Summer Researchers in Global Health

Summer Researchers in Global Health is a six-week summer internship for rising high school seniors that introduces students to global health concepts and immerses them in challenging, real-life projects. Each summer, qualified students from participating San Francisco Bay Area high schools learn from and work with expert global health researchers at the Institute for Global Health Sciences on the UCSF Mission Bay campus. Due to changing conditions during the COVID pandemic, part or all of the program may need to move online.

Internship Experience

Summer Researchers in Global Health (SRGH) interns participate in the following activities:

• Receive direct mentorship and meet individually with global health experts.
• Develop an independent research project in collaboration with a UCSF expert in one of several critical global health areas, including HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, maternal health, preterm birth, climate change, COVID/emerging infectious diseases, and more.
• Apply practical problem-solving skills to global health research through a variety of methods, including literature reviews, analysis of qualitative interviews, data management and informatics, and support for international policy and research meetings.
• Establish a general understanding of global health through weekly case discussions and group activities led by graduate student instructors.
• Attend lectures and discussions led by epidemiologists, doctors, and other global health professionals.
• Present research findings to UCSF faculty and staff, parents, program peers, and high school faculty at a concluding Project Showcase.

Interns with financial need may qualify for a stipend of $2,000.

During the academic year, UCSF’s global health faculty and staff may present on global health topics at participating schools, by request.

Application Process

The SRGH program seeks to build broad interest in the critical field of global health and encourages applications from high school students with diverse backgrounds. All interns must be rising high school seniors. Previous global health experience is not required.

The ideal SRGH intern:

• Demonstrates academic achievement as indicated by a competitive GPA
• Exhibits enthusiasm about health or social justice
• Possesses excellent communication skills and a strong work ethic
• Has the ability to work both independently and in small groups

The online application asks students to provide the following information:

• Contact information
• A personal statement that describes academic and extra-curricular interests, volunteer or employment activities, and interests in health issues or social justice (in 400 to 600 words)
• Areas of interest in global health
• Unofficial high school transcript