Applications are now open for the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Summer 2027 College Internship – Contracts Career Field, a paid opportunity for eligible college and university students interested in government contracting, procurement, acquisition management, finance, business administration, supply chain management, public administration, law, and related fields.

The internship provides selected students with practical exposure to the full lifecycle of U.S. government acquisitions while working within the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, commonly known as NGA.

Positions are available in Springfield, Virginia, and St. Louis, Missouri, and the advertised annual salary range across the applicable NGA pay bands and locations is $27,108 to $101,097. The internship is not telework eligible, and participants should expect to work at their assigned NGA location.

The application window opened on August 31, 2026, and closes on September 30, 2026. NGA states that vacancy announcements close at 11:59 p.m. EDT on the closing date, so applicants should submit their complete online applications before that time.

About the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency

The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency is both a U.S. intelligence agency and a combat support agency. It is responsible for providing geospatial intelligence, commonly known as GEOINT, to support U.S. national security, defense, intelligence, navigation, and other government missions.

NGA describes itself as a world leader in providing timely, relevant, accurate, and actionable geospatial intelligence. Its work supports the U.S. Intelligence Community and Department of Defense and involves the analysis and integration of imagery, geospatial information, data, and intelligence.

The agency is headquartered in Springfield, Virginia, and also maintains major facilities in Missouri and other locations. Approximately 14,500 civilian, military, and contractor personnel work across NGA locations and supporting assignments worldwide.

For students, an NGA internship therefore provides more than general workplace experience. Interns operate within a national-security environment and gain exposure to professional processes used by a major U.S. federal intelligence and defense-support organization.

About the Summer 2027 Contracts Career Field Internship

The Summer 2027 College Internship in the Contracts Career Field is particularly relevant to students interested in how the federal government purchases goods and services and manages complex contractual relationships.

NGA explains that its Contracts Career Field helps procure the supplies and services required for the agency to accomplish its global mission.

Interns can gain practical exposure to the functions performed by Contract Specialists, professionals responsible for planning acquisitions, evaluating proposals, negotiating agreements, awarding contracts, and ensuring contractors comply with contractual terms and conditions.

The internship can therefore be highly relevant to students considering careers in:

• Government procurement
• Federal contracting
• Acquisition management
• Supply chain management
• Business administration
• Finance
• Public administration
• Contract management
• Pre-law or legal studies
• Commercial management
• Vendor and supplier management
• Government operations
• Defense acquisition
• Public-sector financial and commercial management

What Interns Will Learn

The internship is structured to expose students to the full lifecycle of government acquisitions.

Although individual assignments will depend on NGA’s operational and mission requirements, interns may gain experience in several important areas.

1. Acquisition Planning

Interns may learn how government agencies identify procurement requirements and develop plans for acquiring necessary goods and services.

This can involve understanding customer requirements, determining acquisition approaches, reviewing market information, and considering the most appropriate procurement strategy.

2. Development of Acquisition Strategies

Students may assist or observe professionals developing strategies for acquiring products and services.

An acquisition strategy considers issues such as requirements, procurement methods, competition, timelines, risks, contract structure, and expected outcomes.

For students interested in supply chain management or procurement, this exposure can provide an important understanding of how large public-sector acquisitions are planned.

3. Vendor Proposal Evaluation

Interns may learn how proposals submitted by vendors are evaluated.

Proposal evaluation is a central component of government contracting because federal agencies must select contractors using defined procedures and evaluation criteria.

Students can therefore gain exposure to structured commercial evaluation and government decision-making processes.

4. Contract Negotiation and Award

The internship can provide insight into how government Contract Specialists negotiate with vendors and award contracts.

Contract negotiations may involve issues such as pricing, contractual terms, deliverables, schedules, compliance requirements, and responsibilities.

This experience can be particularly valuable to students studying business, finance, procurement, public administration, or law.

5. Contract Administration

Awarding a contract is only one part of the procurement lifecycle.

After award, government agencies must ensure that contractors fulfill their obligations.

Interns may learn how contracts are administered to ensure compliance with applicable contractual terms and conditions.

Internship Locations

The announcement identifies vacancies in two locations:

Springfield, Virginia

and

St. Louis, Missouri

The USAJOBS announcement shows one vacancy in each location.

The opportunity is not telework eligible, meaning applicants should be prepared to work physically at the assigned location.

