Home / Research Centers, Institutes, and Labs / Lee Kum Sheung Center for Health and Happiness / Summer Internship Program

The mission of the Lee Kum Sheung Center for Health and Happiness is to build a rigorous and interdisciplinary science of positive health, happiness, and well-being with a focus on health equity, and to translate the science to influence practice and policy.

Email centerhealthhappiness@hsph.harvard.edu

Location

Kresge Building 6^th Floor
677 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 02115

Summer Internship Program

The Lee Kum Sheung Center for Health and Happiness Summer Internship Program is a paid opportunity that offers training and support to a future generation of scholars interested in studying (1) the linkages between physical, social, and mental health, and (2) the translation of science related to these linkages to inform policy and practice.

Applications for the 2025 Summer Internship Program are now open! Applications are due by Monday, February 3rd, 2025, at the latest.

Questions Explored by Summer 2024 Interns

How do school and community connectedness and health promotion behaviors support the health and well-being of schoolchildren in Mumbai, India?
Are there any associations between loneliness and social media use behaviors among adolescents?
How do work experiences and working conditions affect the mental, physical, and social well-being of workers?

Students will be placed with Center researchers and/or Science Affiliates working on projects related to the Center’s mission.

Internship Dates: Monday, June 9th – Friday, August 15th, 2025

Duration of Internship: 20 hours per week for 10 weeks

Note: Once selected, interns can work with their internship host and the Center to extend the internship beyond August 2024, but the work is not to exceed 20 hours/week for 10 weeks in total.

Eligibility

Applicants must be enrolled in a full-time undergraduate or graduate program at an American college or university at the time of application and in the fall of the year of the internship. The internship is open to both Harvard and non-Harvard students pursuing undergraduate (rising seniors only), masters, and doctoral level degrees in relevant fields of public health.
Applicants must be interested in doing research work related to the Center’s mission: to build a rigorous and interdisciplinary science of positive health, happiness, and well-being with a focus on health equity, and to translate the science to influence practice and policy.
International students must have valid CPT/OPT authorization to start the in-person paid internship in June 2024. Additionally, the interns must have an SSN or must have already applied for one.
Prior research experience is helpful, but not required.

Internship Placements

Working with Center Affiliate Scientists, the Center has identified intern host sites that align with the Center’s mission. The Center will match successful applicants with the most appropriate internship sites, ensuring that the needs and interests of both the Affiliate Scientist and the intern are met through the placement. Interns will serve in a research assistant capacity, working with Center scholars or affiliates to collect and/or analyze data. Other possible activities might include providing support with literature reviews, grant writing, and/or the development of repositories of information. We will pair interns with host sites based on their skill set and research interests.

Logistics and Mentorship

The Center will provide mentorship and guidance to interns via weekly meetings and other events over the summer. Ideally, this mentorship will provide interns with a sense of community, opportunities for connecting and networking, and professional development. Internships will take place over 10 weeks (20 hrs/week) from June to August. Interns will receive payment, but not college credit, for their work. The internship will take place in person, so interns will need to relocate/live in Boston for the duration of the internship program. Harvard will not subsidize costs related to relocation or accommodation.

Application Requirements

The application includes:

Curriculum vitae
Academic transcript
Statement of research/academic experience (200-word limit)
Statement of interest (250-word limit)
Letter of recommendation from mentor/advisor (two pages max). Your mentor/advisor should email this letter separate from the application to centerhealthhappiness@hsph.harvard.edu (due by Monday, February 3rd, 2025 at the latest)

Application due date: Monday, February 3rd, 2025

APPLY TODAY

Reporting Requirements

At the conclusion of the program, interns are required to give a ten-minute presentation, and to submit a brief report (two pages max) summarizing their work over the course of the summer. Guidelines for the presentation and report will be shared after interns are selected and placed.

Q: When should I expect to hear back about my application?
- A: We plan to conduct remote interviews with eligible candidates in March and make placement decisions by mid-April.
Q: Should I provide more than one letter of recommendation?
- A: No, please only provide one letter of recommendation.
Q: Do I need to provide an official transcript?
- A: While official transcripts are preferred, unofficial transcripts are acceptable, as long as they are up to date.
Q: What if my university doesn’t provide GPAs?
- A: If that is the case, then please provide your grade average, and explain your university’s grading system in the application form.
Q: I didn’t receive a confirmation email after submitting my application. Does that mean you didn’t receive it?
- A: You shouldn’t expect to receive a confirmation email.
Q: By what criteria are applicants judged?
- A: A number of criteria are considered, including but not limited to interest and experience in the field of positive health and well-being, experience conducting research, and academic excellence.
Q: Do I have to live and work in Boston or the surrounding area for the full term of the internship?
- A: Yes. We believe that a fully in-person experience will allow both interns and hosts to make the most of this experience.
Q: I’m a part-time student. Am I still eligible for this internship program?
- A: Unfortunately, we only consider applications from full-time students enrolled at US-based institutions.
Q: I’m an undergraduate student, but not a current Junior/ Rising Senior. Can I still apply?
- A: Only if you are a Senior who will be graduating in the spring and starting a graduate program in the fall.
Q: If I am graduating in the spring, and am not yet enrolled in a program starting next fall, am I eligible for the internship program?
- A: Unfortunately, no, we require enrollment in a full-time program in the fall of the year of internship, in order for the applicant to be eligible for the internship program.
Q: I’m an international student. Do I need a work visa to participate in this internship?
- A: International students must have valid CPT/OPT authorization to start the internship. Additionally, the interns must have an SSN or must have already applied for one. If you have questions about these requirements, we recommend that you reach out to the International Student Office at your home institution for assistance.