Fully Funded Planetary Science Internships 2026: How to Win the LPI Summer Internship in Houston

If you have even a faint suspicion that you might want to work on space, planets, or anything that orbits anything else, the 2026 LPI Summer Internship in the United States should be on your radar.

This is not your typical “make coffee and resize PowerPoints” internship. For ten weeks in the summer of 2026, selected students will be paid to do real planetary science research in Houston, Texas — either at the Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) or at NASA Johnson Space Center. It is fully funded, open to international and US students, and comes with a generous package worth about $13,351 plus a $1,500 completion bonus.

In other words: you get flown to Houston, housed, paid, and mentored by serious scientists working on the Moon, Mars, asteroids, and more. You go home with research experience, references, and a line on your CV that quietly screams, “I know what I am doing.”

The application isn’t impossible, but it is competitive. If you prepare thoughtfully, though, you can absolutely be in the running.

Below is your complete, no-nonsense guide.

LPI Summer Internship 2026 at a Glance

What This Planetary Science Internship Actually Offers

Think of this as a ten‑week crash course in what scientists really do all day.

You are not just shadowing someone and nodding. You are assigned to a project, given tasks that matter, and expected to contribute. That might mean:

• Analyzing data from spacecraft missions
• Working with images of lunar or Martian surfaces
• Running numerical models
• Studying meteorites or planetary materials
• Helping interpret observations from telescopes

The headline benefit is the funding package, which is substantial for a student internship:

• Around $13,351 in financial support that covers your round‑trip airfare, housing, stipend, and living costs. Housing costs are paid directly to the provider, so you are not stuck fronting rent out of pocket and waiting for reimbursement.
• An additional $1,500 bonus if you complete the program and meet its requirements. Translation: finish strong, and you walk away with even more.

But the financials are only half the story.

You’ll be in Houston, a space hub with NASA Johnson Space Center as its anchor. That means you’ll be surrounded by:

• Scientists working on active missions
• Engineers who build and test instruments and spacecraft components
• Other students who are just as obsessed with planets, moons, and dust grains as you are

You’ll likely attend seminars, group meetings, and informal discussions that give you a realistic view of scientific careers. Many interns present their work at the end of the program — which is exactly the kind of experience that turns into conference abstracts, faculty recommendations, and grad school talking points.

For a ten‑week slice of your life, this can be surprisingly transformational.

Where You Will Work: LPI and NASA Johnson in Houston

Interns are based at either:

• Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) – A research institute focused on planetary science, supporting NASA and the broader scientific community with research, data analysis, and mission-related studies.

• NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) – Best known for human spaceflight, but also home to major planetary science capabilities, from sample labs (think Moon rocks) to mission operations.

You won’t choose your office building like selecting a seat on a flight, but your placement will align with your project and mentor. Both environments are deeply embedded in the space community — and being physically on site is part of the magic. You’ll overhear hallway conversations about missions you’ve only read about.

Who Should Apply to the LPI Internship

This program is aimed at undergraduate students who are already reasonably far along in their studies. The key requirement is that you’ve completed at least 50 semester hours of credit (roughly halfway or more through a typical bachelor’s degree).

The internship is:

• Open worldwide: You can apply whether you’re studying in the US, Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America, or elsewhere.
• Open to US citizens and permanent residents, of course, but citizenship is not a barrier for international students.

While preferred majors include:

• Physical or natural sciences (physics, geology, astronomy, planetary science, chemistry, etc.)
• Engineering (mechanical, aerospace, electrical, etc.)
• Computer science
• Mathematics

…the program explicitly says all eligible students will be considered. So if you’re, say, a data‑savvy environmental science student, or a double major in geology and computer science, you still have a shot.

What they really care about is whether you:

• Can handle quantitative work
• Are genuinely interested in planetary or space science
• Can function in an English-speaking research environment

Some quick examples of good fits:

• A physics major who has done some coding and wants to explore space mission data.
• A geology student fascinated by Mars analog environments.
• A computer science student who has worked with image processing or machine learning and wants to apply it to planetary images.
• A math major who enjoys modeling and wants to try physical simulations.

