NASA internships in 2026: OSTEM, Pathways, JPL, and how to apply
NASA offers 2,000+ internship positions annually across three programs: OSTEM (the main program), Pathways (the pipeline to federal employment), and JPL's Caltech-managed program. Each has a different application process, pay structure, and career outcome. Understanding which to apply for — and when — is more than half the challenge.
OSTEM internships (the main program)
NASA's Office of STEM Engagement runs the largest NASA internship. You apply through STEM Gateway (stemgateway.nasa.gov), select up to 15 preferred projects, and mentors browse applicant profiles to select interns.
2026 deadlines:
| Session | Deadline | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Summer 2026 | February 27, 2026 | June 1 – August 7 (10 weeks) |
| Fall 2026 | May 22, 2026 | ~16 weeks |
| Spring 2027 | ~October 2026 | TBD |
Eligibility: US citizen, 3.0+ GPA, enrolled in college. No letters of recommendation required.
Pay: Undergraduate $8,200/10 weeks ($20.50/hr), graduate $9,900 ($24.75/hr). Up to $1,000 relocation allowance.
How selection works: OSTEM is not a centralized admissions process. Individual NASA mentors (engineers and scientists who volunteer to host interns) browse the applicant pool and contact candidates directly. Many mentors conduct informal phone interviews before selecting. The system is first-come-first-reviewed — applying early matters.
Pathways Program (pipeline to permanent employment)
Pathways is fundamentally different. Pathways interns are federal employees who earn GS pay with full benefits and can convert to permanent NASA positions upon graduation — no need to re-compete on USAJobs.
Three tracks:
- Intern Employment Program (IEP): Current students. Work while enrolled. Non-competitive conversion to permanent GS position after graduation.
- Recent Graduates: Completed degree within 2 years. 1-year developmental program.
- Presidential Management Fellows: Advanced degree holders. 2-year leadership track.
How to apply: Posted on USAJobs.gov (not STEM Gateway). Announcements close in 3-5 days. Summer/Fall 2026 Pathways were open February 23-27, 2026. Set up alerts now.
Pay: GS-3 to GS-7 depending on education level, plus full federal benefits (health, dental, vision, retirement, paid leave).
Most students only know about OSTEM. Pathways is harder to find (USAJobs, not STEM Gateway) and windows are extremely short (3-5 days). But Pathways is the only internship that directly converts to permanent federal employment without competing on USAJobs. If you want a NASA career, Pathways is the highest-value target. Create your USAJobs account now and set alerts for "NASA Pathways."
JPL internships (Caltech-managed)
JPL operates separately because it's managed by Caltech, not NASA directly. JPL interns are Caltech employees — different pay, different portal, no federal employment pipeline.
JPL Summer Internship: 10 weeks, STEM fields, 3.0+ GPA. Deadline: March 13, 2026. Apply at jpl.nasa.gov/edu/internships/apply.
SURF@JPL: More research-oriented. Students co-write a research proposal with a mentor. $9,600/10 weeks (~$24/hr). Joint program with Caltech.
Context: JPL has undergone four rounds of layoffs since January 2024 (1,400+ positions eliminated). The internship program continues, but conversion to full-time is more uncertain than in previous years.
NASA intern pay vs. the competition
| Employer | Undergrad Pay | Housing | Conversion Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| NASA OSTEM | ~$20.50/hr | Up to $1K relocation | No direct pipeline |
| NASA Pathways | GS-3 to GS-7 ($28K-$43K + locality) | Federal benefits | Non-competitive conversion |
| JPL | ~$24/hr | None standard | Uncertain (layoffs) |
| SpaceX | $28–$40/hr | Relocation stipend | 70-85% |
| Blue Origin | ~$32.75/hr + $1,200/mo housing | $1,200/mo | 42% |
| Boeing | ~$29.10/hr + $2,500 lump sum | $2,500 | 83% |
| Northrop Grumman | $20.75–$40/hr (SW: $40/hr) | Varies | 76% |
| Lockheed Martin | ~$30.90/hr | None | 91% |
SpaceX and Blue Origin pay 40-95% more than NASA OSTEM. NASA's value proposition: mission prestige, Pathways conversion, clearance opportunities, and work that doesn't exist anywhere else.
8 tips that improve your odds
Apply the day the window opens. Mentors start browsing immediately. Late applications go to the bottom of a large pile.
Research specific projects. Name mentors and projects you're interested in on your STEM Gateway profile. "I want to work on the Artemis avionics integration team at JSC" beats "I want to work at NASA."
Apply to less competitive centers. Glenn, Stennis, and Langley get fewer applications than JSC, KSC, or JPL. Getting in at any NASA center gives you a credential that helps with subsequent applications.
Try spring or fall first. Summer is overwhelmingly the most competitive session. Spring and fall have fewer applicants, and returning interns get preferential treatment.
3.0 GPA is a hard cutoff. Not a suggestion — below 3.0, your application is automatically filtered out.
Answer unknown phone numbers. Mentors often call for informal interviews. Missing a call can cost the spot.
Apply to both OSTEM and Pathways. They're different programs with different portals. Apply to OSTEM on STEM Gateway and set USAJobs alerts for Pathways simultaneously.
Build projects. Science fairs, rocketry clubs, robotics teams, hackathons, and personal engineering projects strengthen your profile. Mentors want evidence of initiative beyond coursework.
Browse NASA positions or compare with SpaceX internships ($28-$40/hr, 70-85% conversion), Lockheed Martin internships, or Northrop Grumman internships (2,000+ spots, $40/hr for software). For full NASA career guidance, see our NASA careers guide or NASA salary breakdown.
