Eligibility

You must have completed the requirements for a Ph.D. or an equivalent doctorate degree before beginning the fellowship.

Eligibility for the July 2021 NPP application cycle will be limited to:
1. U.S. Citizens;
2. U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents;
3. Foreign nationals who are in the U.S. at the time of application and on a valid J1 visa; and,
4. Foreign nationals, asylees or refugees in the U.S. at the time of application with a valid EAD card and pending I-485 or I-589 forms.
You must meet one of these citizenship categories above to be eligible to apply for the July 2021 cycle. These temporary eligibility limitations for the July 2021 application cycle have been put in place due to inaccessible U.S. consulates and travel restrictions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since each NPP Fellowship is tied to a specific research opportunity located at a NASA Center or program institute, you must relocate to the Center or program institute that supports the opportunity to which you were accepted. In the case of virtual Centers such as the NASA Astrobiology Institute, you must relocate to the university location of your advisor as listed on the research opportunity. Establishing and maintaining residency at the Center or at the location of the advisor is required to begin the appointment and to remain in the program.

You must not have held an NPP appointment for five years prior to applying. NPP Fellows are eligible for another award five years after the end of the previous appointment.
Some NASA Centers may require a security or visitation clearance before you start your appointment. The NPP Center Representative will notify you in advance if a clearance is required.

You cannot start your NPP appointment until all appointment requirements are met. This includes completing and returning all required forms and documentation to USRA. USRA will not issue an advance stipend check, start stipend payments, or approve relocation travel until all requirements are met.