2025 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 charitable food system, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and other food safety net programs to better meet the nutritional needs and preferences of all people seeking food assistance. During their time at CSPI, the intern will work on a research project to assess food donation practices of retailers. The intern will support data collection through key informant interviews, qualitative data analysis, report writing, and general coordination and assistance with the project.

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

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist the team in identifying and coordinating interviews with key stakeholders
• Provide research assistance to support data collection through key informant interviews and qualitative data analysis
• Support the development of well-written, persuasive materials, such as reports, fact sheets, letters, talking points, and social media
• Develop agendas and support coordination of the National Nutrition, Policy, & Food Banking workgroup
• Help with organizing and keeping track of project tasks, timelines, and deliverables to ensure deadlines are met
• Support the development of a coordinated strategy to engage state legislators

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 and project management skills
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and manage tasks appropriately to achieve project goals
• Interest in nutrition security, food policy, and health equity

What Else You Should Know

CSPI pays interns $17.50 per hour. Our 10-week spring intern program is part-time (10 hours per week). The ideal start date is late January/early February, but we will work with applicants if there’s a schedule conflict. The internship program is remote within the US, with the opportunity to work from our DC office if desired.

CSPI requires all employees, including paid interns, to be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines as soon as they are eligible, and the vaccine is available to them, as part of our efforts to maintain a safe workplace for employees and visitors. 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.