National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration William M. Lapenta Student Internship Program: Eligibility & How to Apply

Who can apply?

• The current 2027 page accepts undergraduates with sophomore or junior status and enrolled graduate students. Students must remain enrolled during the internship; someone graduating before it begins can lose eligibility for the program's direct-hire route.
• Applicants must be US citizens and willing to undergo a security background check. The current page says citizenship must be held by the application deadline.
• Students from STEM disciplines and other fields relevant to NOAA's mission may be considered. The program FAQ specifically notes areas such as engineering, GIS, computer science, social science, economics, communications, government and policy when the applicant can explain the NOAA connection.

Dates, pay & program timing

Applications for 2027 are due December 24, 2026; NOAA does not publish a closing time. The program is a full-time ten-week internship generally running from late May to early August, but exact 2027 project dates and the project list control. The current linked program manual lists a $6,000 stipend, furnished housing and travel support, but the 2027 landing page does not separately restate those dollar terms; confirm them for the offered project.

These details reflect the sources at the review date. An overview is not a live job offer. Check the official page for today's application status and the selected opening's written terms.

How to apply to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

1. Review the 2027 NOAA page, confirm citizenship and enrollment, and examine the project list when posted. Applicants may rank up to seven projects, so compare the actual methods and locations rather than selecting only by office name.
2. Prepare a personal statement, resume or CV and unofficial transcript before opening the SmartSheet form, which must be completed and submitted in one session. Ask two recommenders; at least one must be a professor or academic adviser.
3. Submit the application by December 24 even if a recommendation is still pending, then verify that both letters arrive through NOAA's separate form. Keep the same unique email address across every form.

You leave FirstInternships to apply. We do not accept applications, offer referrals, or represent the employer.

Our editorial advice · not employer requirements

How to prepare a stronger application

NOAA says the personal statement is 35% of review. Build it around your educational path, career goals, connection to NOAA's mission, expected learning and the strengths you bring. A precise link to weather, climate, oceans, fisheries or public decision support matters more than claiming a perfectly fixed career plan.

Describe technical skills accurately. The FAQ says coding depends on project and lack of programming is not automatically disqualifying. Name the tools you have actually used, the context and your level, then rank projects where that foundation and your capacity to learn make sense.

Official sources & update notes

We reviewed these publisher pages on October 11, 2026. They establish the program facts above; our preparation suggestions are independent editorial guidance.

• 2027 deadline, eligibility reminder, SmartSheet route, materials, recommendations and project-ranking process
• Personal-statement guidance, mission-fit disciplines and selection timeline
• Current linked program manual with benefits and continued-enrollment details

We do not infer deadlines, remote eligibility, or guaranteed offers from older recruiting cycles. Read our editorial process.