The Center for Science in the Public Interest offers a paid internship program for students in undergraduate, graduate, law and medical schools, and we also consider postgraduates. This internship opportunity has no minimum education requirement and those with community-based experiences are encouraged to apply. These paid internships offer structured work experiences and an opportunity to:

• Develop and strengthen skills in project planning, outreach, relationship building, communication practices, and presentation and facilitation. 
• Participate in group meetings and strategy brainstorming sessions.
• Meet with staff at all levels of the organization to discuss career roles and paths.
• Assess your own interests and skills.
• Have the opportunity to work closely with and learn from research, policy, and outreach experts.

About CSPI

The Center for Science in the Public Interest, your food and health watchdog, 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 Engagement and Capacity Building Team at CSPI helps to bolster the organization’s vision of an equitable and accessible food system by working directly with partners in communities to center those most impacted by injustices in the food system. The Engagement Team is vital in advancing CSPI’s policy work through building, supporting, and sustaining partnerships with grassroots organizations working on the ground in their communities across the country. CSPI’s Resource Hub serves to build the skills, knowledge, and capacity of CSPI grantees, current and emerging partners, and networks through coordinated webinars, trainings, and resources. The intern will support the ongoing capacity-building initiatives including the development of various resources and learning opportunities housed within CSPI’s Resource Hub. The ideal candidate has familiarity with public health and/or nutrition policy and an expressed commitment to working with diverse communities and on issues central to advancing racial equity and is dedicated to reducing systemic barriers to health. 

Qualifications

• Expressed and demonstrated interest in nutrition, advocacy, health equity, public health, public policy or community engagement 
• Commitment working in BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and other diverse communities
• Comfortable taking initiative and working remotely
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and manage and organize tasks appropriately to achieve project goals
• Proficiency with MS Office applications, including Word and PowerPoint

What Else You Should Know 

CSPI pays interns $17.00 per hour. Intern pay will increase to $17.50 per hour effective 7/1/2024. Our 10-week summer intern program is full-time (40 hours per week). We provide two paid holidays, ½ day Fridays, and up to two days of paid sick leave. The ideal start date is May/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. 

https://www.idealist.org/en/nonprofit-internship/e47f4d557741409ea47c355edf7a68a0-2024-summer-capacity-building-engagement-internship-center-for-science-in-the-public-interest-washington?utm_source=symplicity&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=listings-api