Category: Opportunities

The application for Summer 2026 MDSGC internships is now open! The priority application deadline is Monday, March 2, 2026. After this date the selection process will begin on a rolling basis.  Students may still apply for available projects during this process.

The MDSGC Summer Exchange program supports qualified students from affiliated universities to partake in hands-on, NASA-aligned summer internships at any of the other participating institutions. Interns must commit to a full-time, 10-week project duration and are paid a stipend. Click here for 2026 project information and to apply. Also see the FAQ below. Note: one change for 2026 is that students from any MDSGC-affiliated institution may apply.

Interested students and faculty may contact mdsgc@jh.edu with any questions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the current stipend level set by NASA and how are interns paid? A: $8200 for a full time 10-week undergraduate intern. MDSGC pays the stipends by check or direct deposit in installments at the beginning, mid-point, and end of the internship period.

Q: Is housing provided for interns? A: Some host institutions have summer housing available. If an intern requires such housing, the cost is deducted from their stipend amount.

Q: Which students are eligible to apply? A: Applicants must be U.S. citizens who are enrolled as full-time undergraduate students at MDSGC-affiliated institutions and will not graduate before the end of summer 2026. Applicants may be pursuing any major(s) relevant to aerospace, space science and engineering or NASA’s mission more broadly; however, individual projects may have their own appropriate pre-requisites.

Q: What are the internship dates and must the internship end before the MDSGC Symposium? A: Internships are 10 weeks long and start at the earliest date that works for both mentor and intern, almost always after Memorial Day. Due to start date constraints and possible vacation dates, many internships run another week or two beyond the MDSGC Symposium.

Q: What and when is the MDSGC Symposium? A: MDSGC hosts a one-day symposium in Baltimore in late July or early August at which summer interns are required to present their work and students and mentors from all participating institutions mingle and share experiences. See the 2025 Symposium Program for more information.

RockOn is a sounding rocket payload workshop at Wallops Flight Facility that is an exciting chance for faculty and students to kickstart design-build-fly projects at their home institutions. Participants in the workshop will build a working scientific payload and then see it launch on a real sounding rocket. The 2026 application deadline was February 13.

Subject to available funds, MDSGC intends to sponsor one or more teams for each year’s workshop and encourages prospective Maryland team mentors to apply for team sponsorship. If you are interested for this year or an upcoming year, visit NASA’s RockOn page for information and to apply and also complete the sponsorship application below if you are seeking sponsorship. MDSGC sponsorship is not required for Maryland teams to participate — if you have your own resources, great!

Here is a summary of important information about RockOn 2026:

• Application deadline is 02/13/26 – but why wait?
• 1 faculty mentor from the applicant institution must be willing to attend.
• 2 students from the applicant institution must be able to commit to attending.
• There are no prerequisites. All skills needed at the workshop will be taught at the workshop.
• Attending faculty and students must be U.S. citizens at least 18 years of age.
• Workshop dates are tentatively June 17-25, 2026.
• Location is NASA/Wallops, with hotels nearby in Chincoteague, VA.
• In order for you to participate, NASA must select your application – it’s not automatic.
• MDSGC will sponsor the workshop registration and travel costs for up to three Maryland teams, subject to the availability of funds. Prospective team mentors must complete the application below in advance to request sponsorship.

Application for MDSGC RockOn Sponsorship

The regular application period for Academic Year 2026-2027 scholarships will open in April 2026. Any student may still submit an off-cycle application for consideration if funding becomes available. For information about the program and to apply, visit the MDSGC Scholarships page.