15 Public Health Summer Internships for Undergraduates
- Stephen Turban
- Sep 19, 2025
- 12 min read
Updated: Oct 13, 2025
Internships in public health offer college students a meaningful way to apply classroom learning to real issues affecting communities. Whether it’s working on disease prevention campaigns, analyzing health data, or assisting with policy research, these opportunities allow you to see how public health connects science, policy, and service. They also give you exposure to urgent issues such as healthcare access, health equity, and the role of technology in improving population health.
For undergraduates, these internships are especially valuable because they help you build practical skills like research design, data analysis (often using tools like SPSS, R, or Excel), communication, and program evaluation. You’ll also gain an insider’s perspective on how public health professionals collaborate across government agencies, nonprofits, and healthcare organizations.
Beyond skill-building, public health internships can strengthen graduate school applications or set you apart when applying for entry-level jobs. They connect you with mentors, expand your professional network, and give you a clearer sense of whether your future lies in epidemiology, global health, health education, or another area of the field.
In this blog, we’ve rounded up 15 public health summer internships for undergraduates that stand out for their structure, mentorship, and impact.
15 Public Health Summer Internships for Undergraduates
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 1-1 personalized internships
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Undergraduate students
Ladder Internships offers flexible online programs for undergraduates wanting to apply their skills in an industry setting. You will be paired with a startup that matches your academic interests. For public health internships, options include health research, communications, and technology. Over 8 weeks, you'll work on projects to support the company's goals and growth. With guidance from a company coach, you’ll co-design and complete various deliverables, culminating in a final project to present to the company's board. Apply now!
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost/Stipend: Stipend of $3,400 plus on-campus housing
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective; 10 students
Dates: 10 weeks in the summer; usually late May through late July
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Rising undergraduate juniors and seniors and recent college graduates (see site for more specifics on enrollment requirements) | Students should be from underrepresented backgrounds, including students of underrepresented races in academia, students with disabilities, students from rural communities, and economically disadvantaged students | Minimum 2.7 GPA
The Michigan FPHLP, funded by the CDC, provides students who may otherwise lack access to advanced research and internship programs with a summer of hands-on work and research in public health. As a participant, you will be assigned a Field Placement at a community organization, government health center, health system, or research center. Under the supervision of an organization preceptor, you will work on a project. Although projects differ by placement, they generally focus on enhancing community health and addressing health disparities in the Ann Arbor area. Typical tasks include data collection and analysis, creating communication materials, and engaging with community members to promote accessible services. At the end of the program, you will develop and present a research poster to your fellow interns and UMich faculty members. You’ll also undertake additional research assignments, community service initiatives, and study a broader public health curriculum under UMich SPH professors.
Location: Center for Public Health Policy, Washington, DC
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: June 1 – August 15 (Summer) | September 1 – December 15 (Fall) | January 15 – May 1 (Spring)
Application Deadline: February 6 (Summer) | June 5 (Fall) | October 6 (Spring)
Eligibility: Current undergraduate and graduate students | While students from all majors are able to apply, applicants should have a demonstrated interest in public health and policy
The APHA Public Health Policy Internship blends research and professional experience, introducing undergraduate students to hands-on work in the public health field. You’ll contribute to initiatives that work to improve public healthcare policy in both the government and private sectors, including enhancing healthcare infrastructure, promoting health equity, and preventing obesity. You’ll learn and apply skills in policy research, data analysis, and professional and press communication by writing issue briefs, developing public health fact sheets, and creating educational materials for both professionals and the public. You’ll also gain additional professional exposure by attending official APHA briefings, committee and partner meetings, and assisting with the Association’s national Get Ready campaign.
Location: Multiple placements available both in the U.S. and internationally
Cost/Stipend: Some interns may receive a living allowance based on financial eligibility | Additional travel funding is provided for some interns from least developed and middle-income countries
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: 6 – 24 weeks; exact dates vary by regional locations and offices. Check the site for regularly updated postings
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Current undergraduate juniors, graduate, and postgraduate students studying a public health or medical field relevant to WHO’s work | Students must be at least 20 years old | For international placements, you must have fluency in at least one of the office’s working languages
The World Health Organization hosts public health summer internships for undergraduates across the world to gain experience in international health and policy. You’ll work at one of WHO’s technical departments on addressing global health questions through approaches from data analysis to policy campaigns. Internships can vary greatly due to the high number of potential placement sites, so it’s important to carefully examine open opportunities to choose ones that best suit your needs. No matter your placement, you’ll gain an inside look into health policy on a global scale and hands-on experience at a prestigious institution.
