DSRTP Frequently Asked Questions

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) through the Office of Minority Health Research Coordination invite students to submit their application for the Summer Research Training Program.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) through the Office of Minority Health Research Coordination invite students to submit their application for the Summer Research Training Program. The overall goal of this 10-week program is to build and sustain a biomedical, behavioral, clinical and social science research pipeline focused on NIDDK mission areas. The program strongly welcomes the participation of individuals with a demonstrated commitment to diversity including those individuals from underrepresented populations, those living with disabilities, or from disadvantaged backgrounds to apply.

These traineeships are available only in the intramural laboratories of the NIH, in Bethesda, Maryland and Phoenix, AZ.

Yes, students who are selected receive a monthly stipend that is based on education level and experience. 

Small stipend supplement may be provided to cover cost of living expenses in Maryland and Arizona.

The NIDDK/DSRTP Program will provide up to $700 to assist with travel expenses. Student must contact Program Director before arranging their travel.

The NIH is unable to provide housing for summer interns. We can offer some information that may help you in finding a place to live. However, any information we provide is just that; it does not constitute advice, nor are we endorsing or approving any companies or services.

Many different hotels and apartments are close to NIH, on an NIH shuttle route, or within walking distance of metro stations, see NIH Clinical Center Visitor website: Hotels and Motels. Previous DSRTP students have stayed at the Monterey Apartment, see NIH CC list for information.

The Moving Guide (PDF, 518 KB)  prepared by the NIH Office of Intramural Training & Education, provides additional suggests for temporary/short term housing.

Students selected for the program usually begin work between end-May or beginning of June through beginning of August. The minimum time commitment is ten weeks, 40 hours a week.

No, vacations are not permitted during the 10-week research experience. All vacations must be taken before or after the program start and end dates.

No, students are expected to conduct research full-time (equivalent to 40 hours per week) in a supervised laboratory or clinical facility.

No. Only citizens, permanent residents and noncitizen nationals of the U.S. are eligible to apply to this program.

Undergraduate students who have completed at least 1 year at an accredited institution.

Yes, those who have graduated, within the one year, from a qualifying educational institution are eligible.

No. However, most summer positions are in research laboratories or research groups with a biomedical focus. You should have successfully completed courses in biology and chemistry. That said, research at the NIH runs the gamut from behavioral and social science through computational biology and biophysics.

Students must have a minimum overall GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).

Yes. All students are required to submit a copy of their health/medical insurance policy to the program director.

At NIH those who meet two or more of the following criteria are defined as having a disadvantaged background:

1. Were or currently are homeless, as defined by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
2. Were or currently are in the foster care system, as defined by the Administration for Children and Families
3. Were eligible for the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program for two or more years
4. Have/had no parents or legal guardians who completed a bachelor’s degree
5. Were or currently are eligible for Federal Pell grants
6. Received support from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) as a parent or child
7. Grew up in one of the following areas:
   1. a U.S. rural area, as designated by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Rural Health Grants Eligibility Analyzer, or
   2. a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services-designated Low-Income and Health Professional Shortage Areas (qualifying zipcodes are included in the file). Only one of the two possibilities in #7 can be used as a criterion for the disadvantaged background definition.

Yes, the application deadline is February 16 at 12:00 (ET).

We recommend that you apply as soon as possible after the application site becomes available in mid-November.

All applications and supporting documents must be received by 12:00 p.m. ET (Eastern Time) on February 16. Applicants will not be able to apply after 12:00 p.m. ET on February 16.

No, you will need to reapply and request new letters from your references.

All letters of reference must be uploaded by 12:00 p.m. ET on February 16.

• Academic reference letters from individuals with a science research background who can speak on your skills in the laboratory, creativity, problem solving abilities, motivation, ability to handle complex scientific literature and concepts, etc. Select academic references who are able to explain why you would be a good addition to a research group.

• Academic reference letters from individuals who can speak from personal knowledge on your academic or professional qualifications for undergraduate study.

• Reference letters from family members and/or friends are never appropriate.

The system-generated e-mail request for a reference letter may have failed to reach your reference for any one of several reasons:

• You may have provided an incorrect e-mail address.

• The message may have been blocked from reaching your reference by a Spam filter.

• Our e-mail server or your reference's may have malfunctioned at the time the message was being sent.

• The message was undeliverable due to other circumstances beyond our control (e.g., your reference's mailbox being full).

If your reference did not receive the original message, you should:

• Check the e-mail address that you provided on your application for your reference and correct it if necessary, then an automated response email will be sent to your recommender.

• Ask your reference to check the folder to which his/her Spam filter diverts suspicious messages. This folder might be called "Junk mail," "Bulk mail," or "Spam."

If your reference still cannot find the message and you suspect there is a technical problem. Your recommender can email the letter to the Program Director, Ms. Winnie Martinez, letters must include a signature authorization.

No, the online application system will accept only two reference letters to be uploaded.

However, for returning DSRTP students, three reference letters are required. For returning students, the third letter of reference must be emailed to the Program Director, Ms. Winnie Martinez from their NIDDK/DSRTP Research Mentor.

You can change a reference if the original reference has not yet submitted a letter on your behalf. After a letter has been submitted, you cannot make such a change. If you replace an existing reference, please notify that individual that you will no longer require his/her assistance.

It is your responsibility to let your original reference know that his/her assistance will no longer be required.

Unofficial transcript must be submitted to Ms. Winnie Martinez, by February 16. Official transcript must be submitted electronically from your institute or university to Ms. Winnie Martinez, one week after notification of acceptance.

Yes, official transcripts must reflect all earned credits and grades through December.

Please list all of your completed courses with grades, as well as the courses that you plan to complete by the end of the academic year. Be certain to include an informative course title rather than just providing the course number.

Program director will contact you by email.

The NIDDK DSRTP Program Director will begin notifying applicants of acceptance into the DSRTP program by email after two weeks of the deadline, this will continue until all available spots are filled. Accepted applicants will be required to confirm their participation within 3-5 days of notification.

Students are expected to:

1. Attend student orientation

2. Attend NIDDK DSRTP Research Symposium

3. Attend NIH Summer Poster Day

4. Meet bi-weekly with OMHRC staff

5. Participate in meetings and seminars in your individual lab

6. Attend weekly research and career development seminars

7. Attend summer seminar series with senior NIH investigators who will discuss the latest developments in biomedical research

8. With preceptor permission, attend formal lectures and symposia, listed in the weekly "NIH Calendar of Events” (only available at the NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland)

9. Get paired with a post baccalaureate or postdoctoral fellow for informal guidance

You might wish to read "Writing Successful Applications for Biomedical Research Training Programs: Advice from the NIH Office of Intramural Training & Education (PDF, 319 KB) ."

Here is a summary of our advice on resumes/CVs (PDF, 856 KB)

For more information on resources for prospective applicants, please visit:

https://www.training.nih.gov/nih_resources