Part 1 Required Application Materials:
Application form must be filled out BEFORE any other materials can be submitted. After you have submitted the form, a link to your application portal will be sent to your email which you can use to access and edit until the deadline.
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Please complete the application form first. All other application materials can only be submitted after completing this form, but may be submitted anytime before the deadline.
Applicants must respond to a series of questions that will compose your "Statement of Interest." You will complete this section after submitting an application form. Find the Statement of Interest prompts below.
1. Discuss your interest in science/engineering and the qualities you possess that will make you a good scientist. What have you done, both in and out of the classroom, that demonstrates your motivation and interest in science? Give specific, recent examples. Be sure to include a mention of participation in undergraduate achievement programs or student organizations. Max: 250 words
2. Describe how this internship program will help you reach your current educational and career aspirations. Max: 250 words.
3. Tell us about a time you worked on a team to complete a project or solve a problem. What role did you play, how did you collaborate with others, and what was the outcome? If you are a military veteran, please include examples from your time in the military. Max: 250 words.
4. (Optional) We acknowledge that every student has had unique life experiences that may not be captured in the above questions. The selection committee is interested in learning more about extenuating circumstances you have encountered throughout your journey. If you have nothing to add here, please write 'N/A'. Max: 250 words.
PDF less than 2MB to be uploaded after submitting the application form.
Helpful resources and examples on how to create/update your Resume/CV may be found by visiting
UCSB Career Services: https://career.ucsb.edu/get-hired/resumes
Cal Poly Career Services: https://careerservices.calpoly.edu/explore-services/resource-toolkit/resumes-letters
Submit unofficial transcript(s) for all 2 year and 4 year colleges/universities attended. Make sure all content is legible. We do not need your high school transcript.
Please submit as a PDF less than 2MB to be uploaded after submitting the application form.
One recommendation (you may have up to two submitted, but only one is required): You enter the name(s) and email(s) of your 1 or 2 recommenders in the application form. When you submit your application, emails will be automatically sent to your recommender(s), so please be sure to provide accurate contact information on the application form.
Part 2 Interview & Selection Process
Approximately 1-2 weeks after the submission deadline, students selected for interviews will be notified by email and asked to sign-up for an interview time.
All communication will be via email and applicants should be sure their email address is correct and checked frequently. Though only some students will be selected for interviews, all applicants will be notified of the status of their application when the interview/selection process is complete.
Interviews will be conducted during the week of March 2-6, 2026.
Part 3 Post-Selection Process
To be completed after you have been selected for the program. Selected scholars will be notified via email about all requirements shortly after accepting a position in the program. Each scholar will receive their own personal link from the Program Coordinator to their own submission portal where they will submit the following:
- Signed Intern Responsibility Contract
- Completed Waivers and Liability Releases for summer internship
- Photo headshot
The nature of work performed at Vandenberg SFB (VSFB) requires employees to be eligible to obtain and maintain a security clearance at the level determined to be suitable for their level of participation in the program. The VSFB hiring manager will initiate and coordinate the process required for interns to obtain the appropriate clearance. This includes conducting pre-screening procedures for all new interns prior to the start of their internship. All interns are required to obtain and maintain the clearance level required by VSFB. An intern’s failure to obtain or maintain the needed security clearance will result in dismissal from the program.
Space Vandenberg Internship Program Dates: June 22 - August 14, 2026
Application Deadline: February 27, 2026 at 11:59pm
Please ensure that you click on the correct portal that corresponds with your university.
Note: ALL correspondence with applicants will be via email, including award decisions.
For questions about this application process, please contact the Space Vandenberg Internship Coordinator, Shelby Le (ug@csep.ucsb.edu).