TL;DR
This article brings together NASA and NASA-related opportunities for high school students across research, engineering, space science, biology, and technical project work. Depending on the program, students may analyze data, design mission concepts, code, develop research proposals, test engineering solutions, or present findings. Formats range from fully online experiences to hybrid pathways and onsite programs. Ladder Internships offers an eight-week online startup internship built around a real-world project and final deliverables.
For high school students interested in space, science, and engineering, NASA internships and related STEM programs can make technical work more concrete. They let students connect classroom concepts with research, design, data, and problem-solving in professional or mission-focused settings. NASA’s official internship overview describes OSTEM internships as hands-on opportunities to build technical skills while contributing to agency missions. Experiences can range from online research to engineering challenges and intensive onsite work.
If you love planes, rockets, and space, check out these aerospace internships for high school students! Engineering more broadly is another great option, so have a look at these engineering internships too. And if coding is more your thing, these software engineering internships are worth exploring!
Why should you do a NASA internship?
A NASA internship can help you connect classroom STEM concepts to how scientists, engineers, and technical teams solve real problems. You better understand which subjects and career paths interest you while practicing professional collaboration and communication. For a remote alternative, Ladder Internships offers structured startup project experience with company mentors.
What skills can you pick up in NASA internships?
NASA internships can strengthen technical problem-solving, data interpretation, research, engineering design, and scientific communication skills. They can also build teamwork, project planning, and the ability to explain technical decisions to different audiences. These skills matter because aerospace and space-science work often depends on combining specialized knowledge with careful analysis and clear collaboration.
How do you choose the right option?
Before applying, consider whether the internship fits your grade level, location, academic background, schedule, and budget. Also check the eligibility requirements carefully, since rules around citizenship, residency, coursework, and GPA can differ from one program to another.
This guide can help you figure out which internship is the right fit.
|
Program type |
Top programs |
Cost / Stipend |
Best For |
|
Virtual Programs |
Cost |
Students seeking remote project experience, startup exposure, or online space biology and bioinformatics learning |
|
|
Hybrid and Multi-Stage NASA Programs |
NASA STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES) NASA Johnson Space Center – Texas Aerospace Scholars (TAS) Junior Experience Virginia Space Grant Consortium + NASA Langley Research Center + Commonwealth of Virginia – Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Scholars (VASTS) |
Cost: Free |
Students interested in NASA-related research, aerospace engineering, mission design, and programs combining online learning with possible in-person experiences |
|
Onsite NASA Research and Engineering |
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center + National Space Club & Foundation – Goddard Space Club Scholars Program NASA Glenn Research Center – NASA Glenn High School Engineering Institute |
Cost: Free |
Students who want hands-on science, engineering, software, robotics, prototyping, and technical problem-solving in an on-site NASA environment |
1. NASA STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES)
Location: Virtual + UT Austin campus, Austin, TX
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 260 total interns
Dates: Distance Learning Modules: May 15 – July 1; Virtual Project Work: June – July 21; On-site Internship: July 5–18; Virtual Science Symposium: July 20–21
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores or juniors (10th or 11th grade); strong academic record; U.S. citizens; at least 16 years of age by July 5
You work with NASA, academic, and industry experts on mission-based STEM projects, analyzing and visualizing real data through activities such as field investigations, data analysis, engineering design, systems modeling, and, for some projects, Python-based work. A distinctive feature of SEES is that you carry out authentic research tied to areas such as Earth science, aerospace, astronomy, planetary science, remote sensing, and microgravity, then present your team’s work at the SEES Science Symposium.
Who is it best for: Motivated high school students interested in STEM who want hands-on research experience, teamwork, and exposure to NASA-related science and engineering careers.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid is available
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks; open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
You work remotely with a startup for eight weeks on a real-world project matched to your interests, completing tasks such as market analysis, strategy work, research, cybersecurity projects, or coding an MVP, depending on the company and project. You meet regularly with company mentors or coaches, develop and refine project deliverables, and present your final work to the company; a distinctive feature is that you have a say in the startup-project match before beginning the internship.
Who is it best for: High school students who want structured, hands-on startup experience and are comfortable working independently in a fully virtual environment for about 5–10 hours per week.
3. NASA Johnson Space Center – Texas Aerospace Scholars (TAS) Junior Experience
Location: Primarily virtual; the highest-performing students may advance to a residential experience at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; a large number of students participate in the online program; few qualify for the
Dates: Launch Pad online course runs September 28 – March 6; virtual Moonshot sessions are May 31–June 4 or June 7–11; and the residential Base Camp is July 25–30
Application Deadline: September 16
Eligibility: U.S. citizens, Texas residents, enrolled as juniors in a Texas high school; eligible schools include public, private, charter, online, and homeschool programs based in Texas.
You take part in NASA’s Texas Aerospace Scholars program through interactive online lessons and engineering design challenges covering topics such as Earth science, space exploration, coding, CAD, and NASA missions. If you perform well, you can advance to the virtual Moonshot challenge, where you work with NASA mentors in a team to plan an Artemis-themed Moon-to-Mars mission. Top teams can then attend a residential experience at Johnson Space Center in Houston, where they complete hands-on engineering activities, tour NASA facilities, and meet scientists and engineers.
Who is it best for: Texas high school students interested in STEM, aerospace, engineering, or space exploration and who want a structured program that combines online learning, team-based design work, and direct interaction with NASA professionals.