If you have minimal direct space experience but strong general scientific skills, you can still make a compelling case, as long as your statement clearly connects your background to planetary research.

Eligibility and Language Requirements, in Plain English

The basic eligibility criteria are straightforward:

• You must be an undergraduate student.
• You must have completed at least 50 semester hours (or equivalent) by the time of the internship.
• You can be from any country.
• US and international applicants are both welcome.

On the English side, they want to be sure you can function in a research group where English is the working language. You can prove this in any one of these ways:

• TOEFL score, or
• IELTS score, or
• A letter from your current institution confirming that your coursework is in English and that your language skills are sufficient.

This last option is gold for students whose universities teach in English but who haven’t taken standardized tests. Talk to your department or registrar early so you’re not chasing this letter at the last minute.

Insider Tips for a Winning LPI Application

You are not the only person on Earth who thinks “planetary science internship at NASA adjacent” sounds cool. This will be competitive. Here’s how to stand out.

1. Treat the personal statement like a mini research proposal

Don’t just say, “I love space” and paste in your favorite Carl Sagan quote.

Instead, show that you understand what planetary science actually looks like. Mention specific interests, such as:

• Impact cratering
• Volcanism on other planets
• Habitability of icy moons
• Orbital dynamics
• Planetary atmospheres
• Sample analysis and meteorites

Connect these interests to concrete skills you have: coding, lab work, data analysis, image processing, statistics, field geology, etc. Your goal is to help reviewers think, “I can imagine this person plugging right into a project.”

2. Make your coursework and experience tell a coherent story

You don’t need a perfect transcript, but you should highlight the classes and experiences that prepared you for this program.

If you’ve taken courses like differential equations, geophysics, planetary geology, physical chemistry, or advanced programming, spell out how they relate to planetary science. Same with experiences: a physics lab course, a small research project, or even a strong term paper can all be framed as preparation.

3. Choose recommenders strategically and brief them well

You’ll need at least two letters of reference (they allow up to three).

Pick people who can speak specifically about your:

• Analytical skills
• Independence and initiative
• Reliability and communication
• Problem-solving under uncertainty (which is basically all of science)

Then brief them. Send them:

• Your CV
• A draft of your personal statement
• A short bullet list of things you hope they can highlight (e.g., “my coding and data analysis skills from your class/project”)

This is not annoying; this is doing their job for them.

4. International students: tackle the English requirement early

If you need TOEFL or IELTS, schedule it months before the deadline. If you’re using a letter from your institution, identify who can sign it (e.g., departmental chair, program director, registrar) and ask well ahead of time.

A fantastic application blocked by missing language proof is tragic and completely avoidable.

5. Show that you understand what 10 weeks means

Reviewers want students who have realistic expectations. In your application, show that you grasp the scale of a ten‑week project. You’ll likely refine an existing project rather than invent an entire mission from scratch.

Phrases like “I hope to contribute to…” and “I am excited to assist with…” go a long way, especially when paired with specific examples of how you’ve done similar work in shorter timeframes (term projects, summer research, etc.).

6. Proofread like your future depends on it (because it might)

Sloppy writing is a quiet red flag. Get at least one friend, mentor, or advisor to read your materials and point out typos, vague phrases, and confusing sentences. If they don’t understand why you’re a good fit after one read, fix it.

Application Timeline: Working Backward from the Deadline

You’ll see the program listed as “ongoing” in some places, but there is a concrete date floating around: 12 December 2025. Treat that as your hard deadline.

Here’s a realistic backward plan:

September – early October 2025
Start your research. Read the official LPI internship page, skim past project descriptions from previous years if available, and think about what kind of work you’d like to do. Make a rough list of skills and experiences you want to highlight.

