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Astrobiology Early Career Opportunities

Early Career Spotlight

NASA Astrobiology profiles the career path of up and coming astrobiologists from all around the world.

Highlights & Upcoming Events

A group of silver spacecraft flying over and landing on a sandy brown surface is shown. An inflated parachute with an oval-shaped capsule below it is shown descending at the left. Sandy dunes are shown in the background.

Mission Ideation Factory

Apply June 1-30

AbGradCon 2025

June 10 - 13

Spanish building complex

International Summer School

July 7-11, 2025

Illustration of the TRAPPIST-1 system

Early Career Collaboration Award

April 2025 Selections

Research Funding

NASA Astrobiology Postdoctoral Program (NPP)

Provides opportunities for Ph.D. scientists and engineers of exceptional promise and ability to perform research on projects largely of their own choosing, yet compatible with the research interests of the NASA Astrobiology Program.

Oval shaped world map

Lewis and Clark Fund for Exploration and Field Research

Research grants supporting astrobiology field studies undertaken by graduate students, postdocs, and early-career scientists and scholars who are affiliated with U.S. institutions.

This artist’s concept portrays the seven rocky exoplanets within the TRAPPIST-1 system.

Astrobiology Early Career Collaboration Award

Research-related travel support for US-based undergraduate, graduate students, postdocs, and early career scientists. Applicants are encouraged to use these resources to circulate among two or more laboratories supported by the NASA Astrobiology Program.

Artist's digital concept depicting the completely assembled International Space Station (ISS) passing over Florida.

Future Investigators in NASA Earth and Space Science and Technology

FINESST solicits proposals for graduate student-designed and performed research projects relevant to NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. Awards are research grants for up to three years at up to $50K per year.

Career Path Suggestions

There are many paths to becoming an Astrobiologist. What’s your path?

Starting segment of a flowchart for a career path. Shows informal education resources and degree suggestions.

Astrobiology Career Path Suggestions

NASA Astrobiology

Trainings, Conferences, and Workshops

Spanish building complex

International Summer School in Astrobiology

A week-long program for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows including lectures, a field excursion, round-table discussions, student projects and presentations.

AbGradCon

An astrobiology science conference for graduate students and postdocs, including research presentations, small group discussions, and social activities, which promotes long-term professional relationships.

Astronomers using data from NASA's Kepler mission have discovered the three smallest planets yet detected orbiting a star beyond our sun.

Exobiology Review Panels

Provides opportunities for senior graduate students and postdocs the opportunity to gain first-hand experience learning about the NASA grant review process by serving as Executive Secretaries on Exobiology (ROSES C.5) virtual review panels.

Mission Training

A group of silver spacecraft flying over and landing on a sandy brown surface is shown. An inflated parachute with an oval-shaped capsule below it is shown descending at the left. Sandy dunes are shown in the background.

Mission Ideation Factory

This workshop provides early career post-docs and graduate students the opportunity to develop new concepts for Astrobiology missions.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket sits on a launch pad at dawn. Lights illuminate the rocket from below and the sky is just beginning to lighten on the horizon.

PI Launchpad

Guides participants to turn their science and technology questions into a mission concept, from developing a science case, defining requirements, building a team, securing partnerships, and obtaining support from their home institution.