Relocation expenses are also listed as not reimbursed, so candidates who live outside these areas should carefully consider potential temporary housing, relocation, transportation, and living costs.

Salary for the NGA Summer 2027 Internship

USAJOBS publishes an overall annual salary range of:

$27,108–$101,097 per year

The applicable pay scale is listed as IA 01–02.

Because federal pay differs by pay band and geographic locality, compensation varies according to the location and the level at which the candidate is appointed.

Published 2026 ranges associated with this particular recruitment include:

Springfield / Washington, D.C. Locality

Band 1: $30,249–$75,059 annually

Band 2: $57,736–$101,097 annually

St. Louis Locality

Band 1: $27,108–$67,264 annually

Band 2: $51,740–$90,597 annually.

Applicants should understand that these are pay-band ranges rather than a guarantee that every intern will receive the maximum salary. Actual compensation will depend on NGA’s placement determination and the candidate’s applicable qualifications.

Who Should Consider the Contracts Career Field?

NGA specifically identifies several academic areas that align strongly with the Contracts Career Field.

Students majoring in the following subjects may find the internship particularly relevant:

• Business Administration
• Supply Chain Management
• Finance
• Pre-Law
• Public Administration

These are examples of suitable majors rather than the only educational backgrounds mentioned in the broader student eligibility requirements.

Students interested in procurement, commercial operations, government contracting, business analysis, strategic problem-solving, financial management, public-sector administration, or acquisition policy may also find the professional experience especially valuable.

Mandatory Eligibility Requirements

Applicants should review the mandatory requirements carefully because failure to satisfy even one core condition can make an application ineligible.

Minimum Age

Applicants must be at least:

18 years old at the time of application.

Current Student Status

Candidates must currently be enrolled at least part-time in an accredited two-year or four-year college or university program.

Eligible levels include:

• Associate degree
• Bachelor’s degree
• Graduate degree
• Postgraduate degree

Applicants must have an anticipated graduation date of October 2027 or later.

Students who are expected to graduate before October 2027 are generally not eligible unless they have already been accepted into and enrolled in a subsequent qualifying degree program.

This requirement is important because the internship is designed specifically for individuals who will continue to hold qualifying student status.

GPA Requirement

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of:

3.0 or higher

The GPA must appear on the most recent transcript uploaded with the application.

Freshmen who do not yet have an established college GPA may initially provide appropriate enrollment documentation, but they will later need to demonstrate that they achieved at least a 3.0 GPA for the relevant semester.

NGA states that offers may be rescinded if the required GPA is not subsequently achieved or verified.

Proof of Current Enrollment Is Mandatory

Although the USAJOBS required-documents summary displays “None,” the detailed vacancy instructions explicitly state that applicants must upload proof of current enrollment.

Applicants should therefore follow the more specific instruction in the announcement.

Students are required to provide their most recent unofficial transcript, showing:

• Date
• University information
• GPA

Freshmen may submit a letter of enrollment from their university instead of a transcript where appropriate.

Failure to provide this proof of enrollment can result in disqualification.

Applicants who are ultimately accepted will also be required to provide an official transcript to NGA Student Programs after completion of the relevant semester.

Communication Skills Requirement

Applicants need experience providing clear verbal updates or explanations of routine information.

This experience may have been acquired through:

• University presentations
• Group projects
• Employment
• Volunteer activities
• Student organizations
• Academic research
• Internships
• Professional or community activities

Candidates should make sure their NGA resume provides specific examples rather than merely stating that they possess “good communication skills.”

Problem-Solving and Data-Gathering Experience

Candidates are also expected to demonstrate experience identifying and gathering information needed to resolve routine problems.

This competency could potentially be demonstrated through coursework, research projects, employment, student activities, internships, or other relevant experiences.

Applicants should emphasize situations in which they:

• Identified a problem
• Determined what information was required
• Collected or analyzed relevant information
• Reached a conclusion
• Recommended or implemented an appropriate solution

The announcement specifically instructs applicants to use concrete examples and outcomes when demonstrating their qualifications.

Artificial Intelligence Knowledge

The current USAJOBS posting also identifies experience explaining fundamental artificial intelligence concepts and/or technologies used for routine tasks among the qualification criteria.

Students who have used or studied AI applications should therefore consider demonstrating their knowledge clearly and accurately in their application where relevant.

