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. 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 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

The Center for Science in the Public Interest, America’s 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. CSPI led efforts to win passage of many state and local policies to improve school food, remove sugary drinks from children’s menus, and require calorie labeling on chain restaurant menus.

About the Internship Opportunity

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Nutrition Assistance Program (NAP), and food banks all make up part of our country's nutrition safety net. SNAP is the largest federal food assistance program and is proven to help alleviate food insecurity, lift millions out of poverty, and reduce healthcare spending. NAP in a fixed block grant program for Puerto Rico and other US territories that do not participate in SNAP. The healthy food access intern will be part of a team that considers food safety net priorities for U.S. territories that participate in NAP and will also assist with federal legislation tracking for SNAP and food banks. The ideal candidate has familiarity with public health and/or nutrition policy, demonstrates a commitment to working in diverse communities and on issues central to advancing racial equity, and is dedicated to reducing systemic barriers to health.

What Else You Should Know

CSPI pays interns $15.20 per hour. Our 10-week spring intern program is part-time, and interns will work 10 hours per week. The ideal start date is the beginning of February 2022, but we will work with applicants if there’s a schedule conflict. The spring internship program is remote as CSPI is still a work-from-home office.

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.

To Apply

Please utilize CSPI's Paylocity Applicant Tracking System to apply for the Spring 2022 Healthy Food Access internship. Please answer the application questions and submit a resume and references. The application deadline is December 17, 2021 and estimated start date is early February 2022.

CSPI is committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills and encourages people of diverse ages, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, disabilities, religions, races, ethnicities, socioeconomic statuses, work, and life experiences to apply.