15 Global (International) Health Summer Internships for Undergraduates

If you’re an undergraduate student interested in public health, medicine, or international development, an international health internship can give you firsthand experience in how health challenges are addressed across different settings. These programs let you step into research labs, policy organizations, or public health departments where you’ll gain practical skills in research, communication, and cross-cultural collaboration. 

Beyond learning technical skills, you’ll also see how issues like health equity, access to care, and disease prevention are tackled on both local and international levels. Global health internships are also a strong addition to your resume. They show future employers and graduate schools that you’ve taken the initiative to explore healthcare beyond the classroom, developed global awareness, and built professional connections with experts in the field. 

To make your search easier, we’ve compiled 15 global health summer internships for undergraduates in the U.S.!

15 Global Health Summer Internships for Undergraduates

1. Ladder University Internship Program

Location: Remote

Cost: Varies by program type; need-based financial aid available 

Application Deadline: Varies by cohort

Program Dates: Multiple 8-week cohorts throughout the year

Eligibility: Undergraduate and gap year students can apply

Ladder Internships is a highly selective virtual program where students work on real-world projects for startups in fields like health tech, biotechnology, AI, and sustainability. You’ll be paired with a company coach who provides structured feedback and professional guidance every week. You’ll gain experience in research and communication, wrap up the program with a final presentation, and walk away with a strong addition to your resume. Placements are aligned with each student’s interests, and financial assistance is available. Alumni have gone on to attend universities such as Stanford, Princeton, and UC Berkeley.

2. CDC - HIV and TB Internship, Harvard Global Health Institute

Location: Atlanta, GA or Washington, D.C.; hybrid format (virtual + office) 

Cost/Stipend: Fully funded to cover travel, food, lodging, and other necessities for the 10 weeks 

Application Deadline: Early February (part of HGHI cycle) 

Program Dates: 10 weeks, June through August

Eligibility: Undergraduates with an interest in global health policy, HIV/TB, and strong writing and communication skills

CDC’s HIV and TB Internship through the Harvard Global Health Institute is a hybrid summer placement with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. You work on global HIV and TB policy, helping draft issue briefs, conduct literature reviews, and prepare strategic communication materials. You also support correspondence with stakeholders and may join meetings with external partners. You gain experience working inside a federal agency and learn how global health programs are shaped through government processes. The role focuses on advocacy, health equity, and strategic development in HIV and TB policy.

3. Global Enterics Laboratory (Massachusetts General Hospital), Harvard Global Health Institute

Location: Boston, MA; fully in‑person 

Cost/Stipend: Fully funded through HGHI to cover travel, food, lodging, and basic needs 

Application Deadline: Early February (HGHI summer cycle applies) 

Program Dates: 10 weeks between June and August 

Eligibility: Undergraduates with a strong interest in bacterial immunology or microbiology

Global Enterics Laboratory Internship at Massachusetts General Hospital is a full-time, in-person research experience offered through the Harvard Global Health Institute. You choose a project focused on bacterial infection immunology, either studying mucosal antibody responses to cholera or immune responses to antimicrobial-resistant Klebsiella. You’ll conduct literature reviews, plan experiments, collect data, and present results to the lab team. The lab environment includes mentorship from principal investigators, a lab manager, coordinators, and clinical staff. 

4. Digestive Disease Summer Research Program, Mass General Hospital for Children

Location: Boston, MA (in‑person)

Cost / Stipend: Salary support provided via NIDDK‑funded educational program

Application Deadline: March 15

Program Dates: Approximately 10 weeks during summer; begins in June; exact dates not stated.

Eligibility: Undergraduate students; selection matches students with investigators focused on digestive disease research

The Digestive Disease Summer Research Program at Mass General Hospital for Children is a 10-week research internship for undergraduates. You’re matched with a faculty mentor and take on an independent project focused on digestive diseases. Research areas include immunology, microbiology, computational biology, imaging, genetics, and clinical research. You work in a lab setting and learn techniques like molecular biology, microfluidics, immune cell isolation, and advanced imaging. At the end, you present your findings at a research symposium.

5. Summer Internship Program (SIP), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Location: Baltimore, Maryland (in-person)

Cost/Stipend: A stipend of $3,000 to $5,500, depending on division and funding availability

Application Deadline: February 1 (tentative, based on previous year’s schedule)

Program Dates: May 25 — August 2 (tentative, based on previous year’s schedule)

Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents; undergraduates who have completed at least one year of college; GPA of 3.0 or higher recommended

The Summer Internship Program (SIP) at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine gives you full-time experience in biomedical research over ten weeks. You’re paired with a faculty mentor and work on a lab project in areas like infectious diseases, global health disparities, molecular biology, or neuroscience. The program includes weekly seminars, career development workshops, and a final research symposium where you present your findings. You also get support with graduate school preparation through mentorship and informational sessions. 