Examples could include academic exposure to:

• Generative AI
• Machine learning fundamentals
• AI-enabled research tools
• Data analytics
• Automation
• Responsible use of AI
• AI-assisted business processes

Applicants should not exaggerate their expertise. The strongest approach is to provide a genuine example showing that they understand basic AI concepts and can explain them clearly.

U.S. Citizenship Requirement

One of the most important eligibility restrictions is that U.S. citizenship is required.

Because NGA operates in the intelligence and national-security environment and the internship requires access eligibility for highly classified information, international students who are not U.S. citizens should not assume they qualify merely because they are studying at a U.S. university.

The vacancy specifically identifies U.S. citizenship as a condition of employment.

Security Clearance Requirement

Applicants must be capable of obtaining and retaining a:

Top Secret security clearance with Sensitive Compartmented Information access, commonly referred to as Top Secret/SCI.

The security process is an important aspect of employment with NGA.

Selected candidates are also subject to a Counterintelligence Polygraph examination and drug testing.

Maintaining the required security eligibility is not simply an initial hiring requirement. Employees who require SCI access must continue to satisfy applicable security requirements throughout their NGA service.

Drug Testing

The announcement states that designated or random drug testing is required.

Applicants must therefore be prepared to comply with federal and NGA drug-testing requirements as a condition of employment.

Security Financial Disclosure

Employees holding SCI access while under NGA cognizance may be required to submit an annual Security Financial Disclosure Report, SF-714.

The purpose of this requirement is to support continuing assessment of eligibility for access to sensitive national-security information.

Failure to comply may affect continued access to classified information or secured facilities.

Work Schedule and Travel

The USAJOBS announcement identifies the work schedule as full-time.

Travel is listed as:

Not required

Telework is also listed as:

Not eligible

Relocation expenses are:

Not reimbursed.

Students considering the position should therefore plan carefully for the practical requirements associated with spending the internship period in Springfield, Virginia, or St. Louis, Missouri.

Federal Employment Classification

The position falls under occupational series:

0099 – General Student Trainee

and is within the Excepted Service.

The applicable pay bands are IA 01–02.

The announcement also notes that NGA operates under the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System, or DCIPS, for relevant civilian positions.

Important Note About the Appointment Description

Applicants may notice an apparent inconsistency in the USAJOBS announcement.

The position is repeatedly described by NGA and related postings as the Summer 2027 College Internship – Contracts Career Field, and the duties are expressly framed as an internship.

However, the USAJOBS overview currently displays the appointment type as “Permanent.”

Candidates should therefore rely on the official NGA application process for final confirmation of the precise appointment mechanics and employment duration rather than assuming that the “Permanent” field converts the Summer 2027 internship into an indefinite regular position.

Resume Requirements

Applicants must use the NGA resume builder.

The vacancy specifically states that resumes must be limited to:

Two pages.

This is an important instruction. Applicants should not simply upload a lengthy general-purpose resume without checking NGA’s prescribed process.

A strong resume should directly address the mandatory qualification criteria and use specific examples demonstrating relevant experience.

Candidates should highlight:

• Educational enrollment
• GPA
• Expected graduation date
• Presentation and communication experience
• Problem identification
• Data gathering and analysis
• AI knowledge or experience
• Business or procurement exposure
• Leadership
• Academic projects
• Relevant employment
• Internships
• Volunteer experience
• Quantifiable achievements

NGA advises applicants to demonstrate the level and complexity of work they have performed and to include specific examples and results.

Is a Cover Letter Required?

A cover letter is not mandatory, but NGA recommends submitting one.

Applicants are given the option to attach a cover letter during the online application process.

Because this is a competitive intelligence-community internship, a focused cover letter can help an applicant explain why the Contracts Career Field aligns with their academic studies and career plans.

A strong letter could address:

• Interest in NGA’s mission
• Interest in federal acquisitions
• Relevant academic background
• Problem-solving capabilities
• Communication skills
• Interest in public service
• Understanding of government contracting
• Career goals

The letter should complement the resume rather than simply repeat it.

How Candidates Will Be Evaluated

NGA uses a multi-stage applicant evaluation process.

First, applications are reviewed against the mandatory qualification criteria.

Candidates who meet those requirements may then be evaluated by an expert or panel of experts using additional qualification criteria to identify the best-qualified applicants.

