Who can apply?
- The program recruits college students, recent graduates and early-career professionals interested in science and public-land management. Skill requirements range from entry to advanced and are set by the individual project.
- Applicants must be available for the full number of weeks and exact dates in the listing. The central pages do not publish one class-year, degree, age or citizenship rule that can safely replace each position's eligibility section.
- Participants are AmeriCorps members. Some positions carry Public Lands Corps or resource-assistant direct-hire eligibility, but that benefit is not attached to every role and must be confirmed in the listing.
There is no single season-wide deadline to rely on. A position closes when it reaches 60 applications, so waiting for a later date can remove the role even while other Summer 2027 listings remain open.
Dates, pay & program timing
The Winter 2026-27 cycle is closed. Summer 2027 positions are scheduled to open in mid-December 2026 and begin between May and September 2027; the program has not published one final deadline. Each position closes after 60 applications, so a listing can disappear before a broader seasonal window ends. The NPS youth-program page currently summarizes Scientists in Parks stipends at $675-$775 a week, while the program benefits page says weekly pay, housing and hiring benefits are position-specific.
View the deadline calendarThese 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 Park Service
- Before mid-December, prepare the common materials and identify disciplines, locations and term lengths you can support. The program permits up to five applications per season.
- Read every listing's eligibility, duties, dates, housing and physical or technical requirements. Tailor the five short answers to the project even though the prompts are shared across applications.
- Apply as soon as a well-matched position opens because it closes at 60 applications. Save the listing and confirmation so you retain the exact terms if the public page closes.
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
Translate coursework into field-ready evidence. A lab protocol, GIS map, species survey, data-cleaning project, museum collection or public science activity can demonstrate accuracy and persistence; explain what you did and what record or result you produced.
Evaluate logistics with the same care as subject matter. Check whether housing is on site or replaced by a stipend, how relocation works, whether a vehicle or field conditions are involved and whether the weeks overlap with school. Those terms vary by project and can decide whether an otherwise exciting role is viable.
Your preparation, on this device
Make it a plan.
Checking an item saves this program. These are planning prompts, not a substitute for the employer's full requirements.
Add a stage & next actionNational Park Service: questions before applying
When do Summer 2027 Scientists in Parks applications open?
The official application page says mid-December 2026; exact position dates and any further schedule are still subject to change.
Are Scientists in Parks positions paid?
Yes. NPS publishes a current general range of $675-$775 a week, but applicants should use the individual listing for exact weekly pay, housing and other benefits.
Do I have to be a current student?
The program describes participants as college students, recent graduates and early-career professionals. Each listing controls its own education and experience requirements.
Official sources & update notes
We reviewed these publisher pages on . They establish the program facts above; our preparation suggestions are independent editorial guidance.
- Summer 2027 opening timing, start season, 60-application cap and required application materials
- Paid status, AmeriCorps benefits, relocation, housing and position-specific hiring authorities
- National Park Service overview, duration, disciplines, application seasons and current weekly stipend range
We do not infer deadlines, remote eligibility, or guaranteed offers from older recruiting cycles. Read our editorial process.