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NASA Internship Programs

At NASA, we explore the extraordinary every day and our work is more than just a profession—it’s a lifelong pursuit and a passion. NASA offers several opportunities for students to undertake meaningful and challenging projects that truly make an impact on humanity.

Quick Facts

Explore the Extraordinary

NASA’s internship programs provide training, mentoring, and career development opportunities while working with the best science, engineering, financial, information technology and business minds in the world.

NASA astronaut Mike Hopkins on a spacewalk with International Space Station and fellow spacewalker visible in helmet visor

Internship

NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) paid internships allow high school and college-level students to contribute to the agency’s mission to advance science, technology, aeronautics, and space exploration. 

OSTEM internships offer students an opportunity to gain practical work experience while working side-by-side with mentors who are research scientists, engineers, and individuals from many other professions. Internships may be full time or part time; and, they may be on a NASA center or facility, or even working from your home or dorm.

Join our NASA team and gain valuable on-the-job experience, build your resume, and strengthen your career readiness. We offer three sessions annually, so visit our website often for opportunities.

Explore Our Opportunities
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Click Here to Apply Now

Eligibility at a Glance

RequirementsOSTEM InternPathways InternInternational Intern
Citizenship U.S. CitizenU.S. CitizenCitizen of a country with a current agreement
GPA 3.0 on a 4.0 scale2.9 on a 4.0 scaleMaintain high academic standing
Enrollment Be a full-time student (high school through graduate-level) or a part-time college-level student enrolled in a minimum of 6 semester hours.
 
Current educator
A degree or certificate seeking student who is currently enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an accredited educational institution on at least a half time basis
 
Have completed at least 15 semester hours or 23 quarter hours
 
Be able to work at least 640 hours before completing degree/certificate requirements
Pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) in a topic relevant to NASA’s mission priorities
Other Must be 16 years old at time of applicationAt least 16 years old at the time of appointmentDemonstrate an active interest in the U.S. space program
 
Communicate proficiently in English

A common misconception is that NASA only offers engineering internships. Please know that we have opportunities for students who are not majoring in engineering. NASA needs employees with a variety of knowledge and skills. At NASA, our engineers, mathematicians, scientists, accountants, writers, IT specialists, project managers, program analysts, and many other professionals work together to break barriers to achieve the seemingly impossible. Non-engineering interns may support a variety of business and program management work, including procurement, budgeting, accounting, information technology, and security.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

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The majority of interns receive a stipend award, but there are some volunteer opportunities noted in project descriptions.

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Interns are responsible for making their own housing arrangements. This includes locating their own housing options and paying for their housing. Centers may be able to offer minimal assistance by providing a list of local available housing and/or establishing a private social media group for interns to utilize for relocation planning purposes.

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The Office of STEM Engagement does not require a letter of recommendation.

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Your center location and housing options will determine if you need a car. At most centers, unless you find housing within walking distance, you will most likely need a car. However, there are ample public transportation options at some centers

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Yes! Interns may support a variety of business and program management work, including human resources, administration and program analysis, accounting and budget, communication and public relations, procurement and contracts, information technology, security, and education. No matter your academic major, you’ll find that NASA is a place where you’ll belong to a supportive community that values your background, perspective, and life experiences.

My Path to NASA

Astronauts are often the face of NASA, but our workforce is made up of all kinds of professionals. We are scientists, engineers, IT specialists, human resources specialists, accountants, writers, technicians and many other kinds of people working together. No matter what your strengths are, there's a place at NASA for you!

Astronaut Jessica Watkins with crossed arms smiling towards the camera, standing in front of the Mission Control Screens.

Jessica Watkins

Jessica Watkins, a former JPL intern turned NASA astronaut, made her first trip to the International Space Station as part of the agency's SpaceX Crew 4 mission.

Male taking a selfie in front of the NASA logo smiling towards the camera.

Christian Taubenberger

Intern to published scientist in under a year, Christian Taubenberger interned with the Cryospheric Sciences Laboratory through the summer of 2020 and then spring of 2021 on the same project.

Female holding virtual reality goggles on top of her head, smiling towards the camera, standing in front of a space rover.

Michelle Vo

At NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, UCLA student Michelle Vo applied her talents to VR and AR experiences that help scientists explore a totally different world.

Female smiling in front of camera.

Brittany Nez

As a NASA Glenn Research Center intern, Brittany Nez was part of a tight-knit community of Native American engineers. At the University of Colorado Boulder, she works in the assembly, integration, and testing phase of the CANVAS satellite mission.

“After years of constant hard work, setbacks, and dreaming about the future, I finally made it to NASA!”

Andrea Lasta

Armstrong Flight Research Center Intern

Launch your Future with NASA

Explore intern opportunities to your full-time career at NASA.

Apply Now about Launch your Future with NASA
An intern working on a space suit