NASA Internships 2026
NASA's internship program is open to students from high school through graduate school and spans 10 field centers across the United States — from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA hosts 2,500+ interns annually working on real missions: designing Mars rover components, analyzing satellite data, building flight software, and supporting crewed spaceflight operations. All NASA internships are paid stipends (not hourly wages) and many include housing assistance. The application process runs through NASA's One Stop Shopping Initiative (OSSI) portal, where students apply to specific projects proposed by NASA engineers and scientists.
Program Highlights
Stipends range from $1,000–$1,700/week depending on academic level (undergraduate vs. graduate) and center location
Interns work directly with NASA scientists and engineers on active missions — Artemis, Mars Sample Return, James Webb Telescope, and more
Session options: Spring (January–May), Summer (June–August), and Fall (August–December), each approximately 16 weeks
NASA offers housing assistance at most centers, plus professional development workshops, mentor matching, and poster presentation sessions
U.S. citizenship is required for all NASA internships — no exceptions due to export control regulations (ITAR)
Typical Internship Roles at NASA
Aerospace Engineering Intern — structural analysis, propulsion systems, and flight vehicle design
Software Engineering Intern — mission control software, data processing pipelines, and simulation tools
Astrophysics / Planetary Science Intern — data analysis from space telescopes and planetary missions
Mechanical Engineering Intern — robotics, life support systems, and thermal control for spacecraft
Communications / Public Affairs Intern — NASA media relations, social media, and educational outreach
Data Science / Machine Learning Intern — applying AI to satellite imagery, climate data, and mission planning
Application Tips
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Apply through intern.nasa.gov (OSSI). The portal opens in August for spring, November for summer, and March for fall. Summer is most competitive.
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You apply to specific projects, not just "NASA". Read project descriptions carefully and match your skills to the technical requirements.
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A research-oriented resume works better than a corporate one. Highlight lab experience, academic publications, and technical projects.
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GPA matters more at NASA than at most employers — a 3.0 minimum is required, and competitive applicants typically have 3.5+.
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Letters of recommendation from professors who can speak to your research abilities significantly strengthen your application.
Interested in NASA?
Submit your profile and a PropelGrad recruiter will help you prepare your application for NASA's internship program.