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.
There are three internship sessions:
| Session | Duration | Typical Start an End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | 16 weeks | Mid-January – Early May |
| Summer | 10 weeks | Late May/Early June – August |
| Fall | 16 weeks | Late August/Early September – Mid-December |
A professional Code of Conduct is a set of rules that guides behavior. We are committed to providing a safe, friendly, and welcoming environment at NASA. By participating in an Office of STEM Engagement internship, you agree to abide by our Code of Conduct, based upon the ethical principles of respect, responsibility, honesty, integrity, professionalism, and trust. As an intern in this new professional setting, you should aspire to conduct yourself with respect for others, exhibit the highest ethical standards, and embrace personal integrity.
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.
Selections are contingent upon many factors, so some projects may remain unfilled.
Letters of recommendation are not required as part of the NASA Office of STEM Engagement Internships application.
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!
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.
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.
The majority of interns received a stipend award, which is based on academic level and session duration.
Eligibility and Application Questions
Candidates must meet the following requirements:
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 two times per year—typically around February 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.
NASA wants to get to know you and see your story – so be clear and concise, but elaborate! Your resume is your best opportunity to demonstrate what sets you apart from other applicants. Write your USAJobs resume in a narrative format, where you highlight your accomplishments by using the CAR method (Challenge/Action/Result). Here are some additional tips for building your NASA resume.
NASA prohibits candidates from plagiarizing any portion of their employment application to include responses to questions in which you must provide a narrative response. You must create your own responses originally and not copy or adapt them from other sources. While NASA encourages you to create your narratives with great care, including correct use of grammar and style, you are prohibited from using any artificial intelligence (AI) or AI-assisted tool, to include but not limited to ChatGPT. Any information you provide during the application process is subject to verification. NASA will discontinue your candidacy if we find you have violated this prohibition on use of AI tools in the application process.
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!
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.
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.
Pathways internship appointments are designed to last for multiple semesters until graduation and expire 120 days after you complete your degree requirements.
A Pathways internship may be converted to a full-time civil service position (or, in some circumstances, a term position lasting 1-6 years) within 180 days of successful completion of degree requirements. To be eligible for conversion, an intern must:
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.
A full list of participating countries and contacts may be found at https://www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/nasa-intern-and-fellow-opportunities-for-international-students/. 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.
Internships are offered in three sessions during the calendar year: spring, summer, and fall.
Contact us with any questions.