Purpose: The Health Research Training Program (HRTP) of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) offers the opportunity for undergraduate, graduate and professional school students to experience some of the "real life" challenges of public health. By working on current relevant public health issues under the close supervision and mentorship of experienced professionals, students apply classroom learning to practical problems in a closely matched practicum and, in the process, learn critical skills needed to excel in the field. The goals of the program include:

• To orient students to the principles and practices of public health planning, research, administration and evaluation.
• To broaden students' concept of public health by increasing their awareness of the needs, challenges and career opportunities in this field.
• To assist the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene in recruiting skilled, professional candidates with proven potential.

During the Summer, in addition to direct hands on experience, interns are exposed to a rigorous curriculum of seminars, workshops, and other activities to broaden their understanding of how the agency works to promote the health of New Yorkers.

Upon completion of the internship, students are required to submit a 5-8 page paper detailing their experience and project.

Funding: In many cases, financial support is available for HRTP students. HRTP does not providing funding for interns; it is the responsibility of the program to secure funding for their interns. Students who are unable to receive funding usually volunteer.

Eligibility:

• Applicants must be enrolled as a matriculated undergraduate, graduate, or professional student in a degree program at an accredited college or university in the US.
• Recent graduates are not eligible to apply.
• Applicants must be in good academic standing (GPA above 3.0)
• NYC residency is NOT required for the summer session.

Application/Nomination Process: Students are responsible to submit and to ensure application packages are complete by the deadline. Only completed applications will be considered. For more application details and the necessary forms please see the Heath Research Training Program website

It is very important to note that acceptance into the program does not guarantee an internship position. Once accepted into the program, based on your skills, interest, and coursework, your application is “matched” to a project/ mentor/ preceptor. If an applicant is being considered for a project, s/he will be contacted by a preceptor for an interview. After the interview, the preceptor may or may not offer the applicant a position. The stipend for the internship is determined by the program the applicant is accepted by; some programs do not offer paid internships. For more information for project placement, please see the project placement page.