Preparations for summer 2026 internships are under way! The application will be available in early February.
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. While 2026 project details are under development, for an idea of the nature and range of possible projects, see the 2025 Summer Exchange page and the 2025 Symposium Program. 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. Check back in early February for the project information and the application!
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.