2026 Summer Healthy Food Access Internship

The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) offers a paid internship program for students in undergraduate, graduate, law and medical schools, and we also consider postgraduates. These paid internships offer structured work experiences and an opportunity to:

• Gain substantial knowledge of the policy-making process and the role science plays.
• Participate in group meetings and strategy brainstorming sessions.
• Obtain general research and communication skills by working closely with science, policy, legislative and outreach experts.
• Meet with staff at all levels of the organization to discuss career roles and paths.
• Assess your own interests and skills.

About CSPI

CSPI is one of the nation’s leading public health advocacy organizations with a 50-year record of fighting for science in the public interest and working to improve the food environment for all. We’ve led efforts to win passage of many state and local policies to improve school foods, put calories on chain restaurant menus and menu boards, and remove sugary drinks from children’s menus. National policy successes include the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act; Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act; Food Safety Modernization Act; and Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act.

About the Internship Opportunity

The Healthy Food Access intern will be part of a team that works to strengthen the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP), and the charitable food system to better meet the nutritional needs and preferences of all people seeking food assistance. During their time at CSPI, the intern may work on any of the following projects:

1. Support data collection, qualitative data analysis, and report writing for projects focused on SNAP benefits and fruit and vegetable incentives.
2. Track state-level policies, legislation, and hearings on issues related to SNAP food restriction waivers.
3. Analyze, interpret, and synthesize public health research and conduct literature reviews on Disaster SNAP, immigrant access to SNAP, and broader anti-poverty policies.
4. Contribute to writing and updating SNAP and Healthy Food Banking website resources.
5. Engage in advocacy related to SNAP and the charitable food system in the upcoming farm bill, including attending strategy meetings, drafting action alerts, social media, and/or blog posts as well as supporting planning for lobbying visits with Congressional offices.

The ideal candidate has strong organizational and research skills as well as familiarity with food assistance programs, nutrition incentives, food banks, nutrition policy, and qualitative research experience, and demonstrates a commitment to working on issues central to health equity.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a public health or nutrition graduate degree program (master’s or doctoral)
• Excellent research and writing skills with ability to read, analyze, interpret, and summarize public health and nutrition research
• Experience with qualitative research preferred
• Exceptional attention to detail
• Experience with project management
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and manage tasks appropriately to achieve project goals
• Interest in health equity, nutrition security, and food policy
• Leadership, organizing, or community engagement experience is a plus

What Else You Should Know

CSPI pays interns $17.95 per hour at the start of the internship. Intern pay will increase to $18.40 per hour effective 7/1/2026. Our 10-week summer intern program is full-time (40 hours per week). We provide two paid holidays (Juneteenth and Independence Day), ½ day Fridays, and up to two days of paid sick leave. The ideal start date is late May/early June, but we will work with applicants if there’s a schedule conflict. The internship is remote (must be in the US), with the opportunity to work from our DC office if desired.

As a public health organization, CSPI makes efforts to maintain a safe workplace for employees and visitors. We require all employees to be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines as soon as they are eligible, and the vaccine is available to them. Proof of vaccination is required during the onboarding process.

CSPI on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

CSPI is committed to including and valuing diverse voices and fostering a culture that ensures all staff feel a sense of belonging and are encouraged to be their best selves. In that spirit, each of us is committed to putting in constant work to live up to our organization’s core values:

• We are inclusive. We seek to foster an environment where all staff feel a sense of belonging and are affirmed. We are not looking for everyone to think and look the same. We actively welcome and value staff with different experiences, backgrounds, attributes, abilities, and perspectives.
• We are open. We are honest and direct in how we communicate with each other in order to build trust and integrity within our organization.
• We are accountable. We acknowledge and assume responsibility for our actions.
• We are kind. We communicate and treat one another in a respectful, generous, considerate, and compassionate way.
• We are collaborative. We work together for the common good and shared success.

We provide two paid holidays (Juneteenth and Independence Day), ½ day Fridays, and up to two days of paid sick leave.