Houston We Have a Podcast. Episode 199. Better Together.
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intern background

INTERN

NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) paid internships allow high school and college-level students to contribute to agency projects under the guidance of a NASA mentor.

pathways background

PATHWAYS INTERN

The Pathways program offers current students and recent graduates paid internships that are direct pipelines to full-time employment at NASA upon graduation. Launch your career with a Pathways internship.

fellow background

FELLOW

NASA Fellowships allow graduate-level students to pursue research projects in response to the agency’s current research priorities.

International Intern background

INTERNATIONAL INTERN

University students from participating countries may intern through the agency’s International Internships Project. Students work with other interns under the guidance of a NASA mentor.

Top Things to Know about NASA Internships

  1. What are the eligibility requirements?

    Candidates must:

    • Be a U.S. citizen.
    • Have a cumulative 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale).
    • Be a full-time student (high school through graduate-level).
    • Be a minimum of 16 years of age at the time of application (no exceptions).
    • Undergraduate and graduate students must be enrolled full-time in a degree-granting program at an accredited college or university. Educators are also eligible to apply.

  2. I have completed my undergraduate degree and am transitioning to graduate school. Am I eligible during this gap period?

    If you have completed your undergraduate degree and are enrolled in graduate school the following semester, you are eligible for an internship during the gap period.

  3. When do internships take place, and when should I apply?

    There are three internship sessions:
    Session Duration Typical Start and End Application Deadline
    Spring 16 Weeks Mid-January - Early May Early November
    Summer 10 Weeks Late May/Early June - August Early March
    Fall 16 Weeks Late August/Early September - Mid-December Early July

  4. What types of projects are available?

    Projects vary at every center each session. Once you complete an application, you will be able to view the available projects for the specified session. You can use filters to locate specific projects that meet your desired geographic location and skill sets.

  5. Are selections made for every project?

    Selections are contingent upon many factors, so some projects may remain unfilled.

  6. Are letters of recommendation required?

    Letters of recommendation are not required as part of the NASA Office of STEM Engagement Internships application.

  7. Will I be asked to conduct an application interview?

    Many project mentors like to conduct phone or video interviews with potential candidates prior to internship selection; however, this is not a requirement. Regardless, make sure that you are checking your phone and email regularly once you have applied to ensure you do not miss a great opportunity!

  8. When will I hear if I am selected?

    Selections may occur any time after you submit your application. You will be contacted if you are considered for a project and will receive an official offer letter via email if selected.

  9. Where will I live while interning? Will I need a car?

    Interns are responsible for making their own housing arrangements. This includes locating their own housing options and paying for their housing. While NASA does not provide housing, we will provide you sufficient time and options to locate housing. Interns will have the opportunity to work at one of NASA's centers located around the country. Many centers will provide resources, such as online forums, where you can connect with other employees to find affordable housing options in the area.

    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.

  10. Are internships paid?

    The majority of interns received a stipend award, which is based on academic level and session duration.

  1. What are the eligibility requirements for Pathways?

    Candidates must meet the following requirements:

    • Be a U.S. citizen.
    • Be at least 16 years of age.
    • Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment on at least a half-time basis in an accredited educational institution and maintain enrollment at least half time as defined by the institution.
    • Be pursuing a degree or certificate.
    • Currently have and maintain a cumulative 2.9 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.
    • Be able to complete at least 640 hours of work prior to completing degree/certificate requirements.
    • Meet any other requirements described in the announcement, such as specific educational requirements.

  2. Where and when are Pathways opportunities announced?

    All of our job postings can be found on USAJobs.gov. Application windows for the Pathways Intern Program open in the spring and fall each year.
    Our application windows open three times per year—typically around February, April, and September.
    In order to be ready to apply, you can visit USAJobs.gov to create your profile, build your resume, and set up a notification that will alert you when our positions open.

  3. Are Pathways interns paid?

    Yes. The starting pay for Pathways interns varies depending on academic hours completed, position location and grade level(s) of the position being filled. Pathways interns are promoted on the basis of academic hours completed and performance ratings.

