NASA EarthRISE Developers Academy, run by the EarthRISE Office at NASA Langley Research Center, places students and early-career professionals on short applied-research projects that use NASA Earth-observation data for partner organizations.
Teams of four to five work onsite at a NASA center or virtually, producing a literature review, GIS and remote-sensing analysis, a presentation and a technical report. Terms run in spring, summer and fall; the Spring 2027 call has closed and Summer 2027 applications open 18 January 2027.
Benefits & funding
- Hourly pay as a part-time temporary contract employee of Analytical Mechanics Associates, Inc. (AMA); rates depend on education level, applicant classification and locality and are not published (ask NASA-DL-ERDA@mail.nasa.gov).
- Pay includes a locality adjustment; onsite participants cover their own housing, living costs and transport.
- Terms last 10–14 weeks at 25–29 hours a week, Monday to Thursday.
Eligibility
- U.S. citizen (by birth or naturalization) or Legal Permanent Resident, for in-person and virtual placements alike.
- Aged 18 or over by the start of the term.
- Minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale, cumulative or most recent, from the current or latest institution.
- Experience and skills in Earth or environmental science, GIS, remote sensing and/or computer science.
- One of: a student at a U.S.-accredited college or university; a graduate of one within the past two years; or an early/transitioning career professional (veterans included).
- Available 25–29 hours a week for the whole term, working from within the 50 states or Washington, D.C.; in-person participants need their own transport.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Eligible nationalities
USA
Residents of USA can also apply.
Age requirement
≥ 18 yrs
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Application process
- 1Apply through the online portal linked from the Application Guide: profile, eligibility questions, application form and short essays.
- 2Name at least two recommenders, ideally one academic and one professional; their forms are due two weeks after the window closes.
- 3Submit by 11:59 pm Eastern on the closing day; late applications are not considered, and AI-drafted responses lead to disqualification.
- 4Shortlisted applicants interview virtually on Microsoft Teams; decisions arrive by email.
Program timeline
October 9, 2026
Spring 2027 deadline (closed)
January 11 – April 16, 2027
Spring 2027 term
January 18, 2027
Summer 2027 applications open
February 26, 2027
Summer 2027 deadline; recommendations due March 12
June 7 – August 13, 2027
Summer 2027 term