Get Involved

The Health Systems Innovation Lab’s internship program is developed primarily for highly motivated undergraduate students or students who are early on in their research careers. This program is centered around you, providing structured and individualized mentorship. You will function as a student research assistant within the lab and will graduate from the program with a tangible output (commonly in the form of at least one publication) as well as a new skillset which will assist you in achieving your professional objectives. The experience provides a safe and flexible platform for students to better understand and refine their career purpose, ambitions and long-term goals. You will work alongside students from around the world who have diverse experiences and unique viewpoints which will help to expand your own capabilities when tackling research questions or formulating policy inputs. While most of our students tend to be medical, public health, engineering, and economics students, all students are encouraged to apply. 

*Harvard College students may apply to this program  

*Undergraduate students globally may apply to this program 

The Health Systems Innovation Lab Research Scholars Program is designed for mid-level researchers (graduate level) and clinical residents (in all disciplines) to develop leadership competency in developing and translating recent evidence into policy and practice at the global level. Research Scholars function as core members within the lab and are immersed in a hybrid program of research, teaching and innovation activities within the lab and with our collaborative partner network. 

*Harvard graduate students and Harvard Teaching Hospital clinical residents may apply to this program to conduct their student practicums, independent study or research year(s) 

*Post-doctoral candidates may apply to this program to conduct their research in the capacity of visiting scientists. Successful applications will function as senior Research Scholars within the Lab 

*Graduate students globally may apply to this program 

We take applications three times per year. Applicants should apply between: 

• September 1^st and October 1^st  
• January 1^st and February 1^st  
• May 1^st and June 1^st  

For all positions we ask you to fill out this form which will ask for your details and the following documents: 

• Your most recent CV. 
• A cover letter of up to 400 words detailing what makes you excited about Global Health, Health Systems and/or Healthcare Innovation, why you would like to work with the HSIL, your envisioned goals and activities at the HSIL and any relevant skills and experiences.  
• Any other documents you feel will help us to better assess your prior experiences. 

The goal of the Practicum project is to provide students an opportunity to integrate and apply the public health knowledge and competencies gained in the classroom to a real world public health problem. All professional Masters (MPH) students at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health are required to complete a Practicum project during their program of study, working as individuals or as members of a practicum team. Practicum projects are approved by practice course faculty in a student’s field of study and completed under the supervision of a Preceptor at the host organization.