The Laboratory for Terrestrial Physics in the Earth Sciences Directorate, the Laboratory for Extraterrestrial Physics in the Space Sciences Directorate, and Mission to Planet Earth under the Director of the Center have also participated. From a handful of students in 1984, the program has steadily grown. Students are also required to participate in a poster session and to deliver a 15-minute oral presentation. Student reports are available for previous years . USRA handles the correspondence with prospective students, their travel and accommodation arrangements, and their fiscal concerns.
Civil servants administer the program.
Announcements about the program are sent to high schools, colleges, and universities each year in early December. These announcements list the year's deadline dates and the required materials for consideration. The students are matched with a Goddard scientist to perform work involving computers for NASA projects with the complexity of the assignment in direct proportion to the educational level and technical background of the student. Mentors provide guidance on the projects for no less than 3 hours a week. Since the nature and complexity of the projects vary and the students backgrounds vary, some students may need more guidance than others.