Medical Internship and Global Health Research Opportunities in Georgia

The 2025-2026 winter internship program is now open! Master’s degree and/or Ph.D. students from around the world are invited to apply and use the possibility to develop advanced research skills, meet leading experts in the field and/or become a co-author of a scientific paper. This program offers a unique chance for students worldwide to immerse in global health policy projects, advancing research skills.

Project Overview: Burden of Hypertension and Diabetes

Curatio International Foundation (CIF) is conducting research to strengthen the evidence base on the health and economic burden of uncontrolled hypertension and diabetes in Georgia. These two non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are among the leading causes of morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs in the country. The project focuses on developing an epidemiological decision model to quantify disease progression, complications, and economic consequences associated with uncontrolled hypertension and diabetes. The research aims to support data-driven decision-making and inform future policy actions to improve chronic disease control and financial protection. This work contributes to CIF’s broader portfolio on health systems performance and health financing reforms in Georgia.

Internship Focus and Research Areas

The 2025-2026 internship program will center on conducting a structured literature review—using scoping review or similar methodologies—to synthesize and extract data relevant for the modeling of uncontrolled hypertension and diabetes. Interns will work on the following areas:

• Disease Complications and Epidemiology: Identify and extract data on the frequency and probabilities of disease complications such as stroke, myocardial infarction, chronic kidney disease, heart failure, and amputations.
• Methodological Approaches for Burden Estimation: Review global and regional studies assessing the disease burden of hypertension and diabetes and identify analytical frameworks applicable for Georgia.
• Data Extraction for Economic Analysis: Extract key epidemiological and cost parameters needed to estimate DALYs, productivity losses, hospitalization costs, and mortality impact.

The Intern’s Role

CIF intends to engage two interns in this work, one focusing on hypertension and the second on diabetes. Interns will work closely with CIF researchers and contribute to the ongoing study by conducting comprehensive literature searches using academic databases like PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. They will be screening, reviewing, and summarizing scientific and grey literature based on defined inclusion/exclusion criteria while extracting and organizing relevant data into standardized evidence tables. Interns are expected to contribute to scientific publications and explore a spectrum of topics in Health Policy and Systems Research, including health systems strengthening and health financing.

About Curatio International Foundation (CIF)

CIF is a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization with a mission to improve health through health policy and systems strengthening. CIF’s work is underpinned by three core values: hearing needs; building on local strengths; and delivering innovative, context-specific solutions. Since its establishment in 2010, CIF’s Internship Program has become a global hub, attracting over 30 international interns from prestigious universities like JHU, Washington University, NYU, and LSHTM. CIF’s national and international professional staff and researchers work locally, regionally and internationally to improve the functionality of health care systems and to better inform health policy decision making.

Clinical Opportunities: TSMU Summer Internship

In addition to research programs, the Summer Internship Program for students at Tbilisi State Medical University has successfully concluded. Approximately 100 TSMU students took part in the internship, gaining valuable clinical skills across various fields of medicine. Over the course of three weeks, they engaged in diverse clinical and practical activities, participated in disease management and enhanced their abilities in patient communication and teamwork.

UK Medical Internship & Postgraduate Opportunities

For those wondering about their career path after MBBS, the UK Medical Internship and PG Opportunities Seminar in Tbilisi, Georgia, offers vital information. If you are interested in doing your medical internship in the UK after MBBS or considering postgraduate options, don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights. Choosing the right career pathway demands focus and understanding, and this event serves as a launchpad for future success.

Summary of Medical Programs

• CIF Winter Internship: Focuses on Epidemiological and Economic Burden research; aimed at Master’s and Ph.D. students.
• TSMU Summer Internship: Focuses on clinical skills and disease management; involved approximately 100 students.
• UK Medical Seminar: Focuses on postgraduate pathways and internships in the United Kingdom for MBBS graduates.