| Research Internship Program |
| Application Information |
Quarter system and duration of internships: Although research internships may begin at any time during the calendar year, the application process is organized on a quarterly system. Internship quarters are defined by the month in which an internship begins, as noted below. Internships are a minimum of 10 weeks in length, to ensure continuity and to allow time for the completion of an independent research project. An internship may begin in one quarter and end in another.
- Spring quarter: an internship beginning in February,
March, or April
Deadline for application—December 1, unless otherwise noted* - Summer quarter: an internship beginning in May, June, or
July.
Deadline for application—February 1, unless otherwise noted* - Fall quarter: an internship beginning in August, September,
or October.
Deadline for application—May 1, unless otherwise noted* - Winter quarter: an internship beginning in November, December,
or January.
Deadline for application—August 1, unless otherwise noted*
*Deadlines for applications for individual internship offerings are listed on the program descriptions page.
Housing: Interns may be placed at the Front Royal, Virginia, campus; or in Washington, D.C., at either the National Zoo or the Smithsonian Mall facility.
- At the Front Royal campus, limited free dormitory accommodations include a private room and communal bathroom, kitchen, and general living spaces. Pets are not allowed on the campus. Living expenses and transportation are the responsibility of the intern.
- Interns placed in Washington, D.C. are responsible for finding their own housing; however assistance is available for interns searching for housing in D.C. Living expenses and transportation are the responsibility of the individual participant.
College credit: Interns may arrange with their university or college to receive credit for their intern experience. It is the responsibility of the intern to ensure that all university or college requirements are met to receive credit.
Stipends and funding opportunities: SNZP-CRC Research Internships
are generally not funded, however, stipends are offered in
special instances. The availability of funding is noted in
the individual program descriptions.
In addition, the Smithsonian Institution has a listing of
several internship stipend programs (such as the Smithsonian
Minority Internship Program) 
online. These
stipend programs are a separate competitive process, and
applicants are responsible for submitting the proper forms
and support materials as required. If funding is provided,
it is important to know that interns may or may not
receive workman’s compensation depending on whether or not
the intern qualifies for a stipend through the Office of
Fellowships. Therefore, it is highly recommended that all
interns have personal insurance before starting their internship.
If you are not covered by workman’s compensation, then
you are liable for any accidents that may occur during your
internship experience. To avoid any complications, please
have personal insurance in case you do not qualify for workman’s
compensation.
