The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is now accepting applications for its 2027 Paid Internship Program, offering students an incredible opportunity to work alongside leading scientists, engineers, researchers, and space professionals on real NASA missions. These highly competitive internships provide hands-on experience in space exploration, aeronautics, Earth science, technology, artificial intelligence, engineering, communications, business, and many other career fields.
NASA internships are designed to prepare the next generation of innovators by providing meaningful work experience, professional mentorship, and exposure to cutting-edge research that supports NASA’s mission of exploring the unknown and advancing scientific discovery.
About the NASA Paid Internships Paying Students to Work on Real Space Missions Applications Open for 2027
NASA offers two major internship pathways for students:
Both programs allow students to contribute directly to NASA projects while developing valuable technical and professional skills.
OSTEM Internships
OSTEM internships provide short-term, paid learning experiences where students work on real NASA projects under the guidance of experienced mentors.
These internships are available during:
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Pathways Internship Program
The Pathways Internship Program is a longer-term developmental program designed for students interested in pursuing federal careers with NASA after graduation.
Internship Benefits
Selected interns receive numerous benefits, including:
- Paid internship opportunity
- Hands-on experience on real NASA missions
- Work alongside NASA scientists and engineers
- Professional mentoring
- Technical and career development
- Resume-building experience
- Networking with NASA professionals
- Exposure to cutting-edge research
- Opportunities across multiple NASA centers
- Pathway toward future federal employment (Pathways Program)
Internship Areas
NASA offers opportunities across numerous disciplines, including:
- Aerospace Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Computer Science
- Artificial Intelligence
- Machine Learning
- Robotics
- Software Engineering
- Cybersecurity
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Data Science
- Earth Science
- Environmental Science
- Space Science
- Astronomy
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Communications
- Journalism
- Public Affairs
- Human Resources
- Finance
- Business Administration
- Project Management
- Graphic Design
- Information Technology
- Education
- Procurement
- Law
- Policy
- Accounting
Both STEM and non-STEM majors are encouraged to apply.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the OSTEM Internship Program, applicants must:
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Be at least 16 years old at the time of application
- Have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Be enrolled as a full-time or part-time student in an accredited U.S. college, university, or technical institution
- Undergraduate, graduate, and certificate students are eligible
- Recent graduates may apply for internships offered within the three sessions immediately following graduation
For the Pathways Internship Program, applicants must:
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Be at least 16 years old
- Have a minimum GPA of 2.9
- Be enrolled at least half-time in an accredited educational institution
- Have completed at least 15 semester hours (or 23 quarter hours)
- Be able to complete at least 480 hours before graduation
- Be pursuing a degree aligned with NASA workforce needs
Internship Duration
OSTEM
- Summer: 10 weeks
- Spring: 15 weeks
- Fall: 15 weeks
Pathways
- Minimum of 12 weeks
- Duration varies according to degree program
NASA Internship Application Deadlines
Spring 2027
Application Deadline: September 14, 2026
Summer 2027
Application Deadline: February 26, 2027
Fall 2027
Application Deadline: May 21, 2027
Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications as early as possible.
Internship Locations
Internship opportunities are available across NASA centers throughout the United States, including:
- NASA Headquarters
- Johnson Space Center
- Kennedy Space Center
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory (where applicable)
- Goddard Space Flight Center
- Ames Research Center
- Glenn Research Center
- Langley Research Center
- Marshall Space Flight Center
- Armstrong Flight Research Center
- Stennis Space Center
- And many additional NASA facilities
Assignments vary depending on project requirements.
Skills You’ll Develop
Interns gain valuable experience in:
- Research
- Engineering Design
- Programming
- Artificial Intelligence
- Data Analysis
- Scientific Investigation
- Problem Solving
- Technical Communication
- Project Management
- Team Collaboration
- Innovation
- Leadership
Why Apply?
NASA internships provide one of the world’s most prestigious student work experiences. Participants contribute to missions involving:
- Moon exploration
- Mars exploration
- Earth observation
- Climate science
- Space technology
- Robotics
- Aeronautics
- Satellite systems
- Artificial Intelligence
- Advanced computing
Many former NASA interns have gone on to become engineers, researchers, mission specialists, entrepreneurs, and leaders across government and industry.
How to Apply
Interested students should create an account through NASA’s internship application platform, complete their student profile, upload the required documents, browse available internship projects, and submit applications before the relevant deadline.
Applicants should prepare:
- Resume
- Academic transcript
- Personal information
- Educational history
- Relevant skills and experiences
Additional documents may be requested depending on the internship opportunity.
Why Choose NASA?
Working at NASA means becoming part of an organization that continues to shape the future of humanity through scientific discovery and technological innovation. Whether your passion lies in engineering, computing, communications, science, or business, NASA offers meaningful opportunities to develop your career while contributing to missions that inspire the world.
Conclusion
The NASA Paid Internship Program 2027 offers students a remarkable opportunity to gain hands-on experience while contributing to real space missions and groundbreaking research. With paid positions, expert mentorship, and exposure to world-class projects, these internships provide an exceptional foundation for future careers in science, technology, engineering, business, and beyond. Students interested in launching a career with one of the world’s most respected organizations are encouraged to apply before the application deadlines.
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