Aspiring scientists, engineers, and technologists—your gateway to hands-on experience at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is open year-round. Whether you’re pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in a STEM field, the JPL Year-Round Internship Program offers a unique opportunity to work alongside world-class researchers and contribute to groundbreaking space and Earth science missions.

What Is the JPL Year-Round Internship Program?

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory, managed by Caltech on behalf of NASA, is home to some of the most innovative planetary exploration and Earth observation missions. The JPL Year-Round Internship Program is designed to foster the next generation of leaders in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics by offering immersive, real-world experiences throughout the academic year and summer.

Through this program, selected interns are paired with JPL scientists and engineers, gaining not just practical exposure but also invaluable mentorship. These projects are carefully designed to align with the interns’ academic backgrounds while contributing meaningfully to JPL’s active missions.

Key Features of the Program

1. Flexible Timing
Internships are available throughout the year—fall, spring, and summer—making it easier for students to integrate the experience into their academic schedules. Interns can apply for part-time or full-time positions depending on their availability and institutional policies.

2. Paid Opportunities
Interns receive a weekly monetary stipend. For full-time, in-person participants whose universities are located more than 50 miles from JPL, a supplemental housing and travel allowance is also provided.

3. Enrichment Activities
Beyond project work, interns can attend enrichment sessions including lectures by NASA scientists, facility tours, career development workshops, and networking events. These experiences help broaden understanding of the space sector and the science-policy interface.

4. Personalized Mentorship
Each intern is matched with a mentor who supervises their work and provides guidance on both technical challenges and career planning. This one-on-one mentorship is a core component of the learning experience.

Who Is Eligible?

To qualify for the JPL Year-Round Internship Program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Be currently enrolled in an accredited U.S. college or university as an undergraduate or graduate student in a STEM-related program (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics).
Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0, with a preferred GPA of 3.5 or above.
Be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (LPR).
Be able to commit to a minimum 10-week internship for their first term. (Subsequent terms are more flexible.)

Importantly, applicants must be authorized by their university to pursue off-campus, independent study or internship during the academic year or summer.

How to Apply

Applications are submitted online through the JPL internship portal. The process includes:

Filling out the digital application form.
Uploading a current resume in PDF, DOC, or TXT format.
Submitting an unofficial transcript.

After submission, the Education Office at JPL screens applications for eligibility. If approved, applicants become visible to potential mentors who are looking for student collaborators on specific projects. Those selected as finalists may be contacted for an interview by their prospective mentors. Offers are extended based on mutual interest and project fit.

Why Apply?

Participating in the JPL Year-Round Internship Program is not just an educational milestone—it’s a career-launching opportunity. Interns become part of the NASA mission, gaining insight into space exploration, Earth science, and cutting-edge robotics. They work on meaningful projects that have the potential to fly on spacecraft, influence mission design, or impact how we understand our planet and beyond.

Past interns have contributed to missions like Mars Perseverance, Europa Clipper, and Earth-observing satellites. Many have transitioned into full-time roles at NASA centers or continued their studies with stronger research portfolios and networks.

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