6. Global Health Internship, American Public Health Association (APHA)

Location: Washington, D.C. (in-person)

Cost/Stipend: Unpaid 

Application Deadline: February 6 (tentative, based on previous year’s schedule)

Program Dates: Summer: June 1 — August 15 (tentative, based on previous year’s schedule)

Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in a degree program; all majors welcome; must be able to work in the U.S.

Global Health Internship – American Public Health Association (APHA) places you in the Global Health unit of APHA’s Center for Professional Development, Public Health Systems and Partnerships. You help draft and edit content for APHA’s website, newsletter, blog, and newspaper, focusing on global health topics. You also assist with updating event details, researching training programs, planning seminars, and coordinating visits from international health professionals.

7. Global Healthcare Internship Program, Project C.U.R.E.

Location: U.S.–based (choice among distribution centers across multiple cities or virtual/remote) 

Cost / Stipend: Unpaid (no stipend provided) 

Application Deadline: Ongoing, accepts applications year‑round, including for the summer term

Program Dates: Flexible; summer interns typically commit 15–20 hours per week over the summer semester 

Eligibility: Upper-level undergraduates (juniors or seniors) and graduate students; non-students and working professionals may also apply; must be within the U.S.

Global Healthcare Internship Program – Project C.U.R.E. places you in a nonprofit setting focused on global medical relief. You work in areas like Kits for Kids, corporate partnerships, data entry, government relations, marketing, operations, special events, or biomedical support. Your project is matched to your interests and the organization’s needs. You join global health discussions, shadow staff, and interview professionals across departments. The internship is unpaid but can be coordinated for academic credit.

8. Dartmouth Center for Global Health Equity — Student Global Health Internships

Location: Domestic or international partner sites, project-based

Cost/Stipend: Funding caps estimate $3,200 (4–5 weeks), $3,500 (6–7 weeks), $4,000 (8 weeks); actual amount varies with project and location

Application Deadline: February 15 and September 15 annually (project must start at least three months after deadline)

Program Dates: Flexible; minimum 6 weeks in-country commitment for medical students, 4–6 weeks for graduate students, project must begin during the prescribed windows post-deadline

Eligibility: Open to current undergraduate and medical students; must have one term in residence remaining after internship.

The Center for Global Health Equity gives you two options for global health internships. You can join a summer public health internship with one of its overseas partners, or you can take part in a Co-designed, Community-based Internship (CCI), where you build a project together with domestic or international partners. Every CCI project must address a community priority, include a lasting service component, and give you hands-on engagement in research, education, public health, or clinical work, often in underserved populations. 

Depending on your placement, you might run field research, lead public health education, evaluate healthcare delivery, or collect data for planning and interventions. To take part, you need to spend a minimum time in-country, submit weekly reflections, and complete both a written report and a public presentation at the end. Funding depends on project length and is capped at the program’s posted estimates. 

9. Global Health and Education Projects (GHEP) - Public Health 360

Location: Virtual/remote (majority), with some in-person options available

Cost/Stipend: Unpaid

Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; applicants are notified promptly if matched

Program Dates: Flexible (duration varies according to student or program requirements)

Eligibility: Current students or recent graduates; open to individuals pursuing public health or seeking a career shift into public health

GHEP’s Public Health 360 is a virtual internship that prepares you for entry-level public health careers through hands-on, project-based work. You’ll be matched with mentors and work in areas like global health, community health, program planning, science communication, and evaluation. The program is designed to meet academic internship or practicum requirements and focuses on building real public health skills. Most placements are remote, making them accessible to students worldwide. It’s highly competitive, with an acceptance rate under 5%. 

10. WHO Internship Programme

Location: WHO headquarters, regional offices, and country offices worldwide

Cost/Stipend: Living allowance for eligible interns; lunch vouchers at some duty stations; medical and accident insurance provided for the internship duration

Application Deadline: Varies by specific position; opportunities are posted continuously on the WHO Careers site

Program Dates: 6 to 24 weeks, full-time

Eligibility: At least 20 years old; enrolled in or recently graduated (within 6 months) from a relevant degree (e.g., public health, medicine, social sciences); completed 3+ years of full-time university study; fluent in at least one working language of the office

The WHO Internship Programme gives you full-time experience inside the World Health Organization, where you work with global teams on public health, policy, and administration. You’re placed in a specific department like epidemiology, communications, external relations, or health systems, and contribute to real projects that support the WHO’s mission. You might help analyze health data, assist with technical reports, support global campaigns, or observe how international health programs are managed. Internships are offered year-round across the WHO headquarters, regional offices, and country offices.

