Eligibility

The program is open to qualified U.S. citizens and also to foreign citizens who are eligible to participant as J-1 Exchange Visitors.  Qualified candidates will be considered without regard to race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, mental or physical disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, or covered veteran’s status.

Program participants must have completed the degree requirements in the academic discipline required by the mentor before they may begin the appointment. 

An applicant for a postgraduate appointment or a postdoctoral appointment should have received a college degree in an appropriate discipline within five years of the desired starting date. 

An applicant for a faculty appointment must be a full-time faculty member at an accredited U.S. college or university.

Other applicants, including senior scientists who wish to collaborate with NASA scientists, will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

Participants must be located at the location of the mentor or an alternate NASA facility approved by the sponsor.  Any exception to this residency requirement must be approved by NASA and endorsed by ORISE.  Program mentors must be full-time employees of the NASA Center, university, or host facility.  Other potential mentors may be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

Any exception to these eligibility requirements must be approved by NASA and endorsed by ORISE.