Get a Fully Funded Planetary Science Internship 2026: LPI Summer Internship (Up to $13,351 + $1,500 Bonus)

If you want a summer that actually changes the direction of your career — not just a line on your resume — the 2026 LPI Summer Internship is one to watch. For ten weeks in Houston, you’ll work with planetary scientists, join projects at the Lunar and Planetary Institute or NASA Johnson Space Center, and get paid to do real research. The program is fully funded, open to international students and US citizens, and runs June 1–August 7, 2026. The stipend package totals $13,351 and includes airfare, housing (paid directly to the vendor), and living expenses. Complete the program and meet requirements and you may receive an extra $1,500.

This is not an observation post. Interns participate in active research, gain mentorship from established scientists, and experience the day-to-day of lab or mission-support work. Think of it as a compressed crash course in how planetary science actually gets done: reading papers is one thing, building models and analyzing data is another. If you’re an undergrad who’s finished roughly 50 semester hours and you study physics, geology, engineering, computer science, mathematics, or a related field, this program was written for you — but applicants from other backgrounds are considered too.

Below I’ll walk you through everything you need to know: the nuts and bolts of funding, who should apply, how to assemble a competitive application, a realistic timeline, what reviewers care about, and the mistakes that sink otherwise great candidates. Read this as your application playbook.

At a Glance

What This Opportunity Offers

The program provides financial support sufficient to travel, live, and work in Houston for ten weeks without a side job. The $13,351 is intended to cover airfare, a stipend, housing (paid directly to a housing provider), and daily living costs. The housing paid-to-vendor model often means you’ll be placed in group housing or an approved apartment, which simplifies logistics and reduces the chance of surprise bills. On top of that, a $1,500 bonus may be awarded to interns who fully meet program requirements — a nice extra if you deliver on your project and comply with reporting.

Beyond money, this internship is a short apprenticeship. You’ll be paired with a mentor, assigned to an active research task, and expected to produce tangible outcomes: software tools, data analysis, a final report, and often a poster or presentation. Those outputs are not just busywork — they’re concrete evidence of your contribution and can become the seeds of future undergraduate research, senior theses, or graduate applications.

You’ll also be immersed in a NASA-adjacent professional environment. That exposure matters. Meeting scientists at LPI and Johnson Space Center, sitting in on team meetings, and watching how mission science teams coordinate vastly shortens the time it takes to understand how research priorities are set and executed. Those are the kinds of lessons textbooks don’t teach.

Who Should Apply

This internship is aimed primarily at undergraduates who have completed about two years of college-level coursework (50 semester hours is the minimum). If you’re a sophomore, junior, or nontraditional student with coursework or experience in physics, planetary geology, astronomy, computer science, engineering, or applied math, you’re squarely in the target group. That said, the program will consider applicants from other disciplines if they can demonstrate relevant quantitative or laboratory skills.

Real-world examples of good applicants:

• A junior physics major who has taken courses in classical mechanics and programming, and who has completed a small data-analysis project using Python.
• A geology student who’s done fieldwork and can explain how rock stratigraphy skills translate to interpreting planetary surfaces.
• An engineering student who’s built instrumentation projects or written software for sensors, plus knowledge of data pipelines.
• A computer science student with experience in machine learning, image processing, or handling large datasets, eager to apply those skills to planetary remote-sensing data.

If you don’t fit those profiles exactly but you can point to a clear reason why your skillset maps to planetary research — for example, a statistics minor who’s applied statistical methods to ecological data — make that mapping explicit in your application. Reviewers are looking for evidence that you can do the assigned work and will benefit from the mentorship.

International students are welcome. Note that while the program covers airfare and basic living costs, visa arrangements are typically the applicant’s responsibility. Reach out to LPI early to request any official invitation letters you may need for visa applications and check whether the program provides assistance or insurance.

Insider Tips for a Winning Application

This section contains the tactics that separate “good” candidates from “memorable” ones. Put these into practice.

