2026 Fall Healthy Food Access Internship

Description

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), the charitable food system, and other food safety net programs to better meet the nutritional needs and preferences of all people seeking food assistance. The Healthy Food Access team is seeking an intern to support policy research, advocacy, and coalition work focused on protecting and strengthening the charitable food system and SNAP. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

• Conduct a literature reviews on the charitable food system and disaster food assistance 
• Monitor and track state and federal legislation related to policy priorities, including SNAP restrictions and farm to food bank  
• Research and track state evaluation plans for SNAP restriction waivers
• Support the Nutrition, Policy, & Food Banking workgroup including coordinating speakers and outreach to members
• Support the planning of hill visits and in-person convening

Qualifications 

• Currently enrolled in a public health, nutrition, or related 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 
• Exceptional attention to detail
• 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 $18.40 per hour. Our 10-week spring intern program is part-time (10 hours per week). The ideal start date is late August/early September, 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. 

To Apply 

Please utilize CSPI's Paylocity Applicant Tracking System to apply for the Fall 2026, Healthy Food Access Internship. You must submit a resume, cover letter, and two professional references (upload a doc with the reference information). The deadline to apply is August 7, 2026, but applications will be considered on a rolling basis.
 

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.