About Us

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) is an independent nonprofit organization authorized by Congress in 2010. Its mission is to fund research that will provide patients, their caregivers and clinicians with the evidence-based information needed to make better-informed healthcare decisions. PCORI is committed to continually seeking input from a broad range of stakeholders to guide its work.

Position Summary

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) is offering Spring Internships to qualified candidates who will support one of our various teams. This paid internship is a part-time, temporary employment opportunity averaging 20-30 hours per week. PCORI does not provide housing for out-of-town residents. All applicants must be eligible to work in the US and located in the US. Interested parties may apply for internships in multiple departments; please include a specific cover letter for each position.

Pay Range and Employment Status:

Interns shall be classified as temporary employees who are hired as interim replacements, to temporarily supplement the workforce, or to assist in the completion of a specific project and who are temporarily scheduled to work for a limited duration. Employment beyond any initially stated period does not in any way imply a change in employment status. Temporary workers are not eligible for PCORI benefits. 

Current undergraduate level students will be paid $18.50 an hour.

PCORI expects interns to engage in a wide array of projects and work-related activities, dependent on the team interns are assigned to. Potential projects may include but are not limited to: 

• Participate in projects that will support programmatic work, and assist with the coordination of high-priority PCORI initiatives; support PCORI's mission to produce high-integrity and evidence-based information; develop a comprehensive characterization of responsiveness to topic themes for funded awards, including identifying where funding opportunities align with specified topic themes
• Gain exposure to characterizing topic theme synergies and forecasting potential synergy opportunities; patient-centered outcomes research (PCOR), the diverse range of stakeholder organizations involved in PCORI, and PCORI's key initiatives to foster stakeholder engagement throughout the research lifecycle; characterizing topic theme synergies and forecasting potential synergy opportunities,
• Build skills in written and oral communication, presentation development and delivery, thematic coding of engagement information, project management, Asana, Excel, SharePoint and data analysis
• Assist with developing reports, presentations, communications, and other resources that support team objectives and decision-making.
• Collaborate with colleagues across departments to support ongoing initiatives, special projects, and organizational events.
• Contribute fresh perspectives and ideas to projects focused on process improvement, innovation, and enhancing organizational effectiveness.

Incumbent(s) in this position may be required to perform other duties and special assignments not specifically stated above.

Statements outlined in this section are designated as essential job functions in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

Required Skills and Experience

• Ideal candidates will be pursuing their bachelors in a Health-focused program
• Proficient in MS Office Suite
• Knowledge or interest in community outreach, qualitative data analysis/synthesization 
• Experience or interest in policy, healthcare, or research priorities of crucial stakeholder communities 
• Experience interning, working, or volunteering for organizations of similar size or scope to PCORI 
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Attention to detail

Application Process:

 Applications for the PCORI Spring Internship Program will be accepted up to 12:00pm on December 31. Applicants who are chosen will be phone screened by PCORI People Strategy and Services. Virtual interviews with relevant intern supervisors will take place on a rolling basis following to People Strategy and Services screening, and will be communicated via email. 

Key Dates:

Internship Application Submission Deadline – December 31, 2026

Summer Internship Start Date – February 8, 2027

Summer Internship End Date – April 23, 2027

Application Instructions:

PCORI will only consider complete applications that include an up-to-date resume. 

PCORI conducts background checks on all applicants.