Pathways to Becoming a Space Talent
This program welcomes both domestic, overseas Chinese, and foreign students, aiming to cultivate internationally capable Space Elite. The learning journey is divided into three stages, and students are encouraged to follow the pathway below to gradually become Space Elite:
- Pre-course: In collaboration with university space-related departments, these courses target students in their junior year or above. Domestic industry instructors will provide guidance following the course structure, offering foundational knowledge of low-Earth-orbit satellite ground equipment and sharing enterprise-based project experiences.
- Design Practice: Through an "International Training Camp," students will be exposed to international instructors, teaching materials, and lesson plans, cultivating systematic design knowledge and hands-on practice skills.
- R&D Practice: Domestic enterprises provide space (satellite) R&D opportunities, allowing university students to participate in practical research and development during the summer. This stage strengthens problem-solving abilities and practical skills, preparing students to become fully capable space talents.
1. It is recommended that a primary unit of the university or college serves as the single point of contact.
2. It is recommended that colleges and universities grant students admitted to this program equivalent internship credits.
3. Conduct an internal selection process and recommend qualified domestic students and overseas Chinese/foreign students (excluding students from Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macao) who are in their third year or above and currently enrolled as regular students, as well as fresh graduates. Fresh graduates should legally obtain approval from the National Immigration Agency (MOI) to extend their residence.
4. Participate in activities organized under this program, such as talent matching and research project presentations, to showcase students' project outcomes. Further, these activities can be used as opportunities for school marketing and increased visibility.
5. Assist enrolled overseas Chinese and international students accepted into this program in applying for work permits.
Research and Development Internship: Eligibility for Application
Please refer to the application guide for each year.
For 2026, the internship period is from July 1st to September 30th.
The public and private colleges and universities in the Republic of China (Taiwan) approved by The Ministry of Education (hereinafter referred to as "colleges and universities") are eligible to recommend and confirm applications from students who are in their junior year or higher, as well as those in master’s and doctoral programs for this plan.
I. Domestic Students
An applicant must meet at least two of the following criteria:
- must hold Taiwan (R.O.C.) citizenship.
- Is a student in their third year of study or higher (including Master’s and PhD) during the Fall 2026 semester (excluding in-service students). No specific major requirements.
- graduate of 2026, and must obtain graduation certificate by August 31, 2026 (male students must have completed military service obligation or meet exemption criteria). Excluding in-service students.
II. Overseas Chinese and International Students
An applicant must meet all of the following criteria:
- is an international or overseas Chinese student who holds valid Alien Resident Card (ARC); *Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao students are not eligible for this program.
- must maintain full-time student status from the time of application to participation in the program;
- is a student in their third year of study or higher (including Master’s and PhD) during the Fall 2026 semester (excluding in-service students). No specific major requirements. Students must hold a valid work permit from July 1st to September 30, 2026. The application process for work permits should be in accordance with the regulations of each university. Please contact the international student affairs office of each university for details.
- graduate of 2026, no specific major requirement but must obtain graduation certificate by August 31, 2026. Graduates must have already legally obtained approval from the National Immigration Agency (MOI) to extend their residence.
- Domestic Students
Yes, one can apply as long as they hold Taiwanese (R.O.C.) citizenship and a certificate of enrollment. - Overseas Chinese and International Students
Yes, one can apply as long as they hold valid Alien Resident Card (ARC) and a certificate of enrollment.; *Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao students are not eligible for this program. In addition, one must hold a valid work permit from July 1st to September 30th, 2026. The application process for work permits should be in accordance with the regulations of each university. Please contact the international student affairs office of each university for details.
Yes, the program is open to overseas Chinese and international students. Please refer to the eligibility.
Yes. The school or the student must provide supporting documents proving future enrollment in a graduate program (such as an admission notice) or a signed declaration to demonstrate student status. After enrollment, official proof of registration must be submitted to complete the record. The student will be given master's stipend.
Yes, students interested in participating in the research and development program should register online, complete the application form, and upload relevant resume materials. The final recommendation list will be confirmed by the school's designated contact person.
Research and Development Internship: About the recommendation of the college and university coordination window
A designated single contact from each university should apply to the program execution team for an account. Each university is limited to one set of account credentials (username and password). The recommendation of students must be completed by April 30, 2026.
No, there are no restrictions. However, it is recommended that the contact person be appointed by a university-level administrative unit, and that internal selection and recommendation processes be conducted first.
There are no restrictions on the majors, and the number of students that universities can recommend is unlimited.
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The student recommendation list for each university must be completed by April 30, 2026.
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It is recommended that universities complete the student recommendation list as early as possible. The registration system will require students to fill in all mandatory fields, and the current file upload size limit is set at 10MB.
