Remember lying on the terrace as a kid, staring at the endless night sky, counting stars, and dreaming of becoming an astronaut? Those quiet moments of wonder, imagining rocket launches and moon landings, were more than just dreams but they were the first spark of curiosity about the universe. Now, ISRO is turning those childhood dreams into something real.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has launched two thrilling new initiatives under its outreach program which is the Student Internships Scheme and the Student Project Trainees Scheme, designed to pull young minds closer to the magic of space research. These programs, guided by ISRO’s North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC), aren’t just about learning science; they’re about living it. Imagine working on real projects under the guidance of India's brightest scientists and engineers, this is your shot to go from sky-watcher to space researcher.

Your Mission Brief: What These Programs Offer

1. Student Internships Scheme:

Open to Indian students currently pursuing or recently completing UG, PG, or PhD programs. If you've finished your degree within the last six months and want to boost your academic profile, congrats, you’re eligible! It requires a minimum of 60% marks or a CGPA of 6.32 on a 10-point scale for Internships that last up to 45 days!

2. Student Project Trainees Scheme:

• For those who want to work on academic projects at NESAC.
• BE/BTech (after the 6th semester) and BSc final year students can apply for projects lasting at least 45 days.
• ME/MTech and MSc students (after the 1st semester) get 120 days of hands-on training
• PhD scholars can work for a minimum of 30 days after completing coursework.

Like the internship, this also demands 60% marks or a 6.32 CGPA. Both programs require a bona fide certificate from your institution, confirming that the internship or project is part of your course curriculum. While there’s no stipend or accommodation provided, you’ll have access to ISRO’s canteens, sharing a meal where rockets are designed sounds pretty cool, doesn’t it?

Countdown to Your Space Journey: How to Apply

Ready to suit up for this cosmic adventure? Here’s the timeline:

• May - June projects: Apply between Feb 1 – Mar 31, 2025
• July - August projects: Apply from Apr 1 – May 31, 2025 
• December projects: Applications open Sep 1 – Oct 15, 2025
• January projects: Submit your forms by Oct 15 – Nov 15, 2025

Once selected, your work will be closely reviewed by NESAC’s division heads. Completing your project or internship successfully earns you a certificate of achievement, making it a solid launchpad for your future.

Just one important rule: any work you wish to publish from your internship or project requires NESAC’s approval. It’s about contributing responsibly to the scientific community

ISRO’s New Internship Launches Your Dreams Into Orbit

As kids, we believed the sky was the limit, but ISRO teaches us that the sky is just the beginning. These new student programs are more than internships; they’re invitations to step into a world where science meets imagination. They’re about standing shoulder to shoulder with scientists, pushing the boundaries of what we know about space.

So, if you’ve ever stared up at the stars and whispered, “One day…,” this might just be your day.  The Universe it waiting at your doorstep, in the form of an exciting opportunity, taking you from stargazing to spacelabs!