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Introduction

The Oregon NASA Space Grant Consortium (OSGC) is pleased to introduce the Oregon Internship Opportunity Network (OrION). OrION is a database for Oregon-based student internship opportunities submitted by OSGC affiliate members and hosted on location at the affiliate institution. OrION serves as a connection to internship opportunities for students attending OSGC member institutions. Internships are designed to provide students access to experiential learning opportunities, working directly with a faculty mentor on an academic research or educational project in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) or STEM education that goes beyond what is taught in the classroom.

As a participant of the NASA National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program (Space Grant) in NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM), OSGC is dedicated to building, sustaining, and deploying a skilled, high-performing, and diverse workforce to meet the current and emerging needs of NASA and the nation. A critical point in the student education pathway is access to faculty who are engaged with research and offer education efforts that align with NASA’s workforce needs and OSTEM initiatives.

Traditionally, faculty have engaged students with hands-on research experiences by serving as a Principal Investigator of a NASA research award, providing limited-scope research projects to be conducted by undergraduate or graduate students. Alternatively, students seek NASA center internships to gain valuable experience contributing to a NASA project and working directly with a NASA mentor. However, more recently, due to a number of factors beyond our control including the pandemic, fewer NASA center internships have been awarded to Oregon students.

To expand the opportunities for both faculty and students, OSGC is offering in-state student internships at affiliate member institutions, where students will work with a mentor on research projects that are not required to be part of a NASA research award. This is also an opportunity to broaden the range of disciplines associated with NASA research and has the potential to sustain and increase the involvement of OSGC-affiliated faculty who recruit and educate STEM undergraduates. Such efforts help build student academic work resumes and develop internship-ready OSGC students for a NASA education pathway.

Internship Award Amount and Duration

Oregon Space Grant Consortium’s ability to make awards is contingent upon the availability of awarded funds from NASA OSTEM. Student awards are for $7,300 based on a standard NASA summer undergraduate ten week, full-time award. All other awards are prorated based on FTE and internship term. Funding is awarded directly to the student. Students receive 2/3 of the total amount at the beginning of the internship, and the remainder when internship and OSGC requirements and deliverables are met. 

Student Hour Requirements: 10 Week Internship Half-time: 200 hours

                                                10 Week Internship Full-time: 400 hours

                                                16 Week Internship Half-time: 320 hours

                                                16 Week Internship Full-time: 640 hours

Student Eligibility

  • All students participating in an internship must be U.S. citizens.
  • Students must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours per term in an accredited 2 year college or a minimum of 12 credit hours per term in a 4 year university. Students who are enrolled less than the minimum requirement may provide supplemental information in support of their academic pursuits.
  • Students must maintain good academic standing.
  • Participation of female, students from underserved and underrepresented communities in STEM and STEM education, and persons with disabilities is strongly encouraged. 

Student Deliverables if Awarded

  • Student Profile Form
  • Final Report
  • Poster
  • Presentation at an OSGC symposium (May or November following internship)