Chantilly, Va. –
The National Reconnaissance Office named its summer internship program in honor of former NRO Director Dr. Chris Scolese, recognizing his commitment to innovation and career path development. The program was first established by the Office of Human Resources in 2020 and has run for seven summers.
The announcement comes as the NRO opens the application period for its Summer 2027 internship program, offering undergraduate and graduate students an opportunity to gain meaningful professional experience while contributing directly to the NRO mission.
What began with just 10 interns in 2020 has grown into a highly competitive program. In 2026, the NRO selected a cohort of about 50 interns from among thousands of applicants. The NRO expects to host a similar number of interns again in summer 2027.
Dr. Scolese, who served as NRO director from August 2019 until July 2026, made workforce career development a cornerstone of his tenure. During that period, the NRO/OHR expanded recruitment efforts and emphasized developing the next generation of talent needed to address some of the nation's most complex national security challenges. He regularly championed the internship program as an important pipeline for attracting and developing future talent.
"The Dr. Chris Scolese Internship Program represents a forward-thinking investment in talent," said Liz Gruchacz, director of the NRO Office of Human Resources. "These aren't just summer jobs—they're opportunities for the next generation to work on some of the most challenging problems in national security and bring a fresh perspective."
The program provides undergraduate and graduate students with hands-on experience in positions related to their fields of study. Interns work alongside NRO professionals on meaningful projects that directly contribute to the agency's mission of developing, acquiring, launching, and operating space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities.
"The program's success isn't just about the numbers—it's about recruiting the best students in the country who are passionate about the mission and giving them meaningful work from day one," Gruchacz said. "Our interns contribute to real projects alongside world-class professionals, and they leave with both the skills and experience necessary to pursue their chosen career paths after graduation."
With the program now bearing the name of the director who established it, the NRO is preparing to welcome its next class of students and continue building the workforce needed to support its mission.
Applications for Summer 2027 internships are being accepted through October 2, 2026. Interested students are encouraged to apply early and ensure all required application materials are submitted before the deadline.
Additional information regarding eligibility requirements, available opportunities, and application instructions is
available online.Application Period: August 17–October 2, 2026
Program: Dr. Chris Scolese Internship Program
Apply: Current Open NRO Positions —
NRO Summer Internships