NASA EarthRISE Developers Academy is a workforce-development and applied-research program run through the NASA Langley EarthRISE Office. Participants work in teams of four or five on projects that use NASA Earth-observation data to address practical challenges for partner organizations.
Fall 2026 projects cover water resources, disasters, agriculture, ecological conservation, and wildland fires at five NASA locations or through a virtual project. Teams complete research, geospatial analysis, presentations, and technical products with support from coordinators, science advisers, and mentors.
Benefits & funding
- Participants are hired through Analytical Mechanics Associates as part-time temporary contract employees.
- Hourly pay varies by education level, applicant classification, and locality; NASA does not publish a single rate.
- Onsite participants pay their own housing, living, and transportation costs.
- The Fall 2026 term lasts 10 weeks and requires 25–29 working hours per week.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be at least 18 by the term start and must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents.
- All participants must reside and work in one of the 50 U.S. states or Washington, D.C. throughout the term; virtual work from U.S. territories or abroad is not allowed.
- Applicants need demonstrated skills in Earth or environmental science, GIS, remote sensing, or computer science and a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
- Eligible classifications include students currently enrolled at an accredited U.S. community college or undergraduate or graduate institution, recent graduates of an accredited U.S. college or university, and early-career or career-transition professionals.
- Applicants must be available for 25–29 hours per week for the full term; onsite applicants also need personal transportation to the work location.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
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Residence required
USA
Age requirement
≥ 18 yrs
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Application process
- 1Review the application guide, logistics page, and current project locations.
- 2Create or sign in to an account when the eligibility portal is available, complete the profile, and submit the eligibility questions.
- 3Eligible applicants continue to the application form and complete the short essays.
- 4Request at least two recommendations, complete any optional voluntary information, review every section, and submit before the deadline.
Program timeline
May 25, 2026
Fall 2026 applications opened
June 26, 2026
Fall 2026 application deadline
July 10, 2026
Fall 2026 recommendations due
August 2026
Fall 2026 notifications
August 31, 2026
Spring 2027 applications open
September 14, 2026
Fall 2026 term starts
October 9, 2026
Spring 2027 application deadline
October 23, 2026
Spring 2027 recommendations due
November 20, 2026
Fall 2026 term ends
November–December 2026
Spring 2027 notifications
January 11, 2027
Spring 2027 term starts
April 16, 2027
Spring 2027 term ends