NASA internship acceptance rate in 2026
<10%
Acceptance Rate
2,000+
Slots Per Year
Tens of Thousands
Applicants
NASA's internship acceptance rate is broadly estimated at below 10%. The agency's Office of STEM Engagement places over 2,000 interns annually across all 10 centers, but tens of thousands apply.
What we know
| Metric | Number |
|---|---|
| Intern slots per year | 2,000+ |
| Estimated applicants | 20,000+ |
| Acceptance rate estimate | 5–10% |
| High school acceptance rate | ~7% |
| SEES program (on-site) | ~4–5% |
NASA does not publish an official acceptance rate statistic. These figures are compiled from reporting by various sources.
What improves your chances
- Apply to less popular centers — JPL and JSC are the most competitive. Langley, Glenn, Stennis, and MSFC have fewer applicants
- Apply early — Sessions fill on a rolling basis. Fall and spring terms are less competitive than summer
- Strong GPA — 3.0 minimum is typical; 3.5+ is competitive
- Research experience — Publications, lab work, or conference presentations
- STEM major alignment — Engineering, physics, computer science, math
- Multiple applications — You can apply to multiple centers and mentors per session
Sessions
| Session | Duration | Competitiveness |
|---|---|---|
| Summer | 10–16 weeks (May–Aug) | Most competitive |
| Fall | 16 weeks (Aug–Dec) | Moderate |
| Spring | 16 weeks (Jan–May) | Least competitive |
2026 hiring freeze impact
NASA is under a significant budget cut and hiring freeze in FY2026 (24% budget reduction proposed). Intern slots may be reduced compared to prior years. Check intern.nasa.gov for the latest availability.
See our NASA careers guide and NASA internship guide. Browse NASA positions on Zero G Talent.
