Imagine spending a summer working side by side with NASA scientists and engineers. If you’re a New Zealand postgraduate student in STEM, this scholarship might turn that into reality. The 2026 New Zealand Space Scholarship (offered by the New Zealand Space Agency at MBIE) allows selected students to travel to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Southern California for a three-month research internship, working on real space missions.
Below you’ll find every important detail: what the program is, who’s eligible, what you get, what topics you can work on, how to apply, deadlines, and what to watch out for if you’re considering this.
Program Snapshot
Program: New Zealand Space Scholarship (2026)
Coverage: Fully funded internship (travel, accommodation, living expenses)
Nationality: New Zealand citizens
Degree Level: Postgraduate (STEM)
Duration: 3 months (summer in the US: ~June to September 2026)
Host Country: United States (NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Southern California)
About the Scholarship
This scholarship is part of New Zealand’s strategy to strengthen its space and advanced aviation sectors. The goal is to prepare high-performing students for future careers in space-science, engineering, advanced aviation, and related fields.
During the internship:
- You’ll work on world-leading space missions and science projects under supervision (mentor-led) at JPL.
- It’s expected that you’ll show professionalism, enthusiasm, and strong self-management (a lot happens fast in settings like JPL).
- You’ll also “give back” by participating in outreach and social media/public communication about your work – both for New Zealand’s space sector and U.S. partners.
What’s Covered (the Benefits)
If you get this scholarship, here’s what MBIE will fund:
- Return economy airfare from New Zealand to the United States.
- Accommodation while you’re interning at JPL.
- A daily allowance for living expenses.
- Reasonable travel-related costs, for example insurance.
However, anything beyond what’s specified (i.e. extra costs not covered) will be on you. Also, you’ll need to sign a contract with MBIE and meet certain obligations.
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Eligibility Criteria
To apply, you must satisfy all of the following:
- Be a New Zealand citizen. (NASA requires this.)
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Be enrolled in, or have plans to enrol in, a postgraduate STEM degree at a New Zealand tertiary institution. The field needs to be relevant to NASA’s mission priorities. If you finish your graduate degree in 2025, you can still apply, but must confirm enrolment for 2026 to be eligible.
- Have a strong academic record. Specifically, a minimum GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0 (converted from your New Zealand grades to a U.S. 4.0 scale).
- Good written and spoken English.
- Be available to participate in-person from June to September 2026 (dates subject to change).
- Be able and willing to undergo any required health and security checks for U.S. travel and entry to federal facilities.
- Be eligible for a U.S. visa (J1 or F1) and understand the visa conditions.
- Be able to obtain appropriate insurance cover.
- Finally, not hold or have held citizenship in any country listed on NASA’s “Designated Countries List.” If you have, that disqualifies you.
Possible Fields of Study (Research Topics)
When applying, you’ll choose up to two topics (from a list) that align with your study and NASA’s priorities. These include:
- Advanced aviation (autonomous flight, air traffic management)
- AI, machine learning, advanced computing
- Astrobiology and biology (especially human performance in extreme environments)
- Astrophysics, space sciences, exploration
- Autonomy and robotics
- Deep space communications
- Earth observation and Earth science (including airborne science)
- Instrument & sensor design and development
- Planetary science
- Science & Space Communication
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Selection Process
This is competitive. The process works roughly as follows:
- MBIE (New Zealand Space Agency) vets/shortlists candidates.
- Shortlisted ones are submitted to JPL for final selection.
- Key evaluation criteria include academic excellence; relevant experience to possible JPL projects; personal traits like motivation, interpersonal skills, self-management; and how much the candidate wants to contribute both at JPL and to NZ’s space sector.
Obligations & Important Notes
If you’re selected, there are obligations and conditions to be aware of:
- You’ll need to agree to a participant code of conduct.
- Must have (and maintain) travel and medical insurance for duration.
- Participate in promotional, outreach or alumni activities.
- The internship doesn’t count for credit toward New Zealand qualifications.
- If you accept the scholarship but don’t complete your required tertiary qualification, you might have to repay the full scholarship amount.
- Because this is a USA-based internship, travel/visa/health/security issues may arise (e.g. consular services, public health conditions, federal facility access). Stay up to date.
Deadline & How to Apply
- Application deadline: Sunday, 19 October 2025, 11:59pm.
- How to apply: Through the MBIE’s online portal. The New Zealand Space Agency is the official body that collects applications and does the pre-selection.
- Before applying, read all details carefully: eligibility, topics, obligations, etc. Give yourself time to prepare transcripts, proof of enrollment (if needed), visa/insurance documents.
Why This Opportunity Matters
It’s not just about going to the U.S. It’s what you bring back that counts—and what you become along the way. Working at JPL exposes you to:
- Cutting-edge research in space science and engineering.
- Global networks: mentors, collaborators, scientists.
- A chance to stand out in space/aviation fields in New Zealand. Because these sectors are growing fast, experience like this could be a differentiator.
- Inspiring others: by doing outreach or sharing your experience, you get to contribute to the community and maybe inspire future students.
Also, with New Zealand’s ambition to double the size of its space and advanced aviation sectors by 2030, this scholarship is part of national strategy.
Tips for a Strong Application
Here are some things that might help you stand out:
- Show clearly how your past work or study aligns with one or two of the listed topics.
- Demonstrate leadership, self-management, and motivation. Letters of reference that highlight these can help.
- Be detailed about why you want to intern at JPL: what you hope to learn, contribute, and how you’ll use it afterwards.
- Start early: visa paperwork, insurance, proof of enrolment can take time.
- Check your GPA conversion to U.S. 4.0 scale (if that’s required). Make sure your transcripts/grades are in good order.
- Be ready for the outreach / promotional component: think about how you’d share your experience (blogs, talks, social media, etc.).
Conclusion
If you’re a STEM postgraduate student in New Zealand with a dream of doing something extraordinary, the New Zealand Space Scholarship 2026 is worth going for. It offers rare access, great learning, and a platform to launch a future in space or advanced aviation.
Here’s the official link to get full details and apply:
Official Link
Good luck! I hope you go for it — and reach for the stars.