New Zealand Space Scholarship

About the internships

This initiative seeks to better prepare students for future careers in the New Zealand aerospace sector. This is a unique opportunity to work on world-leading NASA missions and science, alongside NASA scientists and engineers.

Successful applicants will travel to the USA for a 3-month internship where they will work on innovative and complex projects under the supervision of a NASA mentor. Internships at NASA are an intensive experience and require a high level of professionalism, enthusiasm, and self-management.

In addition to this exceptional work experience opportunity, interns will be asked to give back to the wider New Zealand aerospace sector and NASA through outreach and social media activities. 

Candidates who are successfully selected for internship placement by NASA will be eligible to have the costs of their internship supported through the New Zealand Space Scholarship.

Available funding

Successful applicants will be awarded the New Zealand Space Scholarship to support the costs of their internship.

What does the New Zealand Space Scholarship cover?

The scholarship covers specified costs relating to the internships as follows:

• Return economy airfares to the United States
• Accommodation
• A daily allowance for living expenses
• Funding for reasonable travel-related expenses, such as insurance cover.

The scholarship only covers costs associated with participating in the NASA internship. Expenses exceeding the scholarship amount are entirely the beneficiary’s responsibility.

Obtaining the scholarship is conditional upon the successful candidate signing a contractual agreement with MBIE and includes a number of obligations.

Eligibility criteria

Eligibility criteria will be available shortly.

Topics of study

Topic information will be available shortly.

Research topics

• Advanced aviation (including aerosciences, autonomous flight systems, and air traffic management)
• AI, machine learning, and advanced computing
• Astrobiology and biology (including human performance in extreme environments)
• Astrophysics, space sciences, and exploration
• Autonomy and robotics
• Deep space communications
• Earth observation and Earth science (including airborne science)
• Instrument and sensor design and development
• Planetary science
• Science and Space Communication
• Other related fields

Selection process

This is a highly competitive process. The evaluation criteria, used to select candidates to be put forward for consideration by NASA, included:

• Academic excellence
• Relevance of the candidate’s experience to the projects currently underway at NASA’s Ames Research Center or the Jet Propulsion Laboratory
• Personal characteristics, self-management, and interpersonal skills
• Motivation to contribute to NASA and the New Zealand space sector.

Candidates on the final shortlist were submitted to NASA for final selection.

Intern obligations

Successful candidates will need to comply with certain obligations including, but not limited to, the following:

• a participant code of conduct
• securing appropriate travel and medical insurance cover for the duration of the internship
• participation in promotional and alumni activities.

General notes

• Participation in the programme does not count towards academic credit for any New Zealand qualification.
• Students must be pursuing a relevant graduate degree at the time of the internship. Students not currently undertaking graduate studies are eligible to apply only if they will be undertaking graduate studies at the time of the internship and must submit proof of enrolment as part of their application.
• Recipients who take up this scholarship but do not complete their applicable tertiary qualification may be required to pay back the full value of the scholarship received.
• Internships are intended to be undertaken in person at NASA’s Ames Research Center or the Jet Propulsion Laboratory facilities. However, candidates should be aware that public health conditions, the availability of consular services and travel, as well as U.S. institutional operating status and policies, may affect their ability to travel to the U.S. and participate in the internship.

Learn more about past NASA intern experiences

How to apply

The New Zealand Space Agency (NZSA) at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is the only New Zealand entity permitted to submit internship candidates for consideration by NASA. Candidates do not apply directly to NASA.

Information on how to apply will be available in August 2025.