NASA Upgrades Online Portal for Student Space Programs
Published Date: 5/18/2026
Notice
Summary
NASA is updating its STEM Gateway, a one-stop online hub where students, teachers, and researchers apply for cool NASA programs like internships and challenges. These changes will make signing up easier and improve how NASA reviews applications. If you want to share your thoughts, you’ve got until June 17, 2026, to speak up—no cost to join, just your time!
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
You must provide a NASA STEM profile
If you want to apply to NASA STEM internships, fellowships, challenges, or educator programs, you must create a NASA STEM Gateway profile and provide profile information such as name, contact information, citizenship, education or affiliate organization, and application materials. NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) staff and NASA mentors will use that information to review applications and to report participant data for federally mandated reporting and Agency performance goals.
Time burden and response estimates
NASA estimates 50 annual activities with 6,300 respondents per activity, for a total of 315,000 annual responses; the average time per response is 20 minutes, producing an estimated 105,000 total annual burden hours. The information collection is OMB No. 2700-0180 and is a renewal of a previously approved collection.
Parental consent for 14–17 year-olds
Parents or caregivers may voluntarily provide consent for eligible student applicants who are at least 14 years of age but under the age of 18 to apply through the NASA STEM Gateway. This consent step applies to applications for internships, fellowships, and other NASA STEM engagement activities for those minor applicants.
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