Lori Meadows
NASA is an attractive prospect for students looking to pursue a career in space exploration. The agency offers a variety of internships and fellowships for students to gain practical work experience and contribute to NASA's mission. However, for international students, the path to working at NASA is not always straightforward due to citizenship restrictions. While some opportunities are exclusively for US citizens, there are still options for non-US citizens through the NASA International Internship (I²) program. This program seeks to foster a diverse workforce by providing global talent with opportunities to work on international missions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Internship opportunities for international students | NASA International Internship (NASA I²) |
| Requirements | Pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) |
| Maintaining high academic standing | |
| Proficiency in English | |
| Nominated by NASA I² foreign partners | |
| Expertise and background in technical areas of interest to NASA | |
| Citizenship of participating countries | |
| Work opportunities for international students | Agreement with the International Space University (ISU) |
| Work with NASA through a private aerospace company | |
| Work with NASA through a partnership between NASA and the student's home country |
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What You'll Learn
- International students can apply for NASA internships if they are sponsored by their home country
- NASA internships are competitive awards to support educational opportunities
- International students must be pursuing a degree in a STEM-related field
- Students enrolled in the ISU's Master of Space Studies or Management can apply to work on NASA projects
- NASA's work-study program is a starting point for a career at NASA
International students can apply for NASA internships if they are sponsored by their home country
International students seeking internships at NASA face several restrictions due to their citizenship status. Most of NASA's official internship programs, like NASA Pathways, are only open to US citizens. However, international students can explore alternative pathways to secure internships at NASA.
One option is the NASA International Internship (NASA I²) program, which is specifically designed for international students. This program seeks to prepare students for working in a global environment and on multicultural international missions. To be eligible for the NASA I² program, international students must be nominated by their home country or a designated foreign partner of NASA. Each partnering country first identifies an appropriate office or agency, typically a national space agency or other governmental entity, to administer the NASA I² program. Therefore, interested students should contact the relevant entity in their country to inquire about available research opportunities and application procedures.
Additionally, international students enrolled in the International Space University's (ISU) Master of Space Studies (MSS) or Master of Space Management (MSM) programs may apply to work on NASA projects at selected NASA centers for 3-6 months. These opportunities are based on availability and agreed-upon projects between NASA and the ISU.
It is worth noting that NASA internships are not limited to STEM fields. While most internships focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, NASA also offers opportunities for non-STEM majors in areas such as human resources, communications, and finance. Therefore, international students with diverse academic backgrounds can still explore internship possibilities at NASA.
Furthermore, international students should also explore opportunities beyond NASA. The international space industry is thriving, presenting prospects with private aerospace companies and government-supported space programs in their home countries or partnering nations. These avenues may provide valuable experience and connections in the space industry, even if direct employment with NASA is restricted.
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NASA internships are competitive awards to support educational opportunities
NASA internships are highly competitive awards that provide unique educational opportunities for students and educators. These internships are designed to offer hands-on, mentor-directed experiences that contribute to NASA's operations and mission advancement.
The NASA International Internship (NASA I²) program is specifically tailored to prepare students for working in a global environment and on international missions. This program is open to non-US citizens who are nominated by NASA's foreign partners and are pursuing a degree in a STEM-related field. Each partnering country identifies an office or agency, such as a national space agency or governmental partner, to administer NASA I² within their borders.
For students who are US citizens, NASA offers a range of internship programs through its Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM). These internships are available for high school and college-level students, providing them with practical work experience alongside research scientists, engineers, and professionals from various fields. The Pathways program, a part of OSTEM, offers paid internships that serve as direct pipelines to full-time employment at NASA upon graduation.
NASA also provides fellowship opportunities for graduate-level students to pursue innovative research projects that align with NASA's mission. These fellowships are focused on generating measurable research results and providing technical skills to master's and Ph.D. students.
Overall, NASA internships and fellowships offer a unique chance for students to gain valuable experience and build their resumes while contributing to the advancement of science, technology, aeronautics, and space exploration.
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International students must be pursuing a degree in a STEM-related field
NASA offers a wide range of internship programs for students, including international students. However, most of NASA's official internship programs, like NASA Pathways, are only open to US citizens. International students interested in working at NASA should periodically check the agency's internship homepage for new events and search the STEM Gateway for opportunities based on citizenship requirements.