    In addition to pay and valuable work experience, you may receive the same benefits as a permanent employee. This includes health, life, dental and vision insurance, retirement plan, paid leave, holidays and more. More information on NASA benefits is available here.

  4. How long does the intern appointment last?

    Pathways internship appointments are designed to last for multiple semesters until graduation and expire 120 days after you complete your degree requirements.

  5. What happens when I complete my degree?

    A Pathways internship may be converted to a permanent civil service position (or, in some circumstances, a term position lasting 1-6 years) within 120 days of successful completion of degree requirements. To be eligible for conversion, an intern must:
    • Have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.9 on a 4.0 scale.
    • Complete at least 640 hours of work experience in the Pathways Intern Program before completing degree requirements.
    • Successfully complete all required training and development assignments.
    • Meet the qualification requirements for the position to which the intern will be converted.
    • Receive a favorable recommendation for conversion from the supervisor.
    • Meet all other requirements for the position (e.g., drug testing, security clearance, etc.).

  6. I'm not a science or engineering student. Can I still get an internship at NASA?

    Yes, approximately 25% of Pathways Interns are non-STEM majors. These 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.

  7. What is the NASA work environment like?

    As a Pathways Intern, we invest in you by offering a tailored work experience—assigning you with challenging, meaningful work aligned with your academic or career interests, providing you with life-long learning and growth opportunities, and cultivating a supportive community that offers you a home away from home.

  8. What type of student is NASA looking for?

    Our commonalities unite us as a team, and our differences strengthen our capabilities as an organization. For our Pathways Intern positions, we’re looking for students who are not only captivated with the NASA Vision & Mission, but who are also well-rounded with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences. If you enjoy working on teams and have a willingness to learn new things, we’re looking for you!

  1. Which countries currently have agreements to participate in the I2 program?

    A full list of participating countries and contacts may be found at https://www.nasa.gov/stem/international-internships-for-students.html. If you are a citizen of one of the countries listed and are interested in applying to one of the available research opportunities, please contact the entity in your country currently participating in this program.

  2. Are there any additional requirements?

    Candidates must:

    • Currently be pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) in a field relevant to NASA's mission priorities.
    • Maintain high academic standing.
    • Demonstrate an active interest in the U.S. space program.
    • Communicate proficiently in English.

  3. When do International Internship opportunities take place?

    Internships are offered in three sessions during the calendar year: spring, summer, and fall.

Explore More

NASA Locations

AMES Research Center

Mountain View, California

  • Located in the heart of California's Silicon Valley and less than an hour from San Francisco
  • Known for its cutting-edge research and development work supporting NASA's most important missions
  • Missions encompass everything from designing spacecraft entry systems and next-generation aircraft to harnessing quantum computing for advanced modeling and simulation, conducting research in astrobiology, and influencing the most advanced robotics and human technology

Vandenberg Space Force Base

Lompoc, California

Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Pasadena, California

  • A unique national research facility that carries out robotic space and Earth science missions
  • Developed and manages NASA's Deep Space Network, a worldwide system of antennas that communicated with interplanetary spacecraft

Armstrong Flight Research Center

Edwards Air Force Base, California

  • Best known for its achievements in atmospheric flight research and operations, Armstrong Flight Research Center aims to advance science and technology through flight.
  • Located in the majestic western Mojave Desert, which is less than two hours from the excitement of Los Angeles
  • Led major advancements in the design and capabilities of state-of-the-art civilian and military aircraft, including designing supersonic jets that push the frontiers of flight overhead, as well as sophisticated remotely piloted aircraft that safely detect forest fire hot spots

White Sands Test Facility

Las Cruces, New Mexico

  • The facility tests and evaluates potential hazardous materials, spaceflight components, and rocket propulsion systems.

