NASA Spring 2027 OSTEM Internships: Apply for Paid NASA Internship Opportunities Before September 14, 2026

NASA has opened applications for its Spring 2027 Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internship Program, offering students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience by contributing to real NASA projects and working alongside NASA professionals.

For students interested in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, space exploration, aeronautics, research, communications, business, and other fields relevant to NASA’s mission, the OSTEM program can provide valuable practical experience, professional development, and exposure to one of the world’s leading space and science organizations.

The application deadline for the Spring 2027 NASA OSTEM Internships is September 14, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.

Applicants should therefore review available opportunities, confirm their eligibility, prepare their application materials, and submit their applications before the deadline.

About the NASA OSTEM Internship Program

NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) runs internship opportunities designed to give students practical experience connected to NASA’s missions.

According to NASA, the OSTEM program provides students with short-term, hands-on opportunities to work on real NASA projects. Interns can develop technical and professional skills while receiving guidance and mentorship from NASA personnel.

NASA provides more than 2,000 students annually with opportunities through its OSTEM internship program.

The program is therefore more than a conventional academic internship. Selected students have the opportunity to gain experience in a professional environment and contribute to projects connected to NASA’s broader work in science, technology, aeronautics, and space exploration.

What Is the Spring 2027 NASA OSTEM Internship?

The Spring 2027 OSTEM internship is part of NASA’s annual internship cycle.

NASA operates three major OSTEM internship sessions each year:

• Spring
• Summer
• Fall

For the Spring 2027 cycle, applications must be submitted by September 14, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET.

The spring and fall OSTEM internships generally run for approximately 15 weeks, while summer internships generally last around 10 weeks.

What Do NASA OSTEM Interns Do?

NASA OSTEM interns work on projects that contribute to the agency’s mission.

Depending on the specific internship, responsibilities can vary considerably. NASA offers opportunities across a broad range of academic and professional disciplines.

Interns may have the opportunity to:

• Work on real NASA projects
• Conduct research and analysis
• Support scientific or engineering activities
• Develop technical solutions
• Analyze data
• Assist with communications and outreach
• Contribute to technology development
• Work with NASA scientists, engineers, researchers, and other professionals
• Develop professional and workplace skills
• Gain practical experience related to their academic field
• Participate in a professional NASA work environment

Importantly, NASA states that its internship opportunities are not limited exclusively to STEM majors. NASA also offers opportunities for students from non-STEM disciplines, depending on the available projects and NASA’s workforce needs.

This means students should not automatically assume that they are ineligible simply because their degree is not in engineering, physics, computer science, or another traditional STEM discipline.

Key Benefits of a NASA OSTEM Internship

A NASA internship can provide several important benefits for students seeking to build their academic and professional careers.

1. Gain Hands-On Professional Experience

One of the major advantages of the OSTEM program is the opportunity to move beyond classroom learning.

Interns can work on projects and activities that provide practical experience and help them understand how their academic knowledge can be applied in a professional environment.

2. Work on Real NASA Projects

OSTEM internships are designed around actual NASA projects rather than purely theoretical assignments.

Students can contribute to work related to NASA’s broader mission in areas such as science, technology, aeronautics, and space exploration.

3. Learn From NASA Professionals

Interns have the opportunity to work with NASA experts and mentors.

This can expose students to professional approaches to:

• Research
• Problem-solving
• Project management
• Technical work
• Communication
• Collaboration
• Innovation

4. Strengthen Your Resume

Having hands-on experience with NASA can be a valuable addition to a student’s academic and professional profile.

The experience can demonstrate exposure to:

• Professional project environments
• Research or technical work
• Team collaboration
• Problem-solving
• Innovation
• Mission-oriented work

Students can subsequently use the experience when applying for graduate programmes, scholarships, research opportunities, jobs, and other internships.

5. Develop Technical and Professional Skills

NASA describes OSTEM internships as opportunities to build both technical skills and career readiness.

Depending on the project, students may develop skills related to their discipline while also strengthening transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, organization, critical thinking, and professional problem-solving.

6. Explore Careers at NASA

An OSTEM internship can also help students understand what it is like to work within NASA and explore potential career paths.

For students interested in eventually pursuing careers in aerospace, science, engineering, research, technology, communications, administration, or other NASA-related fields, an internship can provide useful exposure to the organization.

Who Can Apply for the NASA OSTEM Internship?

NASA’s current eligibility requirements specify that OSTEM candidates must meet several requirements.

Applicants must:

• Be a U.S. citizen
• Be at least 16 years old at the time of application
• Have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale
• Be a full-time or part-time college student, from undergraduate through graduate level
• Be enrolled in a degree-granting programme at a U.S. Department of Education-accredited college or university
• Be studying in a course of study aligned with NASA’s needs

NASA also indicates that educators who are enrolled as students can be eligible to apply.

Students who have recently graduated may also be eligible for internships taking place during the three internship sessions immediately following their graduation, subject to NASA’s eligibility requirements.

Do You Need to Study a STEM Subject?

Not necessarily.

The name “Office of STEM Engagement” might lead some applicants to believe that only STEM students can apply. However, NASA explicitly states that it offers internships for non-STEM majors as well.

The key consideration is whether the applicant’s academic programme and qualifications align with the requirements of the particular internship opportunity.

Therefore, students from fields outside traditional STEM disciplines should review the individual project descriptions rather than automatically ruling themselves out.

How Long Is the NASA OSTEM Internship?

The length of the internship depends on the session.

NASA’s current programme information indicates:

• Spring: approximately 15 weeks
• Summer: approximately 10 weeks
• Fall: approximately 15 weeks

The exact dates and working arrangements can vary according to the specific internship project.

Is the NASA OSTEM Internship Paid?

Yes.

NASA describes OSTEM internships as paid internships.

This makes the opportunity particularly attractive to students who want to gain high-level professional experience while receiving financial compensation during the internship.

Applicants should review the specific opportunity listing for the details applicable to the position they are applying for.

Is the NASA Internship Available to International Students?

This is an important point for international applicants.

For the standard NASA OSTEM Internship Program, NASA’s current eligibility requirements state that applicants must be U.S. citizens.

Therefore, students living in countries such as Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, India, the United Kingdom, Canada, or other countries generally cannot apply for the standard Spring 2027 OSTEM internship solely on the basis of being international students.

NASA previously operated international internship arrangements through its International Internship (I²) programme. However, NASA’s current international internship page states that the International Internship (I²) programme is not being offered at this time.

Students who are not U.S. citizens should therefore carefully distinguish the standard OSTEM programme from any separate NASA international opportunities that may become available in the future.

Important Citizenship Requirement

The citizenship requirement is particularly important because some online posts about NASA internships may make the opportunity appear open to students worldwide.

For the current OSTEM programme, NASA explicitly states:

U.S. citizenship is required.

International students should not assume that studying at a U.S. university automatically makes them eligible for OSTEM. The official eligibility requirement is U.S. citizenship.

What Academic Level Is Eligible?

NASA’s OSTEM programme is intended for students at multiple levels of higher education.

Eligible students can include:

• Undergraduate students
• Graduate students
• Other college-level students who meet NASA’s requirements

The programme requires applicants to be enrolled in an eligible degree-granting programme at a U.S.-accredited institution.

The minimum age is 16 years old at the time of application.

GPA Requirement

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of:

3.0 out of 4.0

This is an important eligibility requirement and should be checked before submitting an application.

Applicants should also review the requirements listed on each individual internship opportunity because individual projects may have additional qualifications or preferences.

Application Deadline for NASA Spring 2027 Internships

The most important date for students interested in this opportunity is:

September 14, 2026

The official NASA internship page specifies that applications for the Spring 2027 OSTEM session close at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on September 14, 2026.

Applicants should not wait until the final hours to submit their applications.

Technical problems, incomplete information, missing documents, or last-minute application issues can create unnecessary risks.

How to Apply for the NASA Spring 2027 OSTEM Internship

Applicants should begin by reviewing the available NASA OSTEM internship opportunities and identifying projects that match their academic background, interests, skills, and career goals.

The general process is:

Step 1: Review the Available Opportunities

Look through the NASA OSTEM internship listings and identify projects that match your interests and qualifications.

Step 2: Check the Eligibility Requirements

Before spending significant time on an application, confirm that you meet the basic requirements, including:

• U.S. citizenship
• Minimum age
• GPA
• Student status
• Educational institution requirements
• Academic field requirements

Step 3: Identify the Best-Fit Projects

Do not simply apply randomly.

Review the project description and consider:

• What skills are requested?
• What academic background is preferred?
• What responsibilities are involved?
• What technical or professional experience would be useful?
• How does the project relate to your career goals?

Step 4: Prepare Your Application

Make sure your application accurately communicates your:

• Academic background
• Relevant experience
• Skills
• Research interests
• Career objectives
• Relevant projects
• Leadership or extracurricular activities

Step 5: Submit Before the Deadline

Applications for Spring 2027 must be submitted by:

September 14, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Applicants should allow sufficient time to complete and review their application before the deadline.

A Note for International Applicants

International students should pay particular attention to the citizenship requirement before investing time in an OSTEM application.

The current NASA OSTEM requirements state that candidates must be U.S. citizens.

NASA’s International Internship programme page also currently states that the International Internship (I²) programme is not being offered at this time.

NASA does, however, encourage international students to explore certain NASA student challenges and citizen science projects.

Therefore, international students should monitor NASA’s official pages for other opportunities rather than assuming that the Spring 2027 OSTEM programme is open internationally.

Click HERE to read more and apply.

Conclusion

The NASA Spring 2027 OSTEM Internship Program provides eligible students with an opportunity to gain paid, hands-on experience while contributing to projects connected to NASA’s mission.

The programme is designed for students at different stages of higher education and can accommodate a broad range of academic disciplines, including some non-STEM fields. Interns can develop technical and professional skills, gain practical workplace experience, work with NASA professionals, and strengthen their career readiness.

However, applicants should pay close attention to the eligibility requirements. The current OSTEM programme requires applicants to be U.S. citizens, at least 16 years old, enrolled in an eligible programme at a U.S.-accredited institution, and have a minimum 3.0 GPA.

The deadline for the Spring 2027 NASA OSTEM Internship is September 14, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.

Students who meet the requirements should begin reviewing the available opportunities and preparing their applications as early as possible.

Click HERE for more internship opportunities.