The scholarship program allows successful recipients to research world-leading space missions and science while undertaking a three-month internship at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Southern California.
“This initiative seeks to better prepare students for future careers in the New Zealand space and advanced aviation sectors. This is a unique opportunity to research world-leading space missions and science, alongside our US space partners’ scientists and engineers,” according to a statement published by the New Zealand government earlier this year.
“Successful applicants will travel to the US for a three-month internship where they will research innovative and complex projects under the supervision of a mentor. The 2026 scholarship recipients will intern at JPL. This is an intensive experience and require a high level of professionalism, enthusiasm and self-management.
“In addition to this exceptional research experience opportunity, scholarship recipients will be asked to give back to the wider New Zealand space and advanced aviation sectors and US space partners through outreach and social media activities.
“Candidates who are selected for internship placement at JPL will be eligible to have the costs of their internship supported through the New Zealand Space Scholarship.”
Successful applicants will be awarded the New Zealand Space Scholarship to support the costs of their internship. The scholarship covers specified costs relating to the internships, such as return economy airfares to the United States, accommodation, a daily allowance for living expenses and funding for reasonable travel-related expenses, such as insurance cover.
To apply, candidates must be a New Zealand citizen, be 18 years or older and be enrolled for 2026 in a post-graduate degree in science, technology, engineering or mathematics at a New Zealand tertiary institution in a field relevant to NASA’s mission priorities.
Research topics include advanced aviation, AI, machine learning and advanced computing, astrobiology and biology, astrophysics, space sciences and exploration, autonomy and robotics, deep space communications, Earth observation and Earth science, instrument and sensor design and development, planetary science, science and space communication.