US Ambassador Scott Brown said the US New Zealand partnership to allow tertiary students to participate in NASA's International Internships Programme represented a leap forward in their cooperation.

New Zealanders who are shooting for the stars now have the opportunity to use Nasa's launch pad.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has struck a deal with the United States' National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa), which will see tertiary students here offered the chance to participate in Nasa's International Internships Programme.

Candidates from just 12 other countries are considered for the programme.

University of Auckland students Lara Collier, 20, and Amelia Cordwell, 19 said they would both be applying.

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Cordwell, who is studying science physics and mathematics, said the internship would be an exciting and incredible opportunity, with space industry poised to take off in this country.

MONIQUE FORD/STUFF University of Auckland students Lara Collier, 20, and Amelia Cordwell, 19 say they will be applying for the Nasa International Internships Programme.

"We'll see more space opportunities in New Zealand become more accessible."

The Nasa internship agreement is accompanied by a new scholarship from the New Zealand Space Agency, which sits within the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

The New Zealand Space Scholarship would be available for up to four applicants to cover participation, airfares, accommodation and other expenses.

Applications will be accepted from September 10 for Nasa's June 2019 internship session.

Economic Development Minister David Parker said this country was well positioned to become a "hub" for new space activities.

The experience of interring for Nasa could inspire someone to become an astronaut, or follow in the footsteps of great Kiwi scientist Sir William Pickering, who led the effort to put the first US satellite in orbit, Parker said.

MONIQUE FORD/STUFF US Ambassador Scott Brown and Economic Development Minister David Parker announced the partnership between Nasa and New Zealand on Monday.

The agreement also strengthened this country's connection with global space networks, he said.

US Ambassador Scott Brown said the Nasa partnership represented a leap forward in US-New Zealand cooperation.

"When I speak to the [Trump] administration, and all of my former colleagues, I say: 'the biggest opportunity is in New Zealand. Farming's great, but it's space'."

He hoped that when the Nasa interns returned to New Zealand, they could return as astronauts.

"They'd have the ability to go to a space station [in New Zealand] and do other incredible things."

The Nasa International Internship Programme would give Americans and Kiwis the chance to foster innovation, develop modern solutions to modern challenges, and advance scientific breakthroughs, he said.