Overview
An undergraduate internship can be a pivotal experience in shaping the future of aspiring scientists and engineers. It offers students valuable insight into the realities of working in STEM fields, helping them make informed decisions about their career paths. As a Space Grant industry partner, you have a unique opportunity to influence and empower Arizona’s next generation of STEM professionals. By mentoring a bright, motivated student, you not only contribute to their development but also gain support for your own work and project goals. It's a rewarding partnership with lasting impact—for the student, for you, and for the broader STEM community.
Industry Partner Eligibility
Space industry companies that do not currently offer a robust internal internship program, with preference given to Arizona-based companies. Industry partners must be able to consistently provide 10 hours of work per week, September 2026 - May 2027. The work should be suitable for undergraduate and community college students new to industry and designed to help them develop new skills, strengthen existing ones, build professional networks, and gain meaningful insight into a potential career with the company.
Industry partners must be prepared to integrate interns into their teams immediately. This includes having projects and necessary materials ready to share from day one. Delays due to background checks, security clearances, or building access can significantly reduce the impact of the internship program.
What the Industry Partner Provides
Industry partners are expected to:
Offer a project aligned with one or more NASA Mission Directorates (MDs). However, please note that NASA's research interests are broad and relate to many STEM fields.
Provide approximately 10 hours of meaningful work per week (September - May) with regular mentorship, communication, and clearly defined goals.
Verify intern work hours throughout the program.
Participate in quarterly AI Workforce Alignment Workshops to provide industry-informed feedback on AI workforce needs, as part of the NASA AI Workforce Development Grant for which this program is funded.
Maintain communication with the AZSGC team, share program updates, and notify staff of any concerns to support a successful internship experience.
(Optional) Participate in the AZSGC Statewide Student Research Symposium and other program engagement opportunities when possible.
What Space Grant Provides
With more than 35 years of experience managing competitive internship programs, Arizona Space Grant provides comprehensive administrative and student support, allowing industry partners to focus on mentoring rather than program logistics.
AZSGC recruits students statewide, manages the application process, evaluates and ranks applicants, and provides mentors with the top 2-3 candidates best matched to their project needs. AZSGC also manages hiring, payroll (including providing full student stipend support), reporting, and all program administration.
Beyond the internship placement, AZSGC provides a robust support network that includes orientation, regular check-ins, office hours, peer mentoring, weekly opportunity announcements, a year-end Symposium, and more for your student intern.
Internship Stipends
The Space Industry Internship Program is funded by the NASA National Space Grant College and Fellowship Project AI Workforce Development Grant. During the program, Space Industry Interns are expected to work 10 hours per week and will receive approximately $20 per hour paid by Space Grant. Interns involved in the Fall 2026 internship will receive $3,000 (for approx. 140 hours of work). Interns involved in the Spring 2027 internship will receive $4,000 (for approx. 190 hours of work). Payments will be made to interns in monthly installments via direct deposit from the National Space Grant Foundation.
Timeline of Program Year
August 3-14: Industry partner applications are submitted. Work descriptions are posted on the Space Grant website for intern applicants to review.
August 17-24: Intern applications are submitted.
September 4: Top-selected interns are submitted to industry partners for consideration and interviews.
September 14: Interns notified of selection for the program; must respond to confirm their participation by given deadline.
Week of September 14: Intern and industry orientation; internship officially begins.
December 18: Fall 2026-only internship ends. Option to renew for Spring 2027, with industry approval.
January 4, 2027: Spring 2027 internships begin.
April 16-17, 2027: Interns must attend the AZSGC Statewide Student Research Symposium in Scottsdale, AZ.
May 14, 2027: Conclusion of Spring 2027 internship. Final check-in with Space Grant management.
How many Space Grant interns may I work with?
One of Space Grant's goals is to have diversity within our mentors and diversity within the industry placements we are supporting. The Space Grant Committee will typically not match a mentor/company with more than 1 intern during each semester of the program.
Is this program virtual or in person?
Internships may be virtual, in person, or a combination of both. On the industry partner application, partners are asked to describe work tasks and location of work so that the Space Grant Committee may match an intern to those needs and requirements. Once matched, interns and industry partners may work together to come up with a schedule that works for them during the program.