Student Opportunities (SDSGC)

Award Amount

• $1,000 for incoming college freshmen.
• Up to $3,000 for sophomores and above.

Eligibility

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Undergraduate and graduate students.
• Incoming college freshmen (current high school seniors planning to attend a South Dakota college for a STEM degree).
• Must attend a South Dakota institution of higher education during the award period.

Objectives

• Supports students pursuing STEM degrees.
• Funds education during the regular school year.
• Rewards past accomplishments and potential for future achievement.
• Research is allowed but not required.
• Not considered compensation for employment.

Notes

• Students who have filed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid for the period in which they would receive the Space Grant stipend may wish to visit with their institution’s financial aid office to determine what impact, if any, receiving a Space Grant stipend could have on their eligibility for Federal Student Aid (loans, work-study and certain grants).
• This award is contingent upon U.S. Congressional approval of the 2026 federal budget and the availability and receipt of FY2026 Space Grant funding from NASA.

Application Instructions

Award Amount

• Up to $6,000 for graduate-level STEM research.
• Up to an additional $1,500 for research projects involving travel to a NASA Center (raising the maximum to $7,500).

Eligibility

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Graduate students only.
• Must attend a South Dakota institution of higher education during the award period. 
• Must be studying in a field closely related to NASA priorities.

Objectives

• Supports graduate-level STEM research projects that must align with at least one of NASA's Mission Directorate Research Priorities.
• Awardees are expected to produce a publication or conference presentation.
• Rewards past accomplishments and potential for future achievement.
• Not considered compensation for employment.

Notes

• Students who have filed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid for the period in which they would receive the Space Grant stipend may wish to visit with their institution’s financial aid office to determine what impact, if any, receiving a Space Grant stipend could have on their eligibility for Federal Student Aid (loans, work-study and certain grants).
• This award is contingent upon U.S. Congressional approval of the 2026 federal budget and the availability and receipt of FY2026 Space Grant funding from NASA.

Application Instructions

Award Amount

• NASA Center Internships (fully funded by Space Grant):
  • $7,300 (undergraduate) or $9,000 (graduate) for 10-week summer internships.
  • $13,120 (undergraduate) or $15,840 (graduate) for 16-week fall/spring internships.
  • An additional $1,500 allowance for internship-related expenses.
  • Amount is reduced if NASA also provides full or partial funding.
• Aerostar Aerospace Industry Internships: one to two stipends of $12,000 (Sioux Falls facility).
• KBR Aerospace Industry Internship: up to $12,000 (U.S. Geological Survey EROS, Sioux Falls).

Eligibility

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Undergraduate and graduate students.
• Must attend a South Dakota institution of higher education during the award period. 

Objectives

• Supports internships of at least 400 hours of mentored, degree-relevant activity at a NASA Center or aerospace industry partner.
• Internship projects must align with NASA's mission and South Dakota Space Grant Consortium's mission.
• Rewards past accomplishments and potential for future achievement.
• Not considered compensation for employment.

Notes

• This offer only helps pay for an internship. You must still apply for the internships with NASA, Aerostar and/or KBR to first be considered for the opportunity.
• Students who have filed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid for the period in which they would receive the Space Grant stipend may wish to visit with their institution’s financial aid office to determine what impact, if any, receiving a Space Grant stipend could have on their eligibility for Federal Student Aid (loans, work-study and certain grants).
• This award is contingent upon U.S. Congressional approval of the 2026 federal budget and the availability and receipt of FY2026 Space Grant funding from NASA.

Application Instructions

Type of Internships

• Short-term, project-based learning at NASA.

Duration

• Summer session is 10 weeks.
• Fall and spring are 15 weeks.

Eligibility

• Be a U.S. citizen.
• Be at least 16 years of age.
• Be enrolled full time or part time in a certificate or degree-granting program at a U.S. accredited technical school, college or university, with a broad range of majors, including STEM and non-STEM fields.
• Currently have and maintain a cumulative 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.
• Be an undergraduate- or graduate-level student.
• Students who have graduated from a higher education institution may apply for internships taking place during the three sessions immediately following graduation.

Objectives

• Builds technical skills and gives students hands‑on exposure to NASA missions. 
• Contribute to the agency’s mission to advance science, technology, aeronautics and space exploration. 

Notes

• Artificial Intelligence Use: Applicants must write their own responses and may not use ChatGPT or other AI-assisted tools to draft or adapt application or assessment responses. Violations may result in discontinuation of candidacy.
• Apply through NASA STEM Gateway.

Application Instructions

Type of Internships

Long-term developmental program leading to federal employment within the following Office of Personnel Management's occupational classifications:

Engineering, Science and Technology

• GS-899: Engineering
• GS-1399: Physical Sciences

Business

• GS-0099: Safety and Occupational Health
• GS-199: Social Sciences
• GS-299: Human Resources
• GS-399: Administration and Program Management and Analysis
• GS-599: Accounting and Budget
• GS-1099: Communication and Public Relations
• GS-1199: Procurement and Contracts
• GS-1599: Math and Statistics
• GS-2299: Information Technology

Duration

• Minimum 12-week; maximum duration determined by degree level.

Eligibility

• Be a U.S. citizen.
• Be at least 16 years of age.
• Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment on at least a half-time basis in an accredited educational institution and maintain enrollment at least half time as defined by the institution.
• Be pursuing a degree or certificate and currently have a cumulative 2.9 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.
• Be able to complete at least 480 hours of work prior to completing your degree or certificate requirements.
• Male applicants born after Dec. 31, 1959, must certify that they have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law.
• Vacancies also require that applicants be available to begin work between a predetermined timeframe, typically the subsequent two semesters following the closing date of the vacancy for which you applied.

Objectives

• Attract and develop well-rounded students who demonstrate curiosity, teamwork, excellence, adaptability, resilience and other competencies important to NASA.
• Provide meaningful professional experiences through challenging, career-aligned work, professional development, training and a supportive community.
• Prepare students for careers at NASA by helping interns define their career goals and providing opportunities to transition into full-time permanent or term employment with NASA after completing their degree.

Notes

• Artificial Intelligence Use: Applicants must write their own responses and may not use ChatGPT or other AI-assisted tools to draft or adapt application or assessment responses. Violations may result in discontinuation of candidacy.
• Apply through USAJOBS.

Application Instructions