Johnson Space Center

Houston, Texas

  • Best known as the home of NASA's Astronaut Corps and Mission Control and the nerve center for America's human space program
  • From the early Gemini and Apollo projects to today's International Space Station and Orion projects, Johnson continues to lead NASA's efforts in human space exploration.
  • Serves as the lead for the International Space Station—the U.S.-led collaborative effort of 16 nations that is the largest and most complex human facility ever to operate in space
  • Johnson's 3,100 civil service employees push the boundaries of human spaceflight, biological science, and research into how humans can live and thrive in space.

Michoud Assembly Facility

New Orleans, Louisiana

  • Premiere site for the manufacture and assembly of large-scale space structures and systems

Stennis Space Center

Hancock County, Mississippi

  • NASA's Stennis Space Center sits in picturesque Hancock County on an expansive campus with its own post office, bank, credit union, daycare, fitness center, convenience store, fuel station, and more. It is located less than an hour from the excitement of New Orleans and charm of Biloxi.
  • As NASA's primary rocket propulsion testing ground, Stennis oversees rocket propulsion test services for NASA, the Department of Defense, and the private sector, including the RS-25 engine testing for NASA's Space Launch System, which will take humans deeper into space than ever before.
  • Engaged in a range of scientific research to support NASA's Applied Sciences Program, which will help to build a greater understanding of Earth and the solar system

Marshall Space Flight Center

Huntsville, Alabama

  • Provides multidisciplined engineering expertise for a variety of space transportation and propulsion systems
  • Enables scientific discovery through the development of hardware and instruments for projects, including the Chandra X-ray Observatory, the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, and the Japanese-led Hinode mission to study the Sun
  • Develops and operates major components and systems on the International Space Station while supporting its science operations around the clock
  • Marshall will deliver the systems needed for the Space Launch System, which will be the nation's next advanced heavy-lift vehicle—and the most powerful rocket ever built.

Kennedy Space Center

Merritt Island, Florida

  • Located along the golden shores of Florida's eastern coast, Kennedy's rich legacy includes the assembly, integration and launch of all U.S. human space flight missions, including Apollo and the space shuttle.
  • Home to NASA's Launch Services Program, which launches satellites and robotic missions to learn more about our home planet and to unlock the secrets of the universe
  • Provides support to International Space Station operations as the orbiting laboratory enters its second decade of discoveries
  • Partners with industry as it develops the multi-user Kennedy Spaceport

Katherine Johnson IV & V Facility

Fairmont, West Virginia

  • NASA IV&V assures the safety and success of software on NASA's highest-profile missions.

Langley Research Center

Hampton, Virginia

  • Established in 1917 as the nation's first civil aeronautics research laboratory, NASA's Langley Research Center is located in the Hampton Roads metro area in beautiful coastal Virginia near historical Jamestown and Williamsburg.
  • The center's research, science, and technology development have revolutionized aviation and space flight, and the center continues to fuel NASA's significant contributions in science and engineering.
  • Known for its work on cutting-edge product lines, including advanced materials and structural systems; aerosciences; atmospheric characterization; entry, descent, and landing; intelligent flight systems; measurement systems; and systems analysis and concepts

Wallops Flight Facility

Wallops Island, Virginia

  • Provides launch range services to meet government and commercial sector needs for accessing flight regimes worldwide, to the Moon, and beyond

Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters

Washington, D.C.

  • Oversees the work of the agency's numerous space flight centers, science centers, research centers, and other installations
  • Work includes establishing management policies, procedures, and performance criteria; evaluating mission progress; and analyzing all aspects of NASA programs
  • Responsible for developing the NASA budget and for communicating with the White House and Congress

Goddard Space Flight Center

Greenbelt, Maryland

  • Best known for its leadership in scientific discovery and understanding, NASA Goddard is located between the vibrant cities of Baltimore and Washington, D.C.
  • Home of innovative Earth science, astrophysics, heliophysics, and planetary science, as well as the nation's largest group of scientists and engineers dedicated to using observations from space to expand knowledge of Earth and our solar system
  • Projects include many of NASA's Earth observation, astronomy, and space physics missions
  • Serves as a major U.S. laboratory for developing and operating robotic scientific spacecraft

