Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) Summer 2019 Internships

CSPI Summer 2019 Internships

The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) is a non-profit health-advocacy group based in Washington, DC, that focuses on nutrition and food safety.  CSPI publishes Nutrition Action Healthletter, one of the nation’s largest‑circulation health newsletter, and has led efforts that resulted in healthier diets, more-nutritious school foods, safer foods, and more honest food labeling.  CSPI provides objective information to the public and represents citizens’ interests before legislative, regulatory, and judicial bodies.  CSPI is supported largely by subscribers to Nutrition Action Healthletter, individual donors, and foundation grants.

CSPI offers unpaid internships on a full-time and part-time basis each summer and during the school year. We provide a collegial work environment and flexible schedule to accommodate intern academic responsibilities and work-life balance. If the intern’s school offers academic credit for internships, we will work with the intern to meet his or her school’s requirements.  We also reimburse interns up to $5/day for commuting expenses. 

We currently have summer internships available in each of the following projects.  We recommend that interested candidates view the internship page of CSPI’s website to learn more about our program.  

Nutrition Action Healthletter Internship

CSPI has been promoting healthy diets for more than 40 years, and has had a profound effect on the way Americans eat.  As part of its mission, Nutrition Action Healthletter (NAH), one of the nation’s largest-circulation nutrition newsletters, helps shape the national conversation on sound nutrition by translating the best-available science into advice for the public and healthcare professionals, and ultimately into recommendations for legislatures, government agencies, and industry. Interns assist with a variety of projects related to upcoming articles, especially collecting information about packaged and restaurant food online, by phone, and in supermarkets; entering nutrient data into spreadsheets; transcribing interviews, and preparing recipes. Applicants should have strong research and communications skills as well as an eye for detail. An interest or coursework in nutrition or dietetics is preferred.

Policy Internship

The Policy department works on national, state, and local policies related to nutrition and health.  Some of the current issues include the Farm bill, community food systems, food additives, restaurant kids' meals, food marketing to children, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and healthy retail. Projects may involve conducting research for policy analysis and development, tracking legislation and regulations, grassroots organizing to support state and local policy, and assisting in federal policy advocacy. Applicants should have excellent research, writing, and verbal communication skills; and a strong college-level science, communications, public policy, or public health background. Intern application should include a writing sample (1-2 pages).

Regulatory Policy and Labeling Internship

We’re searching for bright, hardworking law and policy/science graduate-level students to work on food safety, antibiotics use in animal agriculture, food additives, labeling, policy reform and government oversight of the food supply. The work involves policy and legislative analysis, litigation and regulatory filings as well as research and advocacy related to corporate practices. Projects may involve conducting research for policy analysis and development, tracking regulation and legislation, analyzing caselaw, and assisting with ongoing litigation and policy advocacy. The ideal applicant has a strong interest and background in advocacy. Applicants are encouraged to submit a non-technical writing sample (i.e., a news or opinion article, persuasive essay, report, policy paper, or other writing targeted at a lay audience) in their application.

Application materials should include the following: 

1. A cover letter indicating issues of interest, future plans, and dates of availability.

2. A résumé. Experience with advocacy groups is advantageous.

3. Writing sample, if required by the specific project (one-to-three-page document that demonstrates your ability to write in a clear and concise manner).

Email application materials to: hr@cspinet.org and include department preference in subject line.