11. Global Health Institute Scholars Program, University of Arizona

Location: University of Arizona (program may include global travel options, but UA-based coordination)

Cost/Stipend: Funding support available, though full cost coverage is not guaranteed; funding varies by project and scholarship availability 

Application Deadline: Applications open December 15, priority January 31, final March 1

Program Dates: Summer (exact dates depend on individual project and travel timelines) 

Eligibility: Undergraduates registered in the spring semester before participation and during summer/fall; also must meet language or travel document requirements if a project involves international work 

GHI Scholars Program prepares you for global health work through research, service learning, and community engagement. You collaborate with academic institutions and NGOs around the world, either by traveling internationally or joining locally coordinated projects. The focus is on building cultural competence, global awareness, and practical experience in public health. Projects vary by location and partner, including options in Egypt, Mexico, Australia, and other international sites.

12. Internships in Global Health — Princeton Center for Health and Wellbeing

Location: Opportunities in the U.S. and internationally (including multiple partner institutions abroad, such as Brazil, Australia, Malaysia, and Vietnam)

Cost/Stipend: Fully funded; covers airfare, housing, food, local transportation, and incidentals; stipend levels (e.g., $6,000–8,000) may apply, vary by host

Application Deadline: Round 1: December 2 | Round 2: March 23 (tentative, based on previous year’s schedule)

Program Dates: Summer; typically 8–10 weeks

Eligibility: Princeton first-years, sophomores, juniors, and graduate students (programs open to students both within and outside the GHP minor)

The Internships in Global Health at Princeton’s Center for Health and Wellbeing give you a fully funded summer placement to explore global health research and practice. You can be matched with leading institutions in the U.S. or abroad, with projects that may focus on infectious diseases, immunology, clinical interventions, public health policy, or computational modeling. During the internship, you might conduct lab assays, carry out field research, perform policy analysis, engage with communities, or prepare reports and visualizations.

13. Summer Undergraduate Research in Global Health (SURGH), Harvard Global Health Institute

Location: Cambridge/Boston, MA

Cost/Stipend: Fully funded; includes stipend, on‑campus housing, and partial meal plan 

Application Deadline: February 1

Program Dates: Early June through August (10 weeks)

Eligibility: Returning Harvard undergraduates in good standing; all class years eligible, preference to sophomores and juniors

Summer Undergraduate Research in Global Health (SURGH) is a 10-week research program at Harvard where you work with faculty on global health projects. You live on campus with other students and take part in evening academic and social sessions. The program ends with a poster or seminar presentation. Research areas include infectious diseases, mental health, maternal and child health, health systems, and environmental health. You might work on data analysis, literature reviews, field studies, or lab-based research, depending on your placement. Projects are led by Harvard-affiliated mentors from institutions like Ariadne Labs, MGH Enterics Lab, and Mental Health for All.

14. Summer Immersion Program - UC Global Health Institute Center for Planetary Health

Location: University of California, Davis (in-person; also in partnership with CA Dept. of Public Health, etc.)

Cost/Stipend: Stipends ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, awarded equitably and on a limited basis

Application Deadline: February 24 (tentative, based on previous year’s schedule)

Program Dates: Kick-off orientation in May; program runs June through August (tentative, based on previous year’s schedule)

Eligibility: University of California students; selection based on fit and interest in planetary health, conservation, nutrition, policy, agriculture, and related health issues.

The Summer Work Experience Program at UC Global Health Institute Center for Planetary Health (UC Davis) places you in a multidisciplinary setting where global health connects with conservation, agriculture, climate change, food systems, and public health policy. You begin with a kickoff orientation focused on science outreach and stakeholder engagement, then work on applied research projects under mentorship from UC faculty and public agency partners. Projects may involve natural resource management, sustainable farming practices, nutrition, or environmental health. You collaborate with professionals from UC Agriculture and Natural Resources and other host organizations. 

15. Summer Research Fellowship, Center for Global Health, University of Chicago

Location: Chicago, IL (in-person, plus potential time at partnering international research sites)

Cost/Stipend: $5,000 stipend, intended to cover travel, lodging, and in-country expenses 

Application Deadline: January 31

Program Dates: 10 weeks during the summer (typically June–August), plus pre- and post-fellowship orientations and seminars 

Eligibility: University of Chicago undergraduates and graduate students; selection into small teams with mentoring infrastructure

Summer Research Fellowship – Center for Global Health, University of Chicago is a 10-week global health research program where you work on projects in Chicago and at international partner sites. You’re placed in a small team and mentored by both UChicago faculty and local experts abroad. The fellowship includes seminars on research methods, ethics, writing, and presentation skills. You present your findings at a final symposium and can apply for extra funding to attend external conferences. The program focuses on research training, cross-cultural collaboration, and professional communication in global health settings.

One other option — the Lumiere Research Scholar Program

If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.

Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!

Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1–1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.

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