New Zealand’s space sector is growing fast—and so are the opportunities to be part of it. Whether you're a student exploring STEM, a researcher pushing the boundaries of science, or an entrepreneur building the next generation of aerospace technology, there’s a place for you in our space ecosystem.
7 postgraduate students have been awarded the 2026 New Zealand Space Scholarship and will intern at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Southern California.
Working alongside scientists and engineers on world-leading space missions is a dream for many, and in 2026, it will become a reality for a select group of New Zealand post-graduate students.
New Zealand has a flexible labour market, high rates of employment, relatively open borders and, historically, a well-performing education system. However, the country faces significant challenges: school achievement and attendance are dropping in comparison with countries New Zealand competes with, and we face challenges in attracting, training and retaining talent.
The New Zealand Space Agency sponsors the New Zealand Space Scholarship for post-graduate students who have compatible research interests to participate in internship programmes at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and at NASA’s Ames Research Center.
Auckland Uniservices Limited are contracted by MBIE for $4,178,442 excluding GST, for the Return On Science and Momentum commercialisation programmes.
The Government is investing in a Strategic Science Investment Fund (SSIF) platform for Space Engineering to strengthen New Zealand’s applied research capability.
development. Therefore, we asked RSI organisations about different types of developmental support they offer, including for Early Career Researchers and research students.
Skilled and productive labour and safe workplaces are essential attributes of long-term economic growth. A strong economy also needs the right mix of skills and labour supply to respond to global and domestic opportunities and shifts.
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