NASA internship: complete guide to the application process
A NASA internship places you on-site at one of 10 NASA centers, working on active missions alongside NASA engineers and scientists. The agency offers over 2,000 intern positions annually through three distinct programs, each with different application portals, pay structures, and career outcomes.
The three programs
OSTEM (the main program)
The Office of STEM Engagement runs NASA's largest internship program through STEM Gateway (stemgateway.nasa.gov). You apply online, select up to 15 preferred projects, and NASA mentors browse applicant profiles to select interns.
Key details:
- Eligibility: US citizen, 3.0+ GPA, currently enrolled in college
- Pay: Undergraduate ~$20.50/hr ($8,200/10 weeks), Graduate ~$24.75/hr ($9,900/10 weeks)
- Relocation: Up to $1,000 allowance
- No letters of recommendation required
- Selection: Mentors individually review and contact candidates — apply early
2026 deadlines:
- Summer 2026: February 27, 2026
- Fall 2026: May 22, 2026
- Spring 2027: ~October 2026
Pathways (pipeline to federal employment)
Pathways interns are federal employees who earn GS pay with benefits and can convert to permanent NASA positions upon graduation — no competing on USAJobs.
Three tracks:
- Intern Employment Program (IEP): Current students, work while enrolled
- Recent Graduates: Completed degree within 2 years, 1-year program
- Presidential Management Fellows: Advanced degrees, 2-year leadership track
How to apply: Through USAJobs.gov (not STEM Gateway). Application windows are extremely short — 3 to 5 days. Summer/Fall 2026 Pathways were open February 23-27, 2026.
JPL (Caltech-managed)
JPL operates separately because it's managed by Caltech. JPL interns are Caltech employees with different pay and benefits.
JPL Summer Internship: 10 weeks, 3.0+ GPA, deadline March 13, 2026. Apply at jpl.nasa.gov/edu/internships/apply.
SURF@JPL: Research-oriented. Students co-write research proposals with mentors. $9,600/10 weeks.
Most students only know about OSTEM. Pathways is harder to find (USAJobs, not STEM Gateway) and windows are extremely short. But Pathways is the only NASA internship that directly converts to permanent federal employment without competing on USAJobs. If you want a NASA career, create your USAJobs account now and set alerts for "NASA Pathways."
How to maximize your chances
Apply the day the window opens. OSTEM mentors start browsing immediately. Late applications end up at the bottom of a large pool.
Research specific projects. On your STEM Gateway profile, name the mentors and projects you're interested in. "I want to work on Artemis avionics integration at JSC" beats "I want to work at NASA."
Target less competitive centers. Glenn (Cleveland), Stennis (Mississippi), and Langley (Virginia) get fewer applications than JSC, KSC, or JPL. Any NASA center on your resume helps with future applications.
Apply for spring or fall. Summer is overwhelmingly the most competitive session. Spring and fall terms have fewer applicants, and returning interns get preference.
Apply to BOTH OSTEM and Pathways simultaneously. They're separate programs with separate portals. There's no conflict in applying to both.
Answer unknown phone calls. OSTEM mentors often call candidates for informal interviews. Missing the call can mean losing the opportunity.
What a NASA internship pays vs. industry
| Program | Pay | Housing | Career Pipeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| NASA OSTEM | ~$20.50/hr (undergrad) | Up to $1K relocation | No direct pipeline |
| NASA Pathways | GS-3 to GS-7 + federal benefits | Federal benefits | Non-competitive conversion |
| JPL | ~$24/hr | None standard | Uncertain (layoffs) |
| SpaceX internship | $28-$40/hr | Relocation stipend | 70-85% conversion |
| Northrop Grumman | $20.75-$37.25/hr | Health + PTO | 76% conversion |
| Lockheed Martin | $22-$38/hr | Varies | ~90% (CLP) |
| Blue Origin | ~$32.75/hr + $1,200/mo | Housing stipend | 42% conversion |
NASA internships pay less than industry alternatives, but the value proposition is different: mission access that doesn't exist anywhere else, the NASA credential on your resume, and (for Pathways) a direct pipeline to permanent federal employment with FERS pension and benefits.
Which NASA center to target
| Center | Focus | Intern Competitiveness | 2026 Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|
| JSC (Houston) | Human spaceflight, mission control | Very high | Protected (Artemis) |
| KSC (Cape Canaveral) | Launch operations | High | Protected (Artemis) |
| MSFC (Huntsville) | Propulsion, SLS | High | Protected (Artemis) |
| JPL (Pasadena) | Robotic missions, planetary science | Very high | Impacted (layoffs) |
| Goddard (Greenbelt) | Earth science, satellites | Moderate | Impacted (46% cuts) |
| Ames (Mountain View) | Aeronautics, astrobiology | Moderate | Impacted (35% cuts) |
| Glenn (Cleveland) | Propulsion research | Lower | Impacted (40% cuts) |
| Langley (Hampton) | Aeronautics, structures | Lower | Impacted (39% cuts) |
| Stennis (Mississippi) | Propulsion testing | Lowest | Impacted (39% cuts) |
For the best career outlook, target Artemis-linked centers (JSC, KSC, MSFC). For the best acceptance odds, target Glenn, Langley, or Stennis.
Browse NASA positions, or see our detailed NASA internships guide with 2026 deadlines. Compare with SpaceX internships ($28-$40/hr, 70-85% conversion), Lockheed Martin internships, or Northrop Grumman internships (2,000+ spots). For NASA career paths, see our NASA careers guide.
