NASA Postdoctoral Program

The NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) offers unique research opportunities to highly talented U.S. and non-U.S. scientists to engage in ongoing NASA research projects at NASA Centers, NASA Headquarters, or NASA-affiliated research institutes. These fellowships are designed to advance NASA’s missions in space science, Earth science, aeronautics, space operations, exploration systems, and astrobiology.

🛰️ About NASA Postdoctoral Program

If you're an early-career or senior scientist, the NASA Postdoctoral Program provides an exceptional opportunity to contribute to NASA's mission while gaining access to the world's most diverse technology and expertise. This program prepares future leaders for NASA and the academic community.

Opportunity Details

• Date Published: July 07, 2025
• Application Deadline: November 01, 2025
• Category: Fellowship
• Sponsor Organization: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

🎁 Benefits of NASA Postdoctoral Program

• Postdoctoral Fellow:

  • Stipend rates start at $70,000 per year.
  • Supplements are provided for high-cost living areas and certain academic specialties.

• Senior Postdoctoral Fellow:

  • Stipend amount is based on the location of the appointment, experience, and career achievements.

• Health Insurance:

  • NASA covers approximately 85% of the premium for individual or family coverage purchased through ORAU. The Fellow pays the remainder. (Note: The NASA contribution is considered taxable income.)

• Travel Support:

  • Fellows receive $10,000 per appointment year to support travel to conferences, meetings, field sites, observatories, or required training. Unused funds carry over to the following year.

• Relocation Expenses:

  • Reimbursement for transportation, shipment of household goods, temporary lodging, and per diem.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the NASA Postdoctoral Program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. Educational Requirements:

   • Completion of a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree before beginning the fellowship.

2. Citizenship/Residency:

   • U.S. Citizenship
   • U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) status
   • Foreign nationals eligible for an Exchange Visitor J-1 Visa status
     • Foreign nationals must obtain the J-1 Visa before starting the appointment.
   • Applicants for LPR, asylee, or refugee status in the U.S. with valid documentation.

3. Residency Requirement:

   • Relocation to the NASA Center, program institute, or advisor's university location is required.

4. Previous Appointments:

   • Applicants must not have held an NPP appointment within the last five years.

5. Security Clearance:

   • Some NASA Centers may require a security or visitation clearance.

6. Program Requirements:

   • Completion of all required forms and documentation before starting the appointment.

📋 Program Requirements

• Fellows must:

  • Fulfill all eligibility requirements.
  • Provide proof of health insurance.
  • Maintain safety, security, and IT training requirements at the host Center.
  • Commit to full-time participation at an approved NASA site.
  • Adhere to the host institution's publication review policies.
  • Report all inventions made during the appointment.

• Fellows are stipend recipients, not employees of NASA, ORAU, or the host institution.

📝 Application Process

Required Documents:

1. Three Letters of Recommendation
2. Research Proposal
3. Official Doctoral Degree Transcripts (for Postdoctoral Fellows only)

Important Notes:

• Applicants may submit only one application for one research opportunity per application cycle.
• For tips on applying, visit the application tips page.

Application Portal:

• Apply via Zintellect.

📅 Application Deadline

• November 01, 2025

For more details, visit the NASA Postdoctoral Program website.

• A Postdoctoral Fellow has held the doctoral degree for less than five years at the time of application. Stipend rates for Postdoctoral Fellows start at $70,000 per year. Supplements are provided for high cost of living areas and certain academic specialties.
• A Senior Postdoctoral Fellow has held the doctoral degree for five or more years at the time of application. The stipend amount for a Senior Postdoctoral Fellow is based on the location of the appointment, experience (number of years beyond the doctoral degree), and career achievement (academic rank and professional title).
• All NASA Postdoctoral Program Fellows are required to have health insurance. If you do not already have a health insurance policy, NASA will pay approximately 85% of the premium for an individual or family coverage policy purchased through ORAU, and the Fellow will pay the remainder. The amount of insurance contributed by NASA is considered taxable income by the IRS.
• Fellows receive $10,000 per appointment year to support travel to conferences, meetings, and other activities (i.e., travel to field sites or observatories to collect data or for required training) that directly support their research projects. The funds that are not used during a 12-month appointment period will carry over to the following appointment period.
• Expenses associated with relocation, including transportation, the shipment of household goods within the United States or unaccompanied baggage from a foreign country, temporary lodging, and per diem may be reimbursed