Goddard Institute for Space Studies

New York City, New York

  • The institute is a laboratory in the Earth Sciences Division of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.
  • Focuses on a broad study of global change, addressing natural and man-made changes in our environment that occur on various time scales

Glenn Research Center

Cleveland, Ohio

  • Located in one of America's most affordable cities, near the birthplace of rock and roll, NASA's Glenn Research Center supports all of NASA's missions and major programs.
  • Glenn's 1,600 civil service employees excel in researching and developing innovative technologies for both aeronautics and space flight.
  • A multitude of NASA missions have included elements from Glenn, from the Mercury and Gemini projects to the Space Shuttle Program and the International Space Station.
  • With its world-class engineers, researchers, and facilities—including wind tunnels, drop towers, vacuum chambers, and aircraft hangars—Glenn is distinguished by its unique blend of spaceflight and aeronautics expertise.

Neil A. Armstrong Test Facility

Sandusky, Ohio

  • Formerly known as Plum Brook Station
  • Located on 6,400 acres in the Lake Erie community of Sandusky
  • Home to several world-class test facilities which perform complex and innovative ground tests for the international space community

NASA Shared Services Center

Hancock County, Mississippi

  • Plays a critical role in NASA's business and financial operations
  • Provides timely, accurate, high-quality, cost-effective, and customer-focused support for selected NASA business and technical services
  • Support a wide range of agency functions, including procurement, financial management, human resources, information technology and business support
AMES Research Center Marker Vandenberg Air Force Base Marker Jet Propulsion Laboratory Marker Armstrong Flight Research Center Marker White Sands Test Facility Marker Johnson Space Center Marker Michoud Assembly Facility Marker Stennis Space Center Marker Marshall Space Flight Center Marker Kennedy Space Center Marker Katherine Johnson Software Independent Verification and Validation Facility Marker Langley Research Center Marker Wallops Flight Facility Marker NASA Headquarters Marker Goddard Space Flight Center Marker Goddard Institute for Space Studies Marker Glenn Research Center Marker Plum Brook Station Marker NASA Shared Services Center Map of the contiguous 48 United States.
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Find
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Nearly 18,000 of the nation's top scientists, engineers, and business professionals work across the United States at our 10 center locations, our Shared Services Center, or one of our smaller test and research facilities.

More Opportunities

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NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars
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Artemis Student Challenges
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NASA MINDS
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NASA STEM
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Frequently Asked Questions

Are the internships paid?

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

Is housing my responsibility if I receive an internship?

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.

When do internships take place?

There are three sessions:

Start Date End Date Total Duration
Fall: Late August/early September mid-December 16 weeks
Spring: Mid-January early May 16 weeks
Summer: Late May/early June August 10 weeks

What types of opportunities are available?

The Office of STEM Engagement opportunities, or internship projects, vary at each center and for each session. You will be able to view the available opportunities for the specified session and centers. You must complete an application for each opportunity to be considered. There are filters available to help you locate specific projects that meet your skill set and desired geographic location or virtual.

Is a Letter of Recommendation required?

The Office of STEM Engagement does not require a letter of recommendation. Because our current application system is designed to meet the needs of many STEM engagement opportunities, it requires this question be answered before you can move to the next page. Please feel free to provide a recommender or use your personal email address to circumvent the requirement. Thanks for your patience.

The "Forgot My Password" link is not sending me the email to reset my password.

If you are a returning user and the "Forgot My Password" link is not sending you the email, email HQ-NASA-STEM-GATEWAY@MAIL.NASA.GOV to request a password reset.

Watch Training Video: How Do I Reset My Password?

When will I hear if I am selected?

Selections may occur any time after you submit your application. You will be contacted if you are considered for a project.

Are selections made for every project?

Selections are contingent upon many factors, so some projects may remain unfilled.

Mentor Access