Get a Fully Funded Space Astronomy Internship 2026: STScI SASP 9-Week Summer Program with Visa and Airfare

If you want to spend a summer working where the Hubble and Webb missions are supported — writing code, calibrating instruments, or polishing science for public audiences — the Space Telescope Science Institute’s Space Astronomy Summer Program (SASP) is one of those rare internships that actually pays you to learn. STScI runs this annually on its Baltimore campus and for 2026 the program returns as a fully funded, nine-week residential summer experience for undergraduates and beginning graduate students from anywhere in the world.

This is not a coffee-fetching internship. You’ll be embedded with scientists and engineers who do real work that matters to space-based telescopes: data reduction, software development, instrument support, scientific writing, and public outreach. STScI covers airfare, visa assistance, housing, a weekly stipend, and provides the hardware you need to get work done. In plain terms: if you get in, you can focus on science and learning, not on scraping together rent or worrying about travel logistics.

The program runs during the northern hemisphere summer and is highly competitive. Think of it as a condensed research apprenticeship: intense, hands-on, and career-shaping. Below I’ve unpacked everything you need to know — who should apply, what to prepare, how reviewers think, and a realistic timeline so you don’t scramble at the last minute.

At a Glance

Why This Internship Matters

Put bluntly: SASP is a CV accelerator. Spending two months inside STScI gives you direct exposure to how modern space astronomy is done — not just the glamour of images but the gritty details of pipelines, instrument calibration, and how results move from raw telemetry to publishable science and public outreach. For students interested in astronomy, astrophysics, or scientific software engineering, it’s one of the shortest paths to hands-on experience with mission-scale systems.

Beyond skill building, SASP offers networking that actually opens doors. You’ll work alongside staff scientists and engineers who have ties to observatory projects and academic groups. A strong summer project at STScI can become a thesis chapter, a conference poster, or the seed of a paper. For international students, the program is particularly valuable because STScI helps with visa paperwork — a practical barrier that often prevents excellent candidates from participating in US-based internships.

Finally, the program mixes technical work with science communication and outreach. If you want to learn how to tell a technical story to the public, or how to translate a data reduction result into a clear, visual narrative, SASP gives you opportunities to practice those skills in a real institutional context.

What This Opportunity Offers

STScI explicitly funds the full experience: round-trip airfare, housing on/near campus, a weekly stipend to cover modest living expenses, a work visa if you need one, and access to a laptop or institution computers during the internship. Those tangible benefits remove the usual obstacles that make summer opportunities accessible only to students with flexible finances.

On the academic side, SASP places interns in supervised projects with clear deliverables. Past interns have worked on reducing Hubble imaging datasets, building software to process spectroscopic observations, calibrating instrument responses, writing technical documentation, and preparing outreach materials or blog posts to explain discoveries. You’ll usually have a staff mentor and a project plan, so you’ll end the summer with something concrete — code, documentation, reduced data products, or a draft paper.

Career-wise, the experience signals to future employers and grad school committees that you can operate in a professional, mission-level science environment. This is not a peripheral “lab assistant” role; you’ll be expected to contribute meaningfully. STScI also hosts seminars and social sessions where you can hear about mission operations, instrument teams, and career paths in astronomy and software engineering.

Who Should Apply

SASP is built for students who already have some technical foundation and a clear interest in space-based astronomy or scientific software. Ideal candidates include undergraduates who have completed relevant coursework in physics, astronomy, computer science, or engineering, and beginning graduate students who want to expand practical experience early in their program.

If you have written Python scripts to analyze telescope data, contributed to a small open-source project, or completed a course project involving signal or image processing, you’re a competitive applicant. Equally, if your strengths lie in communication (science writing, outreach programming) and you can show examples — blog posts, posters, outreach events — you’ll have a place in projects that focus on public-facing work.

Examples:

• A third-year physics major who has taken introductory astronomy and written Python scripts to stack images.
• A computer science student who has contributed to a GitHub project for scientific data formats and wants to apply those skills to astronomical pipelines.
• A beginning MS student with a background in instrumentation who wants to learn how telescopes are calibrated and supported.
• An international undergraduate who has strong grades and a compelling short essay describing a project they’d like to pursue.

STScI explicitly welcomes applicants from all nationalities and assists with the US visa process, which broadens the pool. That said, “open to all nationals” does not mean the program will accept inexperienced applicants; competition is stiff, and reviewers look for demonstrated aptitude and a clear match between applicant skills and available projects.

Internship Areas and Types of Projects

Projects at SASP typically fall into several thematic groups. Below I describe each with typical tasks.

• Data Reduction and Interpretation: Cleaning imaging and spectroscopic data, calibrating instruments, measuring fluxes and uncertainties, and preparing datasets for scientific analysis. You might work with Hubble or Webb data, apply correction algorithms, and generate plots for a mentor’s research.
• Software Development/Engineering: Writing or testing code that forms parts of data pipelines, building tools for data visualization, or contributing to software that supports mission science. Tasks include coding in Python, working with version control, and writing tests or documentation.
• Instrument Calibration and Support: Assisting engineers and scientists who maintain the accuracy of detectors and optics. This can involve analyzing calibration frames, modeling instrument responses, or automating routine checks.
• Scientific Writing and Outreach: Drafting technical notes, producing educational materials, writing blog posts or visualizations for public release, and participating in outreach events. If you have experience communicating technical concepts clearly, these projects let you apply that skill in a high-profile environment.

Each project aims to leave you with an identifiable output — code in a repository, a reduced data product, a technical memo, or outreach content — which you can point to on your CV.

Eligibility and Required Documents

The program is open to applicants worldwide. Both U.S. citizens and international students may apply. Targeted applicants are undergraduate students and beginning graduate students (early-stage masters or PhD students). While there isn’t a strict GPA cutoff publicly stated, competitive candidates typically demonstrate strong academic performance and relevant experience.

Required materials are straightforward but must be done well:

• A short essay or statement of interest describing your background, what you want to work on, and how the experience fits your career plans.
• One or more reference letters from faculty or professionals who can speak to your technical ability and work ethic.
• A completed online application form with academic transcripts and contact information.

The application portal will request details about your skills (programming, instrumentation, data analysis) and may ask you to indicate project preferences. Tailor your statement of interest to the projects you choose — generic essays are easy for reviewers to spot.

Insider Tips for a Winning Application

Getting into SASP requires strategy; here are specific, actionable moves that actually improve your chances.

1. Start with a crisp, focused statement of interest. This is not the place for a long life story. State clearly what technical skills you bring, which project areas interest you, and one concrete goal you want to achieve by the end of the summer (e.g., “I aim to develop and validate a Python routine to subtract sky background from near-IR images and deliver a documented script and sample dataset”).

2. Show evidence, not claims. If you say you know Python, link to a GitHub repo or attach a sample script. If you’ve done data reduction, include a short before-and-after example or brief description of the dataset. Concrete artifacts beat adjectives.

3. Choose recommenders who will write specific letters. Tell them the project areas you’re applying to and remind them of particular examples they can cite (a lab report, a project, or your contribution to a team). Vague praise does less for you than a focused, evidence-based endorsement.

4. Match your skills to STScI needs. If you’re a strong communicator, highlight outreach and writing experience. If you’re a coder, emphasize algorithmic work and familiarity with scientific packages (Astropy, NumPy, scipy). If you lack one skill, explain how you’ll bridge the gap during the summer (e.g., “I plan to complete an online course in astronomical data analysis before arriving”).

5. Prepare for collaboration. Explain a past instance when you worked on a team or resolved a technical disagreement. STScI values people who can contribute technically and operate well in a professional setting.

6. Polish the basics: proofread the essay, ensure transcripts and references are in order, submit before the deadline. Administrative slip-ups are surprisingly common reasons strong candidates fall out.

Putting these tips into practice requires time. Start at least six weeks before the deadline — identify referees early, draft and revise your essay, and collect any evidence you’ll attach or link to.

Application Timeline (Realistic and Backwards)

Work backwards from the January 23, 2026 deadline and create checkpoints so you’re not scrambling.

• 6–8 weeks before deadline: Read the official program page carefully. Identify projects of interest, contact potential referees, and gather transcripts.
• 4–6 weeks before: Draft your statement of interest and gather supporting artifacts (code, figures, short writeups). Ask referees to confirm they’ll submit letters.
• 2–3 weeks before: Finalize application answers, verify transcript uploads, and check reference letters are uploaded or on schedule. Run a final spell check and ask a mentor to read your statement.
• 3–5 days before: Do a final login to the application portal and submit. Systems can fail; don’t leave submission to the last day.
• After submission: Keep an eye on your email for confirmation and any follow-up requests. If you’re selected, expect additional logistics questions about travel and visa documents.

Required Materials — How to Prepare Them Well

A short list of documents — but each must be high quality.

• Application form: Complete every field; incomplete forms can be disqualifying.
• Statement of interest (essay): Aim for clarity and specificity. Use short paragraphs. Lead with the two or three strongest qualifications that make you a match.
• Reference letters: Provide your referees with your CV, project interests, and a short paragraph you’d like them to mention. That makes the task easier for them and stronger for you.
• Transcripts or grade report: If your institution provides unofficial transcripts, include those if official ones are slow; label them clearly.
• Supporting artifacts: Link to a GitHub repo, a small PDF of a project, or a sample poster. Keep artifacts concise — one or two demonstrative files are better than a mountain of unrelated documents.

If you’re an international applicant, scan a copy of your passport early and have a list of travel constraints (e.g., visa waiting periods) ready. STScI assists with visas but they will rely on accurate information from you.

What Makes an Application Stand Out

Reviewers at STScI are looking for three things: technical fit, demonstrated initiative, and clarity of purpose. Technical fit means your skills align with the project needs. Demonstrated initiative means you have done something beyond coursework — personal projects, open-source contributions, or involvement in research labs. Clarity of purpose means your essay explains what you will work on and why the summer at STScI is the right place for that work.

A standout application often includes:

• A specific project goal that is achievable in nine weeks.
• Evidence of prior related work (code, data analysis, instrument lab experience).
• A referee who writes with concrete examples of your abilities and character.
• A succinct portfolio item that shows you can deliver a finished product.

Reviewers appreciate when applicants anticipate challenges and propose realistic mitigation steps (e.g., “If I don’t get runtime access to certain datasets, I’ll implement and test my algorithms on archived Hubble calibration data which is publicly available”).

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Several patterns trip up applicants. Here’s how to avoid them.

1. Vague essays: Saying you “love astronomy” is not the same as showing you can do the work. Replace generalities with specific examples and goals.

2. Overreaching project claims: Proposing an impossible nine-week project signals poor planning. Break large ideas into a focused piece you can finish well.

3. Weak references: A lukewarm letter is worse than none. Ask for letters early and give referees a reminder and materials to write a targeted recommendation.

4. Last-minute submission: Technical problems happen. Submit several days early and confirm your materials uploaded correctly.

5. Ignoring outreach components: If you have outreach experience, highlight it. STScI values public-facing science and candidates who can translate technical results.

6. Missing administrative details for international applicants: While STScI helps with visas, you still must provide accurate passport information and any travel restrictions promptly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need prior research experience?
A: No strict requirement, but successful applicants usually show some practical experience — coursework projects, coding samples, or lab work. What matters is demonstrable ability and a clear plan for a summer project.

Q: Can graduate students apply?
A: Beginning graduate students (early in their program) are eligible. If you’re deep into a PhD with ongoing commitments, verify whether your timeline fits a full nine-week residency.

Q: Will STScI help with the visa?
A: Yes. STScI assists international interns with work visa paperwork. You still must provide accurate passport information and follow instructions promptly.

Q: Is housing guaranteed on campus?
A: The program provides or arranges housing; specifics vary year to year. Expect shared housing or campus-adjacent accommodations and a weekly stipend for incidental expenses.

Q: Is there an application fee?
A: No, the application is free.

Q: What language proficiency is required?
A: Projects and mentoring are in English. Strong written and spoken English is important, especially for communication-heavy projects.

Q: Are there publications expected?
A: Not typically required, but many interns produce outputs that contribute to a mentor’s work and can appear in technical notes, conference posters, or papers with additional work.

How to Apply / Next Steps

Ready to take action? Here’s a short checklist that will get you across the finish line:

1. Visit the official program page and read the full description and dates: https://www.stsci.edu/opportunities/space-astronomy-summer-program
2. Note the deadline (January 23, 2026) and create your personal timeline to gather references and materials.
3. Draft a concise statement of interest that names a project goal you can complete in nine weeks. Attach a sample of relevant work (code, poster, or report).
4. Ask two or three referees early and provide them with your CV and the project areas you prefer.
5. Submit your application several days before the deadline and confirm all uploads.

STScI offers an exceptional, fully funded way to spend a summer deep in space science. It demands preparation and focus, but if you invest the time to prepare a specific, evidence-backed application, you’ll give yourself a real shot at a career-defining summer.

Apply Now

Ready to apply? Visit the official opportunity page for full details, dates, and the application portal: https://www.stsci.edu/opportunities/space-astronomy-summer-program

Good luck — and may your summer include more data and fewer broken builds.