1. Start with a crisp project pitch. The application will likely ask about interests and potential projects. Don’t write a generic paragraph; instead, describe specific research interests and one or two concrete tasks you’d like to work on. Example: “I’m interested in thermal inertia studies of asteroid regolith. I can script thermal model runs in Python and have experience handling infrared datasets.” Specificity signals preparedness.

2. Show recent, relevant work. Even a small GitHub repository or a class project can be persuasive. Link to code, posters, or lab reports. If you’ve done undergraduate research, summarize your contribution with numbers: sample size, runtime, accuracy improvements, or datasets processed. Reviewers prefer quantifiable evidence.

3. Tailor your references. Choose referees who can speak to your research potential, not just your attendance record. A professor who supervised a lab project and can cite how you solved a data problem is far more valuable than a general-purpose academic counselor. Provide your letter writers with a one-page summary of your goals and the program so they can write focused letters.

4. Explain technical gaps and remediation plans. If your coursework in planetary science is limited, say so — but pair that with a short plan: “I will complete an online course in remote sensing and a guided tutorial on ISIS (USGS software) before June.” That shows initiative and reduces perceived risk.

5. Polish your writing. The program receives many strong technical applicants; clear, concise prose gives you an edge. Use active verbs, avoid jargon unless defined, and make sure your statement explains why this internship is pivotal to your next steps.

6. Prepare for logistics early. International candidates should begin visa paperwork as soon as possible. Also, secure a passport that’s valid for at least six months beyond the internship dates. If you need official documentation from LPI, request it promptly.

7. Ask smart questions. Before applying, email the program coordinator with one or two focused questions about the kinds of projects available or housing arrangements. Thoughtful questions can lead to useful clarifications and sometimes to mentor suggestions.

Apply these tips to every part of your application: narrative, CV, references, and interview (if any).

Application Timeline (Realistic and Workable)

Work backward from December 12, 2025. Here’s a practical schedule that keeps you from panicking in the final week.

• September–October 2025: Identify potential referees and notify them. Draft your project interest paragraph and CV. Begin any short technical upskilling (Python, remote sensing tutorials).
• November 2025: Request official transcripts and check with your school’s registrar on processing times. Finalize your application statement and have two readers (one technical, one non-specialist) critique it.
• Late November–early December 2025: Collect reference letters. Many professors prefer at least three weeks’ notice. Confirm that letters are submitted through the portal or emailed per instructions.
• First week of December 2025: Perform a final proofread, verify all uploads (transcripts, CV, references), and submit your application at least 48 hours before the deadline to avoid last-minute portal failures.
• December 12, 2025: Application deadline. Don’t miss it — late submissions are usually not accepted.
• January–March 2026: Expect notifications or requests for additional information. If offered an interview or asked to clarify project interests, reply promptly.
• May 2026: Acceptance notifications and arrival logistics. If offered, confirm housing arrangements and travel booking details.

This timetable gives you breathing room. The biggest time sinks are references and official transcripts — start those early.

Required Materials and How to Prepare Them

The program uses an online application. Typical required documents include:

• A completed online application form with personal details and academic record.
• Official transcripts showing completed coursework (50+ semester hours). Request sealed electronic or paper transcripts early.
• Two to three reference letters (minimum two). Choose referees who can discuss your research potential and provide them with a one-page summary of the program and your goals.
• Proof of English proficiency: TOEFL or IELTS scores, or a letter from your home institution confirming English proficiency. If your university lists English-medium instruction on official stationery, that often suffices.
• A personal statement or project interest description detailing your background, relevant skills, and why you want this internship.
• A CV or resume that highlights technical skills, relevant coursework, programming languages, lab techniques, and any research outputs.

Preparation tips:

• Turn your transcript request into a calendar task — avoid surprises.
• For reference letters, provide bullet points to your referees that they can incorporate: specific projects, your role, outcomes, and personal qualities.
• If you lack standardized English scores, secure an institutional letter well before the deadline and check the program’s exact wording requirements.
• Keep copies of every submission in PDF form and log submission confirmations.

