Space Studies Board

THE APPLICATION PERIOD FOR THE SUMMER 2008 (UNDERGRADUATES ONLY) INTERNSHIP IS CLOSED. The positions have been filled.

WE ARE CURRENTLY ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR INTERNSHIPS FOR AUTUMN 2008 (UNDERGRADUATES AND GRADUATE STUDENTS). The deadline for applications to the autumn program is June 16, 2008.

A resumé;
A brief statement (not to exceed one printed page) indicating academic interests and experience, and some indication of how the internship relates to the applicants long-term career plans;
Letters of references from three college/university faculty members familiar with the candidate’s background and abilities; and
An official copy of academic transcript to be sent from the college/university registrar.

Items 1 and 2 may be sent by email to David H. Smith.
Items 3 and 4 MUST be sent by mail to the contact address listed below.

The deadline for applications for the autumn 2008 program is June 16, 2008. Successful candidates will be contacted no later than July 16, 2008. The autumn program is open to both graduate students and undergraduates

The deadline for applications for the summer 2009 program is February 2, 2009. Successful candidates will be contacted no later than March 16, 2009. The summer program is limited to individuals who do not have an undergraduate degree as of February 2, 2009. Candidates not selected will be automatically considered for the autumn program unless they indicate otherwise.

Graduate students and postdoctoral fellows interested in working for the Space Studies Board should investigate the possibilities opened up by the National Academies’ Christine Mirzayan Science and Technology Graduate Fellowship Program. This program is offered three times per year.
Individuals interested in an intern opportunity with the Space Studies Board at times other than during the summer and autumn months should submit items 1 through 4 under “How to Apply.” Applicants should indicate their availability. Please note that preference will be given to candidates available for a minimum of 8 weeks.
Individuals interested in volunteering their services to the Space Studies Board at any time during the year should contact Dr. David H. Smith.

The length of time for the summer and autumn internship, from beginning to end, is a minimum of 10 weeks. The start date is mutually agreed upon by the intern and the Board. The average start dates for the summer program have been mid-June to early-July and the end dates, late-August to mid-September.

The Space Studies Board (SSB) is the principal advisory group providing independent scientific and programmatic advice to NASA and other government agencies on all aspects of civil space research and associated ground-based activities.

Its origins date back to the period following the launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957, when the pace and scope of U.S. space activity dramatically increased. Congress created the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to implement the nation's ambitious space agenda, and the National Academy of Sciences created the SSB to provide advice relating to the definition of that agenda. The original charter of the SSB was established in June 1958, three months before final legislation creating NASA was enacted.

The Space Science Board and its successor, the Space Studies Board, have provided expert advice to NASA on a continuous basis from NASA's inception until the present.

No. It is a part of the National Research Council (NRC), the operating arm of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) and the National Academy of Engineering (NAE). The NRC is administered by both academies and by the Institute of Medicine (IOM).

The NAS was created in 1863 by a congressional charter approved by President Abraham Lincoln. Its function is to advise the government on scientific and technological matters. Under the terms of this charter, the NAS established the NRC in 1916, the NAE in 1964, and the IOM in 1970.

These four entities, which collectively are called the National Academies, are private, nongovernmental, organizations, and do not receive direct federal appropriations for their work. Studies undertaken by the SSB are funded out of appropriations made available to federal agencies such as NASA, NOAA, and NSF.

It is too early to say at this time. The projects undertaken by the SSB standing committees and ad hoc task groups are in constant flux, with studies being completed and new studies beginning on a regular basis. Please visit the SSB Projects and Committees sites for more information on our current activities.

Interns typically undertake one or more short-term research projects designed to assist with or enhance ongoing study projects. Every effort is made to expose the interns to range of different projects and to involve them in all aspects of the study process from project initiation, through the committee process, and the final publication of committee reports.

The SSB internship program is aimed at undergraduate and graduate students interested in the research and policy aspects of space science and applications. The minimum qualifications include: must be a registered student at a U.S. university or college; have completed his/her junior year; have long-term career goals in space-science research, applications, or policy; possess good written and verbal communications skills and a good knowledge of in his/her particular area of study; be capable of responding to general guidance and working independently; and be familiar with the internet, world-wide web and basic research techniques. Familiarity with Microsoft Word and HTML is highly desirable but not essential.

Space Studies Board interns will work in the Washington, DC offices of the NRC located at the Keck Center, 500 5th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001. For directions to National Academies’ locations, please visit the Contact Information and Directions site.

No. While the projects assigned to the interns may be tailored to their particular interests and abilities, the main purpose of the internship is to expose them to a range of current space-policy issues and, thus, broaden their experience. A prospective applicant should not apply for the program if they are only willing to work in their field.

F-1 students may participate using curricular practical training (CPT) or optional practical training (OPT). They must provide an I-20 form, showing approval by the Designated School Official (DSO) for CPT or OPT, and permission to come to Washington, DC, for the time period required to participate in this program, and that you are allowed to receive the stipend. A copy of your Employment Authorization Card (EAD) is required if you are using OPT.

J-1 students must provide a DS-2019 from showing authorization for academic training by the university's J-1 Responsible Officer (RO).

The opportunities offered by the Space Studies Board are internships and not employment by the National Academies. For that reason, participants may not hold B-1, or H-1B, TN, O-1, L-1 or other similar employment-related visas. Applicants with valid F-1, J-1, asylee, refugee, adjustment applicant or U.S. lawful permanent resident status are eligible to apply. Certain other categories are considered individually.

No, preference will be given to applicants who remain for a minimum of 10 weeks. Extension beyond 10 weeks may be possible, subject to the availability of funds.

The summer program was initiated in 1992 and has been offered every year since that time and we hope it will continue every summer. Autumn internships have been available on an ad hoc basis since 2005. Continuance of the program is determined by budgetary and other considerations.

The Space Studies Board does not provide housing for interns. There are many universities throughout the District of Columbia, Virginia, and Maryland that offer summer housing suitable for a student's budget. Of course, there are also youth hostel, long-term residence apartments, and subleasing possibilities, as well. Good sources of housing information are the Georgetown University (on- and off-campus housing) and the George Washington University (off-campus housing) web sites. Both universities are close to the SSB offices. You should also search the on-line classifieds at the Washington Post.

The Washington Intern Student Housing (WISH) is a unique semester housing program. Located throughout historic Capitol Hill neighborhoods with wide, tree-lined streets, WISH housing is a thoughtful choice for students who desire a location close to the nation's Capitol, Congressional offices, Library of Congress, the Supreme Court, and metro stations. Visit the WISH site at this location: www.internsdc.com . WISH has a no-fee application that can be faxed or e-mailed to its office.