The Space Industry Internship is just one of the many programs that AZSGC offers. The goals of the Space Industry Internship Program are to provide relevant, career-aligned experiences to our Arizona students while continuing to meet NASA Mission Directorate needs. This program seeks to provide students with applied, industry-focused opportunities that lead directly to employment. Arizona’s thriving space industry is well positioned to meet this demand and provide meaningful, career-aligned experiences.
Eligibility
Eligible student applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. Naturalized Citizen per NASA (federal) funding requirements.
- A minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA.
- Applicants must reside in the state of Arizona in Fall 2026 and Spring 2027, even if they hold a virtual internship, and must attend the Space Grant Symposium in-person on April 16-17, 2027 in Scottsdale, AZ.
- Transportation reimbursement, plus hotel and meals, will be provided.
- Applicants may not hold a concurrent Arizona Space Grant internship or NASA Center internship in Fall 2026 or Spring 2027.
- ASCEND program scholars may apply to the program.
- Enrolled in 9 units or more for the duration of the Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 semester at an Arizona Space Grant affiliated school. Eligible schools include:
- Arizona State University
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott
- Northern Arizona University
- The University of Arizona
- Arizona Western College
- Central Arizona College
- Dine College
- Glendale Community College
- Phoenix College
- Pima Community College
- Tohono O'odham Community College
- Interns are subject to their industry placement's employment requirements, which may include passing a drug test and/or background test.
Start-End Dates & Work Hours
The Space Industry Internship program runs throughout the Fall 2026 semester, with the option to continue in the Spring 2027 semester with industry mentor approval.
Fall 2026 Internship: September 14 - December 18, 2026 (14 weeks)
Spring 2027 Internship: January 4 - May 14, 2027 (19 weeks)
Hours: During the program, Space Industry Interns are expected to work 10 hours per week. Interns' weekly hours may fluctuate and work schedules can be built around their class schedule and the needs of the project/mentor. However, we expect interns to work a total of at least 140 hours in Fall 2026 and 190 hours in Spring 2027.
Internship $Award$ & Payments
Fall 2026 internship (14 week, 140 hours): $3,000 stipend
Spring 2027 internship (19 weeks, 190 hours): $4,000 stipend
Payments will be made in monthly installments of $1,000 via direct deposit from the National Space Grant Foundation. Note, payment will not be received as bi-weekly paychecks from your local Space Industry placement.
What to Expect: From Application to Internship
Industry partners will apply to the program, and all applications and placements will be reviewed and approved by the Space Grant selection committee to confirm they are appropriate for a Space Industry intern. Then, industry opportunities are posted on the Space Grant website and interns may submit their applications for review. Interns may note which industry partners they are interested, and eligible, to work with.
Intern applications are reviewed immediately after the deadline by the selection committee. The committee will select top-ranked student applicants and then provide industry partners with 2-3 top-ranked candidates. Industry partners may require a phone or virtual interview before confirming their intern placement.
Once confirmed by the industry partner, interns are notified of their award. Interns must accept their award by the given deadline, or the offer may be retracted and given to the next highest-ranked applicant.
During the course of the internship, interns will be required to attend a virtual orientation with Space Grant management, and will periodically be required to check-in with Space Grant management throughout the program. Interns must also respond to various program requests such as evaluation and reporting needs.
This program's success largely depends on an intern and industry partner working together to build a clear outline of responsibilities, setting up consistent forms of communication and regular meeting times, and setting weekly goals that are then followed up on each week. While the intern's responsibilities may change over time, it is important to have both short and long-term goals clearly defined and written down.
Industry partners will provide interns with 10 hours per week of meaningful industry work to help them build skills and gain knowledge in the field. Additional goals and requirements will be defined and agreed upon by intern/industry matches when they establish a working relationship at the beginning of the program.
Towards the end of the program, Space Industry Interns involved in the Spring 2027 internship period are required to attend the Arizona Space Grant Consortium's Statewide Student Research Symposium.
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: All applications reviewed by committee. Top-selected intern applications 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.
Is this program virtual or in person?
Internships may be virtual, in person, or a combination of both (hybrid). On the industry partner application, work location, mode, and hours will be listed. Once matched, interns and industry partners may work together to come up with a schedule that works for them during the program. Please note that if you are an online student and/or if your internship is virtual, you must reside in Arizona during the internship and you must attend the Statewide Student Research Symposium; this is an in-person event with no virtual component.