Fully Funded NPP Fellowship 2026 in USA – NASA Postdoctoral Program

The Fully Funded NPP Fellowship 2026 in the USA is open to early-career researchers, scientists and engineers from all over the world including U.S. citizens and international applicants. This program lets you work on exciting NASA research projects. It takes place at NASA Centers, Headquarters or partner institutes. This well-known postdoctoral program lasts up to three years and covers all costs. International applicants get a J-1 visa. There is no fee to apply and you get to learn from NASA experts. It’s a great chance to grow your career in space science engineering and more.

Key Points:

• Location: NASA Centers HQ or partner institutes in the U.S.
• Who Can Apply: U.S. and international applicants
• Money: Fully funded no application fee
• Time: Up to 3 years of hands-on research
• Areas: Science Engineering Technology and related fields
• Visa: J-1 Visa for international applicants
• Team Up: Work with top NASA researchers

Fully Funded NPP Fellowship 2026 Summary

Also Read – Royal Society University Research Fellowship 2026 – Opening Soon

NPP Fellowship Benefits

Stipend Rates

• Postdoctoral Fellow (PhD 5 years or less): Starts at $70000 per year
• Extra pay for high-cost areas or special fields
• Senior Postdoctoral Fellow (PhD more than 5 years): Pay depends on
  • Where you work
  • Years of experience after PhD
  • Career achievements and titles

Professional Travel

• Get $10000 each year for travel
• Use it for conferences research trips or fieldwork
• Unused money rolls over to next year

 Health Insurance

• All Fellows must have health insurance
• NASA pays about 85% of the cost (for you or your family)
• You buy it through ORAU
• Note: NASA’s help counts as taxable income

 Relocation Support

• Covers moving costs like travel, hotels and shipping
• Applies to both U.S. and international moves
• Follows federal travel rules

Types of NASA NPP Fellowships

Choose your path based on your interests and goals:

• NASA Postdoctoral Research Program
• NASA Postdoctoral Management Program

Eligibility Criteria For NPP 2026

Degree Requirement

• Must hold a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree
• You may apply before earning your Ph.D., but must:
  • Complete all doctoral requirements before starting
  • Provide formal proof of degree conferral

Nationality & Residency

• Open to foreign nationals worldwide
• U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) are also eligible

Fellowship Tracks

• Postdoctoral Fellows:
  • Ph.D. earned within the past 5 years
• Senior Postdoctoral Fellows:
  • Ph.D. earned over 5 years ago
  • Must show notable career achievements and professional recognition

NPP Research Areas

Fellows work on exciting projects in these fields:

• Cosmochemistry & Planetary Science
  Study how planets form their atmospheres and space materials.
• Earth & Environmental Sciences
  Research Earth’s climate systems and environmental changes from space.
• Aeronautics & Advanced Engineering
  Develop new flight and aerospace technologies.
• Biology & Astrobiology
  Explore life in space and how living things adapt beyond Earth.
• Astrophysics & Heliophysics
  Discover cosmic mysteries and how the Sun affects our solar system.
• Technology Development & Applications
  Create new tools and methods for NASA’s future missions.

Required Documents

• CV/Resume
• Research Proposal
• Three Letters of Recommendation
• Doctoral Transcripts – For Postdoctoral Fellows only

How to Apply? NPP Fellowship 2026

Applicants can apply online for the NPP Fellowship due to application process is online. Apply from the below given link.