The NASA International Internship (NASA I²) program is specifically designed for international students and seeks to prepare students for working in a global environment and on multinational missions. To be eligible for the NASA I² program, international students must be pursuing a degree in a STEM-related field, such as science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. This requirement is different from some other NASA internship opportunities, which also encourage non-STEM students, such as those majoring in human resources, communications, or finance, to apply.
International students must be nominated by NASA I² foreign partners to participate in the project. Each partnering country first identifies an appropriate office or agency, usually a national space agency or other government partner, to administer NASA I² in that country. International students can also check if their home country has a space agency that partners with NASA. If so, they can apply for internships through that agency.
In addition to the NASA I² program, international students enrolled in the International Space University's (ISU) Master of Space Studies (MSS) or Master of Space Management (MSM) programs may apply to work on NASA projects and research at selected NASA centers for 3-6 months. These opportunities are based on availability and arranged through the ISU.
While NASA does hire foreign nationals, it is limited to citizens of specific countries. Therefore, international students should also explore opportunities with private aerospace companies, which may have more flexible hiring restrictions. Additionally, many universities across the US and some international universities partner with NASA, so students can consider pursuing education at these institutions to increase their chances of working with the agency.
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Students enrolled in the ISU's Master of Space Studies or Management can apply to work on NASA projects
While NASA typically requires employees to be US citizens, there are still opportunities for international students to work on NASA projects.
Students enrolled in the International Space University's (ISU) Master of Space Studies (MSS) or Master of Space Management (MSM) programs may apply to work on NASA projects and/or research that benefits NASA at selected NASA centers. ISU students are assigned to a NASA center for a period of 3-6 months, where they work on projects agreed upon by NASA.
The NASA International Internship (NASA I²) program also offers international students the opportunity to gain experience working in a global environment and on multicultural international missions. This internship is available to citizens of specific countries, pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) in a topic relevant to NASA's mission priorities.
Additionally, NASA offers various internship and fellowship programs that may be open to international students. These include the Pathways program, which provides paid internships that can lead to full-time employment at NASA, and the NASA Fellowships, which offer graduate-level students the chance to pursue research projects that contribute to NASA's mission.
While direct employment at NASA may be restricted to US citizens, international students can still gain valuable experience and contribute to NASA projects through internships, fellowships, and collaborations with the International Space University.
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NASA's work-study program is a starting point for a career at NASA
NASA offers a variety of internship programs that provide a great starting point for a career at the agency. NASA's work-study (co-op) program, known as the Pathways program, offers current students and recent graduates paid internships that can lead to full-time employment at NASA. Interns gain valuable work experience and professional development, working alongside mentors from NASA on agency projects. These internships are available to both STEM and non-STEM majors, with opportunities across the STEM spectrum for undergrads, graduate students, postdocs, and faculty.
The NASA International Internship (NASA I²) is another program that prepares students to work in a global environment and on multicultural international missions. This internship is available to citizens of specific countries who are pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in STEM.
In addition, NASA offers fellowships to graduate-level students, allowing them to pursue innovative research projects that contribute to the agency's mission. These fellowships provide an opportunity for students to obtain technical skills and career competencies while being exposed to NASA's innovative culture.
NASA's Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) also provides paid internships for high school and college-level students, allowing them to gain practical work experience and contribute to the advancement of science, technology, aeronautics, and space exploration.
Through these various internship and fellowship programs, NASA offers a unique opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience, build their skills, and launch their careers in a dynamic and innovative environment.
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Frequently asked questions
NASA does hire international students, but not from all countries. International students can apply for the NASA International Internship (NASA I²) if they are sponsored by their home country.
The NASA International Internship (NASA I²) is a program that seeks to prepare students to work in a global environment and on multinational missions. The internship sessions are arranged in three sessions during the calendar year (spring, summer, and fall).
To be eligible for the NASA International Internship (NASA I²), interns must be pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in a STEM-related field and must have expertise and a background in technical areas of interest to NASA. Proficiency in English, both oral and written, is also required.
International students can increase their chances of working with NASA by first checking if their home country has a government-supported space program or partnerships with other countries that do. Many universities, both in the US and internationally, also partner with NASA, so it is worth exploring those connections. Additionally, students currently enrolled in the International Space University's (ISU) Master of Space Studies (MSS) or Master of Space Management (MSM) programs may apply to work on NASA projects at selected NASA centers.