What Makes an Application Stand Out

Reviewers are looking for low-risk, high-upside applicants — people who can hit the ground running and who will benefit disproportionately from the experience.

Standout elements include:

• Demonstrated technical competency: course grades in relevant subjects, programming examples, or lab experience.
• A clear, focused research interest that aligns with LPI or JSC work. If you can name a dataset, instrument, or technique you want to work with, that helps.
• Evidence of initiative: summer projects, hackathons, undergraduate research, or published posters.
• Strong, specific reference letters that quantify your contributions and potential.
• Professionalism and communication: neat, concise writing; well-formatted CV; and timely responses to program inquiries.

If you can combine a strong technical foundation with clear career intent (e.g., “I want to pursue graduate work in planetary geophysics and need this experience to prepare”), your application will be memorable.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Waiting until the last minute for reference letters. Professors are busy — give them at least three weeks and provide a friendly reminder one week before submission.

2. Submitting vague project interests. A generic “I love space” statement won’t compete well. Be concrete about what you want to learn and contribute.

3. Ignoring formatting and proofreading. Sloppy writing screams unprofessional. Have at least two people review your essays.

4. Overclaiming skills you don’t have. If you list a programming language, be prepared to explain what you’ve built with it.

5. Assuming housing and visa details are automatic. Confirm housing arrangements and ask whether visa invitation letters or insurance are provided.

6. Not matching your skills to available projects. Read the program’s project descriptions (if available) and indicate how your background maps to those needs.

Avoid these traps and you’ll head into the selection pool with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who is eligible to apply? A: Undergraduate students who have completed at least 50 semester hours are eligible. Both international and US applicants may apply. Preferred majors include physical and natural sciences, engineering, computer science, and mathematics, but other applicants will be considered if they demonstrate relevant skills.

Q: Is the internship paid? A: Yes. The program provides $13,351 to cover airfare, stipend, housing (paid to the vendor), and living costs. There’s an additional $1,500 completion bonus for interns who meet program requirements.

Q: Do I need TOEFL or IELTS? A: You must provide proof of English proficiency. Acceptable options include TOEFL, IELTS, or a letter from your current institution confirming your English language skills. If you don’t have test scores, request the institutional letter well before the deadline.

Q: Will LPI help with visa paperwork for international students? A: The program often provides documentation required for visa applications, but visa processing is the applicant’s responsibility. Contact the program coordinator early for any official letters you need.

Q: What type of projects do interns work on? A: Projects vary by year but include data analysis, lab work, instrument calibration, model development, and mission support tasks. Your application should indicate specific areas of interest and relevant skills.

Q: How competitive is the program? A: Selection is competitive. Successful applicants show technical ability, clear project interest, and strong recommendations.

Q: Can the internship lead to publications or grad school opportunities? A: Yes. Strong interns may contribute to publications, present posters, or secure faculty mentors for future research. The experience also strengthens graduate school applications.

How to Apply (Next Steps)

Ready to take action? Here’s a concise checklist to move forward in the next 30 days:

1. Read the full program description and eligibility details on the official application page. Confirm the December 12, 2025 deadline.
2. Draft a one-page project interest statement and an updated CV.
3. Contact two referees and ask if they’ll submit letters (provide deadlines and a one-page summary for them).
4. Request official transcripts from your registrar.
5. If needed, arrange an English proficiency letter from your institution or schedule TOEFL/IELTS early.
6. Fill out and submit the online application at the link below at least 48 hours before the deadline.

Ready to apply? Visit the official opportunity page here:

How to Apply

Ready to apply? Visit the official LPI application page and submit your materials online: https://www.lpi.usra.edu/lpiintern/app/application_form/

If you have specific questions about projects, housing, or visa documentation, email the program contact listed on the official page — they can confirm details and provide necessary letters. Good applications are prepared, specific, and submitted early. If you put in the work now, this summer could be the one that redirects your entire academic path toward planetary science.