The GISCI/USGS Cooperative Summer Fellowship Program was established in 2017 to complement the USGS longstanding NAGT/USGS field training program. The partnership with the GIS Certification Institute targets students with training in GIS programs and applications. See below for more information about the programs and information on how USGS scientists can sponsor interns.

To qualify for this early consideration, a student must:

  • Register on the GISCI site and start a Portfolio Application.
  • Be a recent graduate of a college or university, or
  • Be enrolled at a college or university at least a half-time and have a planned graduation date by Summer 2026.
  • Be a US Citizen.
  • Be interested in the possibility of working for the USGS in an Intern capacity in 2026, somewhere in the US.
  • Have a GISCI profile that is complete and up to date and that you have started work on your Portfolio Application (completion and submission is not required)
  • Have a LinkedIn profile that is complete and up to date (a suggestion - not required)
  • Notify GISCI of your desire for consideration from USGS to apply for a 2026 Summer Intern position when the program is launched.

Please send an email to info@gisci.org and add to the Subject Line - "Your Name - USGS GIS Summer Intern Program 2026."

The deadline for consideration for the 2026 Summer Intern Program is September 30, 2025. All registrations and notifications made after that date will be eligible for the 2027 Summer Program. Students who meet the criteria will have their names forwarded to the USGS in October for consideration for GIS Internship positions that will be created and filled in the following calendar year. USGS will contact the candidates they wish to consider for the internships.

GISCI takes no part in the evaluation process, other than to provide a platform for differentiation through the GISP application process, which can be started at any time in an individual's career. All rules and requirements pertaining to USGS employment apply to this program.

Please direct GISP Portfolio Application questions to GISCI, and all questions regarding the Intern positions should go to USGS.

For more information on this program, and more details of the possibilities, visit the USGS information page, here:  https://www.usgs.gov/youth-and-education-in-science/gis-summer-fellows-program