Grade point average of 3.0 or higher
Demonstrate significant interest in exploring a career in biomedical research
Completed Algebra 2, Biology, and Chemistry, or are taking Algebra 2 and Chemistry concurrently
Excellent attendance record
Produce assignments of high quality in a timely manner
16th birthday on or before July 1 of the internship year
U.S. citizen or hold a valid Green Card

The intern experience will begin on the Monday after the school year ends, with a one-week course in biotechnology. After the week of training, student interns will enter their NIH laboratories to begin seven weeks of full-time research. An honorarium of $1,600 will be paid to the students in two installments for the eight weeks. Students who successfully complete the summer program will continue their internship during the academic year and earn two honors credits per semester, earning 4 advanced level (honors) credits for the total intern experience. Students who do not complete the summer program may not continue in the following academic year and will not earn any credit. The STIP is a twelve-month commitment. Shortly after school begins in September, student interns will start working in their laboratories 15-20 hours per week on their own research projects.

During the academic year, student interns should enroll in a maximum of four classes at their home schools. The remainder of the day is reserved for their laboratory work at NIH. Student interns will not be able to participate in regularly scheduled after-school activities, such as sports or band.

Each high school may submit four applications, with the final decision being made by the principal. The application is a two-step process.

If selected for this program, you will also be required to provide the following items before your beginning the NIH Summer Internship:

Parent/Guardian Permission Form
Unofficial High School Transcript of Grades