Mid–October 2025
Draft your personal statement. Aim for clarity over drama. Explain who you are, what you’ve studied, why planetary science, and what you hope to gain from the internship. Contact potential recommenders now and confirm they are willing.

Late October – early November 2025
Refine your statement and update your CV. Request your official transcripts from your university — some institutions move at glacial speed, so do not wait. If you need an English letter, request it now.

Mid–November 2025
Complete the online application form sections aside from uploads, so you’re not doing data entry at the last minute. Remind your letter writers of the deadline and provide any upload links or instructions they need.

Late November – early December 2025
Final polish. Check every section for consistency (dates, course names, GPA formats). Make sure your documents are properly named and in the required format (PDF is usually safest).

By 10 December 2025
Submit your full application, ideally a couple of days before the 12 December deadline to avoid any last‑minute tech horror stories. After submitting, verify that your reference letters have been received (if the portal shows status).

Required Materials and How to Prepare Them

The program specifies several pieces you must submit. Here is what that really means for you:

1. Online application form
   You’ll fill this out on the official portal. Have on hand: contact info, academic history, relevant courses, GPA, and basic details on your experience.

2. Official transcripts
   These must be official, not screenshots of your student portal. Depending on your university, you may need to request electronic transcripts be sent directly or download a secure PDF. Request early. If your transcripts are not in English, ask about official translations.

3. Letters of reference (at least two, up to three)
   Confirm how they are submitted — typically your recommenders receive a link via email. Make sure they know the deadline and send polite reminders well ahead of time.

4. Proof of English proficiency
   Provide ONE of the following:

   • TOEFL score
   • IELTS score
   • Letter from your institution stating that your coursework is in English and that you are capable of participating fully in an English-speaking program

5. CV or resume (if the portal requests it, which many do)
   Tailor this to scientific and technical experiences: coursework, programming languages, lab skills, relevant projects, any research, and science-related extracurriculars.

Every document should support the same story: you are prepared, serious, and very motivated to contribute to planetary science.

What Makes an Application Stand Out to Reviewers

Programs like this tend to value a mix of factors. While LPI may not publish a formal scoring rubric, successful applications usually shine in these areas:

Academic readiness

You don’t need straight As, but you do need evidence that you can handle upper‑level scientific or technical work. Strong grades in math, physics, geology, computer science, or engineering courses can help. If your GPA has bumps, use your statement to explain context briefly (don’t write a novel) and point to upward trends.

Technical and analytical skills

Planetary projects often depend on programming, data analysis, image processing, lab work, or statistical interpretation. Even if you’ve only done this in class projects, emphasize it. For instance:

• Languages: Python, MATLAB, C++, R
• Tools: GIS, image analysis software, numerical modeling packages
• Lab techniques: microscopy, spectroscopy, sample preparation

Clear interest in planetary or space science

You don’t need prior space research, but you do need to show that you’re not randomly applying to every program that mentions “summer” and “stipend.” Mention relevant books, courses, projects, or public lectures that shaped your interest, and tie them to concrete goals.

Professionalism and reliability

Letters that say “this student always meets deadlines, asks smart questions, and isn’t afraid of hard problems” carry a lot of weight. Your own tone matters too: confident but not arrogant, enthusiastic but grounded in reality.

Common Mistakes to Avoid (and How to Fix Them)

Mistake 1: Generic, copy‑paste personal statements

If your statement could be used unchanged to apply to a climate policy internship or a marketing job, it’s too vague. Fix it by adding LPI‑specific and planetary‑specific detail: missions you admire, planetary topics that fascinate you, and how your background fits this field.

Mistake 2: Treating references as an afterthought

Waiting until a week before the deadline to ask for letters is a good way to get bland, rushed recommendations. Fix: ask at least a month in advance, provide material, and send a reminder a week before the deadline.

Mistake 3: Ignoring the English proof requirement

Hoping they won’t notice is not a strategy. Fix: decide early whether you’ll use a test score or institutional letter, and handle it before you do anything else.

Mistake 4: Under‑selling your skills

Students often think, “I only did that in class, so it doesn’t count.” It does. Fix: list relevant class projects, labs, and assignments where you analyzed data, wrote code, or interpreted scientific results. Frame them as evidence of your readiness.

Mistake 5: Submitting at the last minute

Online systems fail at the worst possible times. Fix: set your personal deadline a few days earlier. Treat submission as a process, not a one‑hour task.

Frequently Asked Questions about the LPI Internship

1. Do I need prior research experience to be competitive?
No, but it helps. Many strong applicants have done a small research project, a previous internship, or a substantial course project. If you haven’t, lean on coursework, technical skills, and a clear explanation of why you want to move into research.

2. I’m not a physics or geology major. Can I still apply?
Yes. Preferred majors include physical/natural sciences, engineering, computer science, and mathematics. If you’re in a related quantitative field (e.g., environmental science with strong math, data science, or even some branches of applied economics with heavy modeling), you can still be a good fit — just connect your skills to planetary problems.

3. I’m an international student. Is funding different for me?
The program is fully funded and explicitly open to international students. The stated support amount (~$13,351 plus completion bonus) covers airfare, housing, and living costs regardless of where you are from, though exact travel logistics may vary by distance and visa requirements.

4. Do I need IELTS if I already study in English?
Not necessarily. You can provide ONE of the following: TOEFL, IELTS, or a letter from your current institution confirming that your degree is taught in English and that your language ability is sufficient. For many students at English‑medium universities, that letter is the easiest route.

5. Is this only for students in their final year?
No. The key requirement is at least 50 semester hours completed. That usually means late second year or beyond in many systems. You can apply earlier than your final year, which is actually smart if you’re eyeing grad school later.

6. Where will I live in Houston?
Housing is arranged and paid directly out of your support package. You won’t be booking random rentals yourself with your own credit card. Details come from the program, but the important part is: housing is covered.

7. Can this help me get into grad school or NASA later?
Absolutely. Having LPI or NASA Johnson on your CV, plus a mentor who can write a strong recommendation and possibly a research product (poster, abstract, or paper contribution), is significant. Many planetary scientists trace their career momentum back to an early summer internship like this.

8. Can I apply more than once if I’m not selected?
Programs like this often see repeat applicants. If you’re early in your studies, you might use a first attempt as a learning experience, then reapply with stronger coursework, skills, or experience the following year.

How to Apply for the 2026 LPI Summer Internship

When you are ready to stop just thinking “this sounds cool” and actually throw your hat in the ring, here is what to do:

1. Read the official program information carefully.
   Go to the application portal and any linked program pages. Make sure you confirm all current requirements, dates, and details, as they can change from year to year.

2. Plan your materials and timeline.
   List what you need: transcripts, references, English proof, personal statement, and any other documents. Put the December 12, 2025 deadline (or the latest official date you see on the site) in your calendar and work backward.

3. Start the online application early.
   Don’t wait until everything is polished to create your account. Fill in basic sections now; you can update and upload documents later.

4. Coordinate with your recommenders and institution.
   Confirm that your reference letters and transcripts will arrive on time. Politely remind your letter writers as the deadline approaches.

5. Do a final, ruthless review.
   Read through everything once as if you’re a reviewer who has five minutes per file. Is it clear why you belong in this program? Are there any obvious gaps?

6. Submit ahead of the deadline.
   Aim to submit a few days early. After submitting, double‑check your portal status to ensure all required components, especially reference letters, are showing as received.

Get Started: Official LPI Internship Application Link

Ready to go from “space is cool” to “I spent my summer doing research at LPI or NASA Johnson”?

Start with the official application page here:

Apply for the 2026 LPI Summer Internship:
https://www.lpi.usra.edu/lpiintern/app/application_form/

Use the official site as your source of truth for final eligibility rules, updated deadlines, and any detailed instructions. Then put together an application that shows exactly why you deserve ten weeks in Houston doing real planetary science — fully funded.