4. Virginia Space Grant Consortium + NASA Langley Research Center + Commonwealth of Virginia – Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Scholars (VASTS)
Location: Online; Hampton, Virginia (Summer Academy)
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Around 40%; 180 scholars
Dates: Online course: late November–May; Six-day Summer Academy sessions: summer, dates unannounced; sessions: June 21–27; July 12–18; July 26–August 1
Application Deadline: October 25 (online course); Summer Academy by invitation based on online course performance
Eligibility: 11th or 12th grade students at a Virginia high school; at least 16 years old; Virginia residents; minimum 2.7 GPA; internet and email access; U.S. citizens (permanent residents may take the online course, but NASA security restrictions typically limit Summer Academy participation)
During the school year, you complete web-based modules in which you solve real-world questions, write failure analysis reports on past space exploration attempts, design a new crew exploration vehicle, and join discussion forums that build your technical writing skills. If you perform well in the online course, you may be selected for a six-day residential Summer Academy at NASA's Langley Research Center, where you work in a team to design a crewed mission to Mars with mentoring from NASA engineers, scientists, and technologists.
Who is it best for: Eligible students excited by human spaceflight and aerospace engineering who want to practice mission design, technical writing, and team-based problem-solving alongside NASA professionals.
5. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center + National Space Club & Foundation – Goddard Space Club Scholars Program
Location: Greenbelt, Maryland; Wallops Island, Virginia
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; ~50 interns
Dates: June 29 – August 7
Application Deadline: April 17
Eligibility: Grades 10–12 and in good standing; completed grade 10 by program start; age 16+ by start; minimum 3.0 unweighted GPA; U.S. citizens within 50 miles of Goddard or Wallops
You spend six weeks onsite at NASA Goddard or Wallops, working five days a week on a specific NASA project. Projects include foundation-model evaluation, software development, robotics, instrument calibration, PACE aerosol analysis, wildfire sensing, and space-physics research, giving you practical exposure to NASA research and engineering workflows.
Who is it best for: Students who want hands-on experience with NASA science, engineering, software, robotics, or mission-support projects in a full-time, onsite research environment.
If you live outside Maryland or don’t want to commute every day, consider Ladder Internships that pair you with startups to work on real projects in a fully virtual format.
6. GeneLab for High Schools
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective; typically, large cohorts (>800 students)
Dates: June 1 – August 28
Application Deadline: March 15, or earlier if 1,000 applications are received
Eligibility: U.S. citizens and permanent residents attending U.S.-based high schools; rising juniors, seniors, or incoming first-year college students in Fall; have completed at least one biology course; maintain a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.0; have access to a computer with reliable internet
You will learn about the field through interactive classes, computer laboratory training, virtual field trips, and networking opportunities. The program also includes a research training competition where you will develop a research proposal in teams, and NASA will select the best team to present their work at the annual conference of the American Society for Gravitational and Space Research (ASGSR).
Who is it best for: Students interested in space biology, genetics, bioinformatics, and computational biology who want hands-on experience analyzing biological datasets and learning how NASA studies the effects of spaceflight on living systems.
7. NASA Glenn Research Center – NASA Glenn High School Engineering Institute
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: <15% (est.); 60 students (2025 cycle)
Dates: Session 1: July 12–16; Session 2: July 19–23; Session 3: July 26–30
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Students entering 11th or 12th grade in fall; at least 16 years old by July 1; minimum 3.2 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale; U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents
During one week at NASA Glenn Research Center, you'll use the engineering design process to develop, build, and test solutions for three projects created by NASA engineers, drawing on Glenn's core areas such as aircraft propulsion, in-space propulsion, power and energy storage, communication technology, and materials for extreme environments. You'll also tour Glenn's laboratories and testing facilities, hear NASA engineers talk about their work, and present your projects to NASA experts, helping you build prototyping, problem-solving, and technical communication skills.
Who is it best for: Students interested in aerospace engineering who want to design and test hands-on prototypes and see how NASA engineers approach real mission challenges.
Can a NASA internship help with your college applications?
NASA-related internships can give students material to discuss in applications through data analysis, coding, mission design, prototype testing, or research presentations. These experiences can show informed interest in aerospace and space science by connecting classroom STEM with real technical work. Their value comes from explaining the work and learning thoughtfully, not from any guaranteed admissions advantage.
How do you apply for a NASA internship?
Most NASA-related opportunities require you to start by checking the program’s current eligibility, schedule, and application instructions because the process varies by program. Depending on the opportunity, an application may ask for transcripts, essays, recommendations, resumes, or proof of age, residency, or citizenship. Treat those as program-specific requirements rather than assuming every NASA opportunity uses the same checklist.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Do I need prior coding or engineering coursework for these opportunities?
Not across the list. The entries do not state a general coding or engineering prerequisite, although one space-biology opportunity requires prior biology coursework and several others set grade, age, or GPA requirements.
2. Will I produce technical work rather than only observe professionals?
Yes, several opportunities involve active project work such as analyzing data, designing missions, developing software, building and testing prototypes, writing technical reports, or creating research proposals. Some also combine this work with facility tours, expert talks, mentoring, or team-based challenges.
3. Are these opportunities generally free, paid, or tuition-based?
Most of the NASA-related options on this list have no participation cost, although stipend arrangements vary and one onsite internship is paid. For students considering the remote startup option, program costs vary by type, and Ladder Internships offers financial aid.
4. How selective are the opportunities on this list?
Selectivity varies considerably across the entries. Several are described as highly competitive or highly selective; one reports an acceptance rate around 40%, another lists an estimated rate below 15%, and one large online program is described as not selective.