National Environmental Public Health Internship Program (NEPHIP)

National Environmental Public Health Internship Program (NEPHIP) is sponsored by CDC. A 400-hour internship linking environmental health students with placements at qualified state, tribal, local, and territorial environmental public health agencies.

This internship is designed to allow students to gain a firsthand perspective on the day-to-day responsibilities of environmental public health professionals, make invaluable connections with those working in the field, and consider careers working in state, tribal, local, or territorial environmental public health agencies following graduation. Acceptances and matching are anticipated to be completed by the end of July 2026.

Fall session internship experiences will begin in September 2026 and be completed by the end of December 2026. Learn more about the program and application process by viewing our Informational Session here . Students interested in future internships can complete our interest form and we will contact you when the application opens.

$6,000 for undergraduate and $8,000 for graduate environmental health student interns through funding from CDC for a 400-hour internship to cover lodging, food, and incidental expenses Students who relocate for an in-person internship experience will be offered an additional need-based relocation allowance starting at $500 Participation in a series of environmental health professional career mentorship sessions with current environmental health professionals working in state, tribal, local, or territorial health agencies Professional development learning sessions provided by our staff Sustained support for promoting internship work through publications and media A one-year NEHA student membership To be considered for placement in NEPHIP, students need to provide: The complete application.

Their most recent resume to be uploaded with the application. An unofficial transcript, to be uploaded with the application. Please black out personal information such as social security number, student identification number, and address prior to submission.

The PDF Letter of Recommendation form from a faculty member of the EH program at the EHAC-accredited academic institution. A letter may be substituted if preferred. To be considered as an intern for this program, students need to: Attend an environmental health academic program that is accredited by the National Environmental Health Science and Protection Accreditation Council (EHAC) for undergraduate or graduate programs.

Be a current sophomore, junior, senior, or graduate student at the time the application is submitted and have completed at least one full year of academic training with most courses in environmental health focus areas. Be enrolled as a student during the internship. Students who will graduate prior to the internship session will not be eligible to participate.

Have active health insurance. International students are eligible to apply. To allow flexibility for students, NEPHIP now offers the internship experience via virtual, in-person/on-site, or hybrid formats depending on student and host program needs.

Projects are open to a wide variety of environmental public health issues and program needs identified by environmental public health host sites. Review our NEPHIP Student Guide for project examples and considerations. Our staff will match the selected interns with the host environmental public health programs based on geolocation preferences, interests, and professional goals that align with opportunities at the host program.

NEHA cannot guarantee the preferred placement. All arrangements for the internship, including start and end dates, work hours or timesheet, sick policy, etc. should be made by the academic program in partnership with the intern and host program mentor to meet academic guidelines and requirements.

For the student to receive funding, we must receive signed documentation that internship arrangements have been approved by the academic program, student, and host program. Review the NEPHIP Student Guide to understand what is expected.

The CDC's Water, Food, and Environmental Health Services Branch is providing funding to support environmental health undergraduate and graduate college students currently enrolled in a National Environmental Health Science and Protection Accreditation Council (EHAC) accredited institution in internships at state, tribal, local, and territorial environmental public health agencies.

NEPHIP Student Guide | PDF Intern Terms of Agreement, pages 10-12 Project Guidance, pages 13-14 Details for Health Departments | Webpage National Environmental Health Science & Protection Accreditation Council, EHAC | Webpage