Climate Change Research Initiative (NASA GISS)

Summer program · NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies

A small number of slots in NASA GISS's year-round Climate Change Research Initiative (CCRI) go to high school students who join research teams with undergraduates, graduate students, and NASA scientists during the summer session. Interns work on real climate research at GISS in New York City or at Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, with some projects allowing remote participation. Eligibility for GISS internships is generally limited to undergraduate and graduate students, with a few openings for high schoolers during CCRI's summer component. Applicants must be U.S. citizens with at least a 3.0 GPA who generally live within about 50 miles of one of the two sites, applying through the NASA STEM Gateway.

Who can apply

GradesGrades 9–12

Min GPA3

ScopeRegional

StatesNY, NJ, CT, MD, DC, VA

FieldsClimate Science · Earth Science

EligibilityMust be a U.S. citizen; generally must live within ~50 miles of NYC or Greenbelt, MD.

SelectivityA few of the program's roughly 20 total summer openings go to high schoolers

Logistics

Cost to youNot published

Financial aidNot listed

StipendNot listed

FormatHybrid

LengthYear-round research program; summer on-site component

WhereNASA GISS, New York, NY, or NASA Goddard, Greenbelt, MD

Applying

DueNot yet posted (2026 cycle closed Feb 27)

You submitU.S. citizenship, minimum 3.0 GPA; apply via NASA STEM Gateway.

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