Overview
Host Country: United States
Organization: NASA and Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory
Description
Host Country: United States
Organization: NASA and Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory
Program Name: Dragonfly Student & Early Career Investigator Program 2026
Degree Level: Master’s and PhD
Program Type: Funded Research Opportunity
Duration: 2 Years
Eligible Nationality: U.S. Citizens
Fields of Study: STEM disciplines
Financial Coverage: Travel and research support
Number of Positions: Approximately 2–4 students annually
Eligibility
To apply for the NASA Dragonfly Student Investigator Program 2026, applicants must:
Be a U.S. citizen
Be enrolled in a master’s or PhD program
Have a minimum GPA of 3.0
Study in a STEM-related field
Demonstrate strong communication and research skills
Secure a faculty mentor for the full two-year program
Not already be affiliated with major space missions or planetary science research programs
The program particularly encourages applications from students without previous space mission experience.
Additional Information
Scholarship Overview
Host Country: United States
Organization: NASA and Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory
Program Name: Dragonfly Student & Early Career Investigator Program 2026
Degree Level: Master’s and PhD
Program Type: Funded Research Opportunity
Duration: 2 Years
Eligible Nationality: U.S. Citizens
Fields of Study: STEM disciplines
Financial Coverage: Travel and research support
Number of Positions: Approximately 2–4 students annually
About The Dragonfly Mission
The Dragonfly mission is a groundbreaking NASA project scheduled for launch in 2028. The mission will send a rotorcraft lander to Titan by 2034 to explore its surface and study organic chemistry and potentially habitable environments.
Unlike traditional landers, Dragonfly will travel across multiple locations on Titan, collecting scientific data and analyzing environmental conditions.
Students selected for the program will gain exposure to real mission operations and collaborate with scientists and engineers involved in planetary exploration.
Degree Level
The Dragonfly Student Investigator Program is available for:
Master’s students
PhD candidates
Applicants must currently be enrolled in eligible graduate programs at U.S. institutions.
Available Subjects
The program is open to students from various STEM disciplines, including:
Physics
Chemistry
Biology
Engineering
Mathematics
Computer Science
Planetary Science
Aerospace Studies
Students from non-planetary science backgrounds are also encouraged to apply.
Benefits
Selected participants will receive:
Funded travel to Dragonfly mission meetings
Financial support for conference presentations
Hands-on research experience with NASA mission teams
Access to scientists, engineers, and mission planners
Mentorship from experienced faculty and researchers
Opportunity to contribute directly to an active space mission
Participants typically dedicate around 30% of their time over two years, especially during summers and academic breaks.
Eligible Nationalities
Open to domestic students only.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for the NASA Dragonfly Student Investigator Program 2026, applicants must:
Be a U.S. citizen
Be enrolled in a master’s or PhD program
Have a minimum GPA of 3.0
Study in a STEM-related field
Demonstrate strong communication and research skills
Secure a faculty mentor for the full two-year program
Not already be affiliated with major space missions or planetary science research programs
The program particularly encourages applications from students without previous space mission experience.
Application Procedure
Applicants should follow these steps:
Review the Dragonfly Student & Early Career Investigator Program requirements.
Identify a faculty mentor willing to support participation for two years.
Prepare academic and research documents.
Submit the online application through the official program portal.
Provide supporting materials such as: Academic transcripts Statement of interest Research experience summary Faculty mentor information
Academic transcripts
Statement of interest
Research experience summary
Faculty mentor information
Wait for the selection and interview process.
Because only a few candidates are selected each year, applicants are encouraged to prepare strong applications highlighting research potential and interdisciplinary interests.
Application Deadline
The official deadline for the NASA Dragonfly Student Investigator Program 2026 is expected to follow the annual selection cycle. Applicants are advised to prepare and apply early due to the extremely limited number of positions available.
Why This Program Matters
The Dragonfly Student Investigator Program is designed to expand participation in planetary science and space exploration by bringing new researchers into NASA’s mission ecosystem.
For graduate students interested in astrobiology, aerospace engineering, planetary environments, or future space missions, this program offers rare early-career exposure to real-world interplanetary research.
Frequently Asked Questions Faqs
Is the Dragonfly Program a traditional scholarship? No, it is a funded research opportunity connected directly to NASA’s Dragonfly mission rather than a standard academic scholarship
Who can apply for the program? The program is open to U.S. citizen master’s and PhD students enrolled in STEM disciplines at eligible institutions.
Does the program provide full funding? The program provides research-related financial support, including funded travel, conference participation, and mission engagement opportunities rather than a full academic tuition scholarship.
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Funding
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Organization
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Degree
Masters, PhD
Subjects
All Subjects, Mathematics, Engineering, Science and Technology
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Country
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