Click on Apply below to begin your application. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis, and mentors will select candidates as projects become available. 

Exciting Opportunities!

The mission of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) is to understand how environmental factors affect human health across the lifespan and to use that knowledge to improve public health. The Health and Extreme Weather (HEW) Intramural Scholars Program is a new initiative designed to support NIEHS’s mission by training early-career scientists to conduct innovative research within the NIH Intramural Research Program (IRP).

This program supports the NIEHS HEW initiative, which focuses on the health effects of emerging environmental threats, including air pollution, wildfire smoke, temperature-related stressors, and other physical exposures. The HEW Intramural Scholars Program provides fellows a training experience in these high-priority areas, offering fellows access to world-class research facilities, mentorship, and professional development.

The primary objectives of this program are to: 1) Train the next generation of environmental health scientists; 2) Build research capacity in areas related to health and extreme weather; 3) Promote cross-institutional collaboration and strengthen the research pipeline; and 4) Accelerate scientific discovery on the health impacts of emerging environmental threats. This program will support the training of fellows in collaboration with participating NIH investigators.

What will I be doing?

As an HEW Intramural Scholar, you will:

• Engage in research projects aligned with HEW priorities
• Collaborate with the broader scientific community
• Contribute to scientific manuscripts and presentations
• Engage in professional development activities, including grant writing, leadership training, and cross-disciplinary collaboration
• Attend workshops and scientific symposia

Why should I apply?

Under the guidance of a mentor, you will have the opportunity to engage in an experiential STEM research participation program and receive exposure to advanced technology and tools. This opportunity provides a platform to connect with professionals in your field and will provide an educational, real-world experience which can enhance your career path. You will also have the opportunity to develop your research skills.

Where will I be located?

Primary location: One of the NIH Institutes and Centers (IC) in the NIH Intramural Research Program.

What are the provisions?

Participants will receive:

• A competitive stipend determined by NIH NIEHS
• Health insurance allowance 
• Potential reimbursement for training-related travel and conference attendance

What is the length of the appointment?

• Appointments are for one year with a potential to be renewed.
• Start dates are flexible and coordinated with the selected candidate.

When are selections made?

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and opportunities are filled as qualified candidates are identified.

Nature of the Appointment

This program, administered by Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).  Participants do not become employees of NIH, NIEHS, ORAU, ORISE, DOE, or any other agency, and there are no employment-related benefits. Instead, the participant will be affiliated with ORISE for the administration of the appointment through the ORISE appointment letter and Terms of Appointment.

While participants will not enter into an employment relationship, this opportunity will require a suitability/background investigation by NIH. Any offer made is considered tentative, pending favorable outcome of the investigation.

To be eligible, you must have earned your Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctoral degree (e.g., PhD, MD, DDS, or equivalent) within the past five years from the appointment start date in one of the relevant fields listed below. Current undergraduate and graduate students who expect to complete their Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctoral degree by the start date of the appointment, are also encouraged to apply. Proof of the degree will be required prior to the start date.

U.S. citizens, U.S. Legal Permanent Residents (LPR), and Foreign Nationals, subject to specific restrictions, are eligible to apply for the program. Applicants must be able to meet the security and access requirements of NIH. 

You must also be able to pass a federal background check. We strongly encourage you to carefully read the full terms and conditions. Ignoring this information could prevent you from taking part in the program.

A complete application consists of:

• Complete Zintellect profile

• Complete Application questions 

• Current Resume/CV, including academic history, employment history, and relevant experiences

• Transcripts/Academic Records - Submit a copy of your most recent official transcript. For this opportunity, an unofficial transcript or copy of the student academic record printed by the applicant or by academic advisors from internal institution systems may be submitted to complete the application requirement, if you do not have a copy of your official transcript at the time of application. The transcript or academic record must include the name of the academic institution, name of the student, courses completed/in progress, grades and degree expected/awarded. A copy of your official transcript and/or letter showing proof of your degree may be required prior to starting the appointment. All transcripts must be in English or include an official English translation.
• One (1) Academic or Professional Recommendation - Applicants are required to provide contact information for at least one recommendation in order to submit the application.  Recommenders will be asked to complete a recommendation through the Zintellect system and must complete it before the application is considered complete.  Applications without a completed recommendation will not be reviewed.  The recommendation should address a candidate's academic record, scientific capabilities, personal characteristics, and potential for success.  The recommendation must be submitted through the Zintellect application system. Recommendations submitted via email will not be accepted.    

All documents must be submitted via Zintellect, and must be in English or include an official English translation. All application components must be received in the system in order to be considered. Documents must have all social security numbers, student identification numbers, and/or dates of birth removed (blanked out, blackened out, made illegible, etc.) prior to uploading into the application system.  Incomplete applications will not be considered. Supporting materials must be uploaded as PDF files to ensure the document can be searched by Zintellect’s search engine. Documents sent by email, postal mail, or fax will not be considered.  

If you have questions, send an email to NIHprograms@orau.org. Please include the reference code (NIH-NIEHS-HEW-2026-0001) for this opportunity in the subject or body of your email. 

Connect with ORISE...on the GO! Download the new ORISE GO mobile app in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to help you stay engaged, connected, and informed during your ORISE experience and beyond!

• Degree: Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, or Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or currently pursuing.
• Discipline(s):
  • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (5 )
  • Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (2 )
  • Environmental and Marine Sciences (1 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (26 )
• Age: Must be 18 years of age

I affirm that I have received my Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctoral Degree (e.g. PhD, MD, DDS, or equivalent) within the last 5 years or will complete it before the start date of the appointment.