Selection of the Space Industry Talents
The student selection process is divided into two stages.
- First Stage: The enterprises will go through the resume matching after the schools provide the lists of recommendations, and the students can also actively apply for the positions on their own.
- Second Stage: Those who are invited can join the second stage of the selection process, which they will engage in one-on-one matching and networking with the enterprises.
After the second-stage interviews, enterprises will notify students of their selection status and complete the registration process by early June, 2026. The list of admitted students will be published on the program's website by mid-June 2026.
Stipend of the Space Industry Talents
- The program provides a total stipend of NT$36,000 for undergraduate students and NT$60,000 for master's and doctoral students. Other related salary and benefits are to be negotiated between the enterprises and the selected students.
- Labor and health insurance are generally divided into self-paid and enterprise-paid portions. The enterprise covers the enterprise-paid portion, while the student is responsible for the self-paid portion. Therefore, the actual stipend received by the student is the amount after deducting the self-paid labor and health insurance costs.
Research and Development Internship Hours
Each student is required to complete a minimum of 183 R&D internship hours. Throughout the entire three-month duration, students are expected to participate in research and development activities every month. The actual working hours are to be mutually agreed upon by the companies and the students. Additionally, students must upload their internship involvements onto the TMS system, such as the report of the R&D internship content, learning activities, counseling records, etc.
1. Students may terminate the program with a enterprise due to uncontrollable circumstances, provided they submit relevant documentation (such as a medical diagnosis). In such cases, they will not be required to repay any stipend already received, unless otherwise specified.
2. Program will be terminated under these circumstances.
- The students have provided false information during application and resume submission; in such cases, they must return any stipends received to the company and will not be eligible to reapply for the program.
- The students are in violation of the contract or work regulations.
- The students intentionally damage or waste the enterprise's R&D resources, including machinery, tools, raw materials, products, or any other company property, or who intentionally disclose the company’s technical or business secrets, thereby causing damage to the enterprise.
- The students are absent from work for three consecutive days without justifiable reason, or who are absent for a total of six days within a single month without justifiable reason.
3. Termination and Withdrawal application must be submitted to the Program Office by the enterprise. The stipend will be calculated up to the termination date and disbursed proportionally based on the hours completed.
Other Questions
1. Key Components: Such as high-frequency/high-speed substrates (base materials), baseband chips, beamforming chips, radio-frequency (RF) materials, components, and modules (e.g., microwave and millimeter-wave), packaging and process materials, and antenna element materials.
2. Subsystems: Such as antenna subsystems and indoor/outdoor equipment interconnection subsystems.
(1) Antenna Subsystems: Such as phased array antennas (e.g., liquid crystal antennas), dish antennas, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems, antenna packaging and module technologies, and antenna control units.
(2) Indoor/Outdoor Equipment Interconnection Subsystems: Such as connectors, power supplies, routers, modems, and related devices.
3. System-Integrated Terminals: Such as user terminals, ground receiving stations, satellite telemetry, tracking and command (TT&C) stations, and multi-orbit, multi-constellation system integration.
4. Others: Such as satellite platform components, satellite ground equipment testing, and innovative applications (e.g., residential, automotive, aviation, maritime, or other satellite-related services, including direct-to-device satellite communications).
1. The company, through a unified contact window, collects internal unit or subsidiary needs for the enterprise's space research and development and personnel requirements.
2. Depending on company needs, they can apply for up to 7 Space Elite positions for a single research and development project.
1. “Rising Stars of the Space Industry and Telecom Industry” Enterprise Application Form.
2. A photocopy of the company or business registration document. The applicant must be a company established in Taiwan, and not an offshore branch or a Mainland China-invested enterprise (based on the latest list from the Investment Commission, MOEA).
3. Recent profit tax or business tax payment certificate.
4. A bank certification proving no returned checks within the past year.
5. All application documents must be stamped with the company's seal and signed by the responsible person.
1. Review Criteria for Large Enterprises
(1) Project Content and Position Potential (40%)
The relevance and alignment between the project content and its corresponding field, as well as the correlation between the position, hands-on implementation direction, and the project content.
(2) Living Allowance (10%)
Financial support provided by the enterprise for interns’ meal expenses, accommodation, transportation, or related costs.
(3) Salary Enhancement (25%)
To strengthen incentives for talent retention and employment, enterprises are encouraged to offer additional salary compensation.
(4) Additional Training Quota (25%)
In addition to the allocated quota, enterprises may conduct extra interviews with students from the program’s talent pool for participation in enterprise-based training. Enterprises are required to provide hands-on training allowances equivalent to those under this program, jointly promoting talent development.
(5) Bonