APPLY NOW! LPI Summer Intern Program in Planetary Science 2025
Program Overview
The Lunar and Planetary Institute invites undergraduates with at least 50 semester hours of credit to experience cutting-edge research in the lunar and planetary sciences. Students with majors in physical or natural sciences, engineering, computer science, or mathematics are preferred, but all eligible students will be considered.
The 10-week program runs from June 2–August 8, 2025. Summer interns will work one-on-one with a scientist from the LPI or the NASA Johnson Space Center on a research project.
Selections are made based on information provided in the submitted application, such as academic experience and scientific interests, as well as specific research project requirements. Selected participants will be notified in March 2025. Interns participating in person will be located either at the Lunar and Planetary Institute or the NASA Johnson Space Center, both in Houston, Texas.
Eligibility
Undergraduates with at least 50 semester hours of credit are eligible. Students with majors in physical or natural sciences, engineering, computer science, or mathematics are preferred, but all eligible students will be considered. Applicants will be considered without regard to gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, race, religion, or other protected status.
Selection is based on these criteria:
- Scholarship, curriculum, and experience
- Career objectives and scientific interest
- Match of applicant’s interest with available research projects
All online application information must be received by the LPI no later than December 12, 2024, 11:59 p.m. U.S. CST. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. Notification of selection will be made by March 2025. Successful applicants should be prepared to make a decision regarding the offer to participate within two days of notification.
Enforcement of the REAL ID Act of 2005
Effective July 21, 2014, NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) is required to enforce a Department of Homeland Security rule that prohibits the LPI from accepting certain states’ driver’s licenses as official documents to obtain access at NASA JSC. This rule, passed by Congress as part of the REAL ID ACT of 2005, establishes minimum standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and prohibits federal agencies from accepting, for official use, licenses and identity cards from states that have not met those standards. Selected candidates from a state whose driver’s license does not meet those standards can use an alternate form of ID, such as a U.S. passport.
Application Requirements
You must apply using the online application form. Paper applications will not be accepted.
Once you begin the application, you must complete all questions on the form, including the essay-style questions. Upon submission, you will receive a confirmation email with your application number and a link to view the status of your letters of recommendation. You are required to submit at least two (maximum three) letters of recommendation and official transcripts to qualify for the program.
Transcripts and letters of recommendation may be submitted independently via the online application system, but they must be received by December 12, 2024, 11:59 p.m. U.S. CST, for your application to be considered. All application materials must be submitted in English.
Both official hard copy and electronic transcripts are accepted. We do not accept unofficial transcripts from the applicant. All official electronic transcripts should be sent directly from the college or the college’s vendors to internprogram@lpi.usra.edu. Include your application number in the address you provide to your registrar. Ask your college registrar to mail an official hard copy transcript to:
LPI Summer Intern Program
Application #
3600 Bay Area Boulevard
Houston, TX 77058-1113
Transcripts and letters of recommendation must be received by the LPI no later than December 12, 2024, 11:59 p.m. U.S. CST, for your application to be considered.
If you are a foreign national and English is not one of your main languages, you must provide proof of English proficiency through one of these accepted methods:
- Test Of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score
- A letter from one of the professors in the English department at your college confirming that you have sufficient spoken and written English language skills to successfully participate in the internship program.
Financial Support
Selected interns will receive up to $8056 in financial support to cover the costs associated with their stay in Houston during the program. This amount covers the internship stipend, travel, housing, and cost of living expenses. Housing costs are paid directly to the housing vendor on behalf of the intern from this total.
Interns who complete the internship program and meet program requirements by submitting an accepted abstract as first author to the upcoming Lunar and Planetary Science Conference are eligible to receive a stipend of up to $1,500 to defray travel expenses.
The benefits of this internship include:
- Gaining valuable research experience
- Developing new skills and refining others
- Meeting and working with professionals
- Establishing contacts for letters of reference and networking
- Experiencing a new work environment
Many of today’s leaders in planetary science are alumni of the LPI summer intern program. Every career starts somewhere, and we encourage you to join us as you embark on your journey.
Application Deadline: December 12, 2024
