Fellowship Opportunities

As an authorized partner with the Department of War SkillBridge program and the Defense Health Agency Operation Warfighter program, NASA offers selected active-duty service members the opportunity to serve as fellows, working with NASA during their final 180 days of service.

Apply to NASA Service Member Fellowships

Who We Look For

We offer fellowships across a broad range of career fields that support NASA’s mission, including aviation and aeronautics, information technology, cybersecurity, human resources, public affairs and more.

The Experience

As a NASA Service Member Fellow, you are a part of the NASA team and contribute to meaningful, mission-aligned work. Fellows gain practical experience aligned with their academic or career interests while engaging in learning opportunities and a supportive professional environment that fosters growth and career development.

Career Guidance

Participation in the NASA Service Member Fellowship does not guarantee employment with NASA. However, the program provides opportunities to engage with agency programs, organizations, and culture while gaining insight into NASA’s mission and workforce.

Throughout the fellowship, NASA sponsors work with fellows to discuss professional goals and assign roles and responsibilities that align with those objectives, helping fellows build relevant skills and experience.

Upon completion of the fellowship, participants gain the added benefit of referencing their experience as a “NASA Fellow” on their resume, recognizing their contributions to NASA’s mission and professional experience gained.

Types of Fellowships

NASA offers SkillBridge and Operation Warfighter opportunities across a variety of disciplines nationwide. We do not post specific fellowship vacancies in advance. Instead, NASA offices interested in hosting a service member review applications from a candidate pool and identify potential matches based on mission needs. Some of the many NASA roles include (but are not limited to): 

Engineering, Science, and Technology

• Engineering
• Physical Sciences

Business

• Safety & Occupational Health
• Social Sciences
• Human Resources
• Administration and Program Management & Analysis
• Accounting & Budget
• Communication & Public Relations
• Procurement and Contracts
• Math & Statistics 
• Information Technology & Cybersecurity

Where We Work

There are several NASA centers located across the nation engaged in a variety of work and we also offer hybrid or fully-remote opportunities.

Eligibility Requirements

SkillBridge Fellowship:

Participation in the NASA SkillBridge program is governed by the Department of War. All applicants must:

• Be within the final 180 days of active-duty service and able to participate for a minimum of 90 days, up to 180 days.
• Complete their service’s Transition Assistance Program (TAP)
• Obtain command approval
• Acknowledge that participation may be terminated by service at any time due to mission requirements
• Adhere to all service-specific rules and regulations related to SkillBridge participation

Operation Warfighter (OWF) Fellowship:

Participation in the NASA OWF fellowship is governed by the Defense Health Agency (DHA). Applicants must:

• Be actively enrolled in the DHA OWF program
• Be assigned to a Regional OWF Coordinator
• Obtain required medical and command approvals
• Adhere to the DHA Comprehensive Recovery Plan
• Acknowledge that participation may be terminated at any time by a medical provider or service chain of command

How to Apply

As an authorized industry partner with DoW and DHA, NASA independently administers participation in the SkillBridge and OWF programs and directly accepts applications. To begin the process, follow the steps below:

SkillBridge Applicants:

• Step 1: Follow your service’s instructions to ensure you have approval to participate in the SkillBridge program. The DoD SkillBridge Website is a good first stop to learn more about the program, but your base education center should have the most accurate information you need to ensure you’re able to apply and participate in a fellowship with NASA.
• Step 2: Do your research. Learn about the type of work performed at each of our NASA facilities so that you’ll be able to find where you’d best fit at NASA based on your academic and career interests.  
• Step 3: Submit Application. Visit the NASA Service Member Fellowship Application page to submit your information and apply.
• Please note: NASA does not post SkillBridge vacancies in advance. Applications are maintained in a candidate pool that sponsoring centers review to identify matches based on mission needs. Applicants are contacted directly by a sponsoring center if there is interest.

Operation Warfighter Applicants

• Step 1: Connect with your assigned Regional Operation Warfighter Coordinator to confirm eligibility and alignment with program requirements. Find your regional coordinator here: OWF Regional Coordinators.
• Step 2: Submit Application. Visit the NASA Veterans Application page to submit your information and apply.
• Please note: NASA does not post Operation Warfighter fellowship vacancies in advance. Applications are maintained in a candidate pool that sponsoring centers review to identify matches based on mission needs. Applicants are contacted directly by a sponsoring center if there is interest.

Apply for a NASA Service Member Fellowship Program!!

Use of Artificial Intelligence

NASA prohibits the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or AI-assisted tools in drafting fellowship application narratives. Applicants must produce original, independently written responses. All materials are subject to verification, and non-compliance may result in disqualification.

SkillBridge and OWF Fellowship Point of Contacts

If you have questions about NASA’s Service Member Fellowships Program, please contact us by email at agency-dod-skillbridge@mail.nasa.gov.

Veterans Careers at NASA

We remain steadfast in our efforts to hire veterans and military spouses by offering meaningful employment, career development, and workplace flexibilities.  If you’re a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces and were separated under honorable conditions, you may be eligible for special hiring authorities for veterans’ preference, as well as other veteran specific hiring options.

Visit our veterans careers page to learn more!

Join our Veterans Talent Community

To receive quarterly communications about job opportunities, career tips, and guidance from NASA employees on how to position yourself to join our team!

Sign up for our Veterans Talent Community!

Frequently Asked Questions

Not finding what you’re looking for? Find the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions about the SkillBridge program here.