$4,000 UCLA Public Health Scholars Internship

The UCLA Public Health Scholars Training Program, run at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health as one of the CDC John R. Lewis Undergraduate Scholars Programs, brings about 30 undergraduates and recent graduates from across the US to Los Angeles for eight weeks in summer 2027. Scholars spend three days a week interning with a community partner organisation and two days in public health training on the UCLA campus. No public health background is needed and every major is welcome.

What you get:

• A $4,000 stipend, paid in two installments, subject to completing the program
• Free housing in the UCLA campus dorms, with a breakfast and dinner meal plan
• A Metro TAP card for Los Angeles public transit
• Travel to and from Los Angeles arranged by the program for scholars who live more than 300 miles from UCLA
• Public health training, workshops and mentorship at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health

What you'll do:

• Intern in person three full days a week at a Los Angeles partner organisation chosen by the program team (130 to 160 hours over the summer)
• Attend public health training on campus at UCLA on Mondays and Fridays
• Work in a small group on a public health topic of your choice and present a research poster at the program showcase
• Join evening and occasional weekend events, and a virtual orientation before the program starts

Key dates:

• Applications open November 1, 2026 and close January 31, 2027 at 11:59pm PST
• Virtual information sessions on November 6, 2026 (10 to 11am PST) and December 3, 2026 (3 to 4pm PST)
• Applications reviewed in February 2027
• Group interviews over Zoom in mid-March 2027
• Final decisions sent by the end of March 2027
• Program runs June 20 to August 14, 2027 in Los Angeles

More information:

• Application details, checklist and a PDF copy of the full application are on the program's Apply page
• Two letters of recommendation are required, from an academic or professional referee, and must arrive by January 31, 2027
• Essays must be your own: the program prohibits generative AI for essay responses

• By June 2027: a community college graduate or transfer to a four-year institution, a current four-year student with at least two years of undergraduate education completed, or a recent graduate (Fall 2026 or Winter/Spring 2027) not accepted to a graduate program
• US citizen, US national, permanent resident or DACA recipient
• Authorised to work in the US
• Attending a US or US territory institution (international students at US schools are not eligible)
• Have not taken part in another CDC Lewis Scholars Program (formerly CDC CUPS)
• Able to be in Los Angeles in person for the full program, June 20 to August 14, 2027, and live in the UCLA dorms
• Not enrolled in any other program, summer school or job during the program
• No GPA requirement and no public health major or experience required
• Essays, two letters of recommendation, an unofficial transcript and a 1 to 2 page resume