Location: Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, MA
Stipend: $20/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: Internships are ~3 months in length and held in the fall, spring, and summer
Application Deadline: Approximately 4 months before the internship start date; check the site for updates
Eligibility: Current undergraduate and graduate students with a minimum 2.5 GPA | Students must be attending school in Massachusetts and/or have a permanent residence in Massachusetts
The Massachusetts DPH offers public health summer internships for undergraduates looking to apply their skills in a government administration setting. In this internship, you’ll complete hands-on work supporting Massachusetts' healthcare systems, with a focus on addressing disparities in health services and outcomes based on racial inequities, socioeconomic barriers to care, and other environmental factors. You’ll also attend professional development activities, such as educational workshops on careers in governmental public health, and network with public health officials from across the state. You may also be able to get ahead on coursework requirements, the DPH assists students with obtaining course credit for the internship if accepted by their home institution.
Location: Washington, DC
Stipend: $17.75/hour (undergraduates) or $19.50/hour (graduate students) plus funded travel and supported housing
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective
Dates: June 1 – August 7 (Summer)
Application Deadline: February 13
Eligibility: Current undergraduate and graduate students; limited openings are also available for recent graduates
HACU’s Federal Internship Program places accepted students into internship positions at federal agencies for a policy-focused summer experience. While students may be placed in a variety of federal departments, students looking for a public health summer internship should target HHS or other health-focused agencies. Experiences will vary greatly based on your assignment and administrative priorities at the time of your internship, but interns are expected to do high-level work supporting ongoing federal projects. Outside your internship work, you’ll attend a series of professional development seminars to plan for future careers in fields like federal government, policy, and public health research, as well as additional programming and networking opportunities sponsored by HACU.
Location: APHA Health Policy and Practice Division, Washington, DC
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: June 1 – August 15 (Summer) | September 1 – December 15 (Fall) | January 15 – May 1 (Spring)
Application Deadline: February 6 (Summer) | June 5 (Fall) | October 6 (Spring)
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students studying public health with at least 1 year of prior work experience | Applicants who are fluent in Spanish are preferred
The APHA’s Global Health Internship for undergraduates provides a tailored experience to students hoping to make a positive change in international health and development. In this role, you’ll write articles for APHA’s online platforms, help build relationships with other global health organizations, research and source funding for the Center, and perform other tasks developed based on your skills and interests. You’ll take part in experiences like lunch seminars on global health concerns, attending conferences and seminars in D.C. as an APHA representative, and helping plan the Center’s Annual Meeting. You will also gain valuable networking opportunities by working closely with the Global Health Manager, collaborating with various other APHA Centers, and engaging with international health professionals.
8. Maternal Child Health-Leadership Education, Advocacy, and Research Network (MCH-LEARN) Internship
Location: Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD (Post-Summer events are remote)
Stipend: $5,400
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: May 26 – July 25 | Post-Summer Fellowship events are held from September through May
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Rising undergraduate sophomores and juniors with a minimum GPA of 3.0 | Applicants must live in the Baltimore/Washington Metropolitan area (or be willing to relocate at their own expense for the program)
Funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration, MCH-LEARN provides public health summer internships for undergraduates followed by continued professional development opportunities throughout the following school year. You’ll be matched with a mentor coach to complete a public health research project centered on resolving disparities in child, adolescent, and maternal health, particularly emphasizing individuals with disabilities. You’ll receive additional academic training beyond your research, including regular seminars, career development workshops, and advocacy discussions. At the end of the summer, you’ll present your research at conferences, including Johns Hopkins University CARES Symposium and the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists, and receive additional funding to present at a national conference after the program.
Location: NYU’s School of Global Public Health, New York, NY
Stipend: $5,000 + housing provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 12 students accepted
Dates: June 9 – July 18
Application deadline: February 3
Eligibility: Current undergraduate students and recent college graduates who are U.S. citizens or non-citizen permanent residents
NYU’s PQAR public health summer internships focus on improving healthcare systems for aging individuals through intensive research. In a small-group cohort, you’ll blend quantitative methods with public health data to evaluate elder healthcare systems and propose paths for improved treatment strategies. Geared towards graduate school preparation, you’ll attend application planning workshops, GRE prep strategies, and recommendations for identifying public health PhD programs. To build skills for continued study, you’ll also attend classes on research methods in epidemiology and biostatistics for public health research. At the end of the program, you’ll present your work at a research symposium and stay connected with your cohort throughout the following year in a research journal club.
Location: Massachusetts General Hospital HPRIR Center, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free; unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective
Dates: 12–15 hours/week for two consecutive semesters/seasons (fall/spring/summer)
Application Deadline: Applications accepted throughout the year; contact internship coordinator for details based on preferred seasons
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students in Boston with an interest and background in at least one research focus area
Massachusetts General Hospital’s public health internships for undergraduates hone in on psychological, lifestyle, and chronic health with a focus on illness prevention and healthcare access. The main portion of the internship is an intensive research experience, past projects from public health students have included topics like social and psychological factors affecting cancer survivorship and quality of life. You will also receive training in professional research methods, including writing literature reviews, developing manuscripts, managing databases, and coding for public health research. Keep in mind that although the internship includes a summer session, you must complete your internship either in the spring before the summer or in the fall semester afterward.
