First Nations STEM students in Australia will continue to have the opportunity to intern at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in California, thanks to a $500,000 funding boost from the federal government.

After being established in 2019, the National Indigenous Space Academy (NISA), will now run until 2027, giving aspiring scientists hands-on experience in one of the world’s leading space research facilities.

Led by Monash University, NISA selects five Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander university students annually for a 10-week internship at JPL, fostering STEM talent in space technology.

Applications for the 2025 intake are now open.

Australian Space Agency Head, Enrico Palermo emphasised how the program empowers First Nations’ STEM talent by providing them with unparalleled opportunities to learn from global experts.

“It gives First Nations’ STEM talent the opportunity to learn from some of the world’s best, and to bring that knowledge back to the Australian space and technology sectors,” Mr Palermo said.

Before heading to NASA, participants complete a ‘Space Boot Camp’ at Monash University, where they study topics like aerodynamics, robotics, astrophysics, planetary science, engineering, and computer sciences.

NISA has already supported 14 students in pursuing their dreams of working in space research.

NASA’s JPL, located near Pasadena, California, serves as a global hub for cutting-edge space exploration. Employing over 6,000 people and operating with an annual budget of more than USD $2.4 billion, the laboratory has driven innovation since its establishment in 1958.

For information on prerequisites and to apply, visit monash.edu/it/nisa.

It’s never been a better time to Find Your Place in South Australia’s defence and space industries. Explore FindYourPlaceSA.com to discover career opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in these thriving sectors.

*Image courtesy of the Australian Space Agency.