Do you dream to be a part of NASA as your job or career? Do you want to walk through the halls of NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration, be surrounded by rocket models or be around brilliant minds that solve the toughest problems of science and engineering? If yes, then this is what NASA internships offer. For many students this is a dream; to make bold decisions and to contribute to the next NASA projects.
In this blog, you will explore NASA internship for high school students, NASA OSTEM opportunities, summer training engineering program, how to prepare for the internships and many more interesting things.
Why are NASA Internships special?
NASA Internships are very special due to the following reasons:
1. You get to work on real projects and missions that can impact the world
2. You will be trained and mentored by scientists and engineers at NASA who have dedicated their lives to making innovations.
3. Along with you, there will be other interns as well and you will get the opportunity to network with them.
4. NASA is a prestigious agency and therefore after working with them you will always be able to keep on inspiring yourself.
Different Paths to NASA Internships:
There is not just a single path but multiple paths through which you get a NASA internship. These internships and programs are open to a wide range of students. Following are different paths through which you can get NASA Internships
1. NASA Ostem Internships:
The NASA OSTEM (Office of STEM Engagement) program is the getaway for most of the students.
- **a**. The internships through this program are paid, but you can earn while you are learning, which is a great feature.
- **b**. It is available year round, in every season, may it be spring, summer or any other time of the year.
- **c**. This program is open to high school, graduate and undergraduate students.
2. NASA High school Internship:
NASA Internships high school is a great opportunity for high school students as they can work at NASA at an early age and build up their experience.
- **a**. For joining the students should be 16+ and should have a GPA of 3.0
- **b**. They can dive deeper into robotics, lab support, coding and many more related concepts.
The high school internship is an advantage for the student as you can start your career before you have even graduated high school
3. NASA Summer Training Engineering Programs:
The NASA Summer Training Engineering Programs is a great opportunity for engineering students.
- **a**. These program focus on aerospace, computer engineering, and many more
- **b**. Here you might work on propulsion systems, aerodynamics studies, robotics, spacecraft component design and many more
- **c**. This summer internship lasts between 10-16 weeks
4. NASA Computer Science Internships:
NASA Computer Science Internships are very important to learn how to make softwares and other interesting things to support space missions
Intern Projects can include:
- **a**. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) where you have to train AI for autonomous spacecraft navigation
- **b** Cybersecurity for safeguarding mission-critical systems
- **c**. Big Data where you will have to process data from satellites and telescopes
- **d**. Software development where you have to create software and tools for mission control
5. NASA Internship Summer 2026: Plan ahead
If you are interested in doing a NASA Internship then you have to plan ahead and be ready for NASA Internship Summer 2026. You should start preparing now as deadlines open well in advance and the preparation takes a lot of time.
The following steps can help you plan and prepare for the next NASA Internship:
a. Start building your skills by joining any coding, robotics, or engineering clubs. Participate in science fairs or hackathons and work on personal STEM projects.
b. Make sure to keep your grades strong. Try to maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
c. Build experience by contributing to projects. Even small projects like creating an app or volunteering in STEM outreach can show that you take initiatives. Also apply to related internships
d. Keep an eye on the deadlines. Visit the website NASA (.gov)
e. If you are a student outside the US, then you have to plan to target higher education abroad. You can apply for an internship through NASA International Internship Program.
How to apply for a NASA Internship?
1. Visit the NASA OSTEM internship portal
2. Search for internships by field,centre or seasons
3. Prepare your resume
4. Apply early to increase your chances. Especially during summer internships
How to make your application stand out?
For increasing your chances of getting selected you need to make sure that your application stands out. For that, you need to follow the following steps:
1. Tell your story: Talk about why you love space and science. They should know about your passion for space, science and technology
2. Highlight your STEM skills like Coding, engineering projects, etc.
3. Get recommendations from teachers and professors for credibility
4. Show you initiative in various side projects, research papers or even personal coding apps.
FAQ’s
1. Can high school students be interns at NASA?
Ans: Yes they can. They should be 16 or 16+
2. How competitive are NASA Internships?
Ans: They are very competitive as man applicants apply
3. Do I need to be a US citizen to apply?
Ans: Yes most of the times but if you aren’t you can apply through NASA International Internship Program
4. What happens after my internship?
Ans: You might get job offers and that will completely change your career.**