Location: Virtual or Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective; ~15 interns
Dates: 8 weeks beginning in June
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Rising undergraduate seniors interested in pursuing careers in global health, mental health, and/or psychology
Students with an interest in public health from a psychological angle can consider Columbia-WHO’s Center for Global Mental Health summer internship for undergraduates. You’ll be assigned to a public mental health research project to focus on during the two-month internship, working under the mentorship of 1-3 Center graduate students and faculty members. To build expertise beyond your individual project, you’ll attend cohort-wide seminar sessions on topics across anthropology, public health, and social work, and learn advanced methods in qualitative and quantitative global health research. To prepare for life after graduation, you’ll join networking events with professional researchers, learn skills for conference presentations, prepare for graduate school applications, and receive guidance on determining your career path.
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Stipend: $3,750 plus fully-funded travel, on-campus housing, transportation, and financial support for meals
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective; 15–20 students
Dates: May 31 – July 26
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors with a minimum GPA of 2.8 | Students must either live in a community/area adversely affected by health inequalities, have experience working in an organization addressing health inequality, and/or have been personally affected by health inequalities (oneself or a family member)
Students with a personal background related to health inequalities can spend the summer working at UMichigan and a local health organization through the SEP-HEALTHSpark public health summer internship program. You’ll be placed at a local community, governmental, or public health organization for a Field Experience, where you’ll work under a mentor to complete a self-directed project supporting the organization's goals in equitable healthcare services. Geared towards students aiming to pursue careers fighting healthcare inequalities, you’ll be mentored by UMich professors and policy advocates to plan for your future career and remain connected with the program alumni network to further your professional development. Outside of your site placement, you’ll take part in academic activities at UMich’s School of Public Health, including weekly specialized workshops with UMich faculty and health policy professionals, a group project analyzing a healthcare case study, and educational sessions on population health in Southeast Michigan.
Location: Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY or Remote
Stipend: Offered; housing and other expenses not covered
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: June 2 – August 8 (10 weeks); 6-week internships within this timeline are also offered in some departments
Application deadline: January 5
Eligibility: Graduates and current students, including undergraduate, graduate, and high school juniors/seniors
Weill Cornell Medicine’s summer internship in Advocacy & Health Policy provides a unique research and training experience for students interested in public health policy and research for children and adolescents. You will participate in advocacy and education efforts aimed at enhancing children’s health outcomes, such as Medicaid, healthcare access, policymaker education, and parent outreach. A professional mentor in health policy or public health will be assigned to provide tailored guidance for your research. Additionally, you will receive training in policy writing, professional communication, career development in public health, and collaborative work with medical practitioners and researchers.
Location: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: $7,304 plus funding for housing and travel
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective; ~20 students
Dates: June 23 – August 22
Application Deadline: Early January
Eligibility: Current undergraduate juniors
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center provides public health summer internships for undergraduates interested in studying global health with a focus on cancer. You’ll be paired with a faculty mentor to conduct a research project on potential cancer triggers, such as lifestyle, environment, and genetics, using data from prevention studies and statistical techniques. Outside of research, you’ll receive guidance on your next steps after graduation, focused on graduate and medical school applications. Professional development workshops cover topics such as preparing a personal statement, graduate school application processes, and conference preparation tips, including writing abstracts and designing research posters.
Location: Harvard Chan School of Public Health, Cambridge, MA
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective, ~10 students
Dates: June 9 – August 15 | Students may be permitted to extend their internship on a case-by-case basis
Application Deadline: February 3
Eligibility: Current undergraduate juniors and graduate students in public health or related fields. Graduating seniors who will be starting a graduate school program the following year are also eligible.
Harvard’s Chan School of Public Health hosts summer internships for undergraduate and graduate students at their Lee Kum Sheung Center for Health and Happiness for a 10-week research-based program. You’ll study the connections between physical, social, and mental well-being, working towards effective policy strategies and healthcare practices to improve the quality of life for individuals around the world. While the host site is at Harvard, interns may be placed at other research institutions in the Boston area based on their research interests. While options vary from year to year, recent research projects have explored connections between working conditions and social health, the impacts of social media use on adolescent mental health, and the evaluation of health promotion strategies for youth in India. You’ll also have networking opportunities within both the Chan School and Boston medical and public health institutions, receive mentorship from Harvard faculty, and attend professional development workshops.
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 Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program in which students work one-on-one with a mentor to develop an independent research paper.
Image Source - University of Michigan logo