Those considered best qualified may subsequently be invited to participate in an interview process.

Meeting the minimum requirements therefore does not guarantee selection.

Veterans’ Preference

As a Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System position in the Excepted Service, applicable veterans’ preference procedures may apply.

External applicants claiming veterans’ preference must appropriately identify their eligibility in accordance with the vacancy instructions and applicable Department of Defense procedures.

Equal Employment Opportunity

NGA states that applicants will be considered without regard to factors including:

• Race
• Color
• Religion
• Sex
• National origin
• Age
• Marital status
• Disability
• Sexual orientation

The agency also provides a process for requesting reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities during the recruitment and hiring process.

How to Apply for the NGA Summer 2027 Internship

Applications must be submitted electronically through NGA’s online recruitment process.

NGA states clearly that only electronic submissions will be accepted.

Applicants should:

1. Review the entire USAJOBS announcement carefully.
2. Confirm that they satisfy the U.S. citizenship requirement.
3. Confirm that they will be at least 18 when applying.
4. Confirm qualifying college or university enrollment.
5. Verify that their graduation date is October 2027 or later, unless continuing into another eligible program.
6. Ensure that their GPA is at least 3.0.
7. Obtain an up-to-date unofficial transcript showing enrollment details and GPA.
8. Prepare a targeted two-page resume using the NGA resume builder.
9. Consider preparing a focused cover letter.
10. Complete all questions in the NGA online application.
11. Upload the required enrollment evidence.
12. Review the entire application before submitting.
13. Submit before the September 30, 2026 deadline.

Applicants can subsequently follow the status of their application through NGA’s online application system.

Application Deadline

The application period for the NGA Summer 2027 College Internship – Contracts Career Field is:

Opening date: August 31, 2026

Closing date: September 30, 2026

The NGA announcement states that applications close at:

11:59 p.m. EDT on the closing date.

Applicants are strongly advised not to wait until the final hours because transcript uploads, resume preparation, account issues, or technical problems could prevent timely submission.

Why Students Should Consider This Opportunity

This internship can provide valuable exposure to an area of the federal government that is rarely experienced through ordinary university coursework.

Federal acquisitions involve large-scale purchasing, regulatory requirements, vendor relationships, financial analysis, negotiation, risk management, strategic planning, and contract administration.

Students selected for the Contracts Career Field may therefore develop transferable professional skills relevant to careers in:

• Federal government
• Defense
• Intelligence
• Procurement
• Finance
• Consulting
• Supply chain management
• Contract management
• Public administration
• Commercial management

Working inside NGA also provides exposure to an organization operating at the intersection of national security, intelligence, technology, data, and government administration.

Tips for Preparing a Competitive Application

Competition for federal intelligence-community internships can be significant, so candidates should avoid submitting a generic application.

Applicants should carefully map their experience against each mandatory qualification.

For example, instead of writing:

“Good communication skills”

a candidate could explain that they presented findings from a semester-long research project to a class of 30 students and answered questions about the methodology and conclusions.

Instead of stating:

“Good problem-solving skills”

the applicant could describe a project in which they identified missing data, collected information from several sources, evaluated alternatives, and produced a recommendation.

Students should also ensure that their graduation date and GPA can be immediately verified from their submitted documentation.

Most importantly, applicants should be accurate and truthful throughout the process because the role involves a high-level federal security investigation.

Conclusion

The NGA Summer 2027 College Internship – Contracts Career Field offers eligible U.S. college and university students an opportunity to gain paid, practical experience inside one of the United States’ principal intelligence and combat-support agencies.

With positions available in Springfield, Virginia, and St. Louis, Missouri, students can gain exposure to government acquisitions, procurement strategy, proposal evaluation, contract negotiation, contract award, and contract administration.

The internship is particularly relevant to students studying Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Finance, Pre-Law, Public Administration, and related disciplines.

Applicants must satisfy strict eligibility requirements, including being at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen, currently enrolled at least part-time in an accredited degree program, maintaining a GPA of at least 3.0, and generally having a graduation date of October 2027 or later. Candidates must also be able to obtain and maintain the required Top Secret/SCI security clearance and comply with applicable polygraph and drug-testing requirements.

The application deadline is September 30, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EDT.

Students who meet the requirements should prepare their transcript and targeted two-page NGA resume early and submit through the official online application system well before the deadline.

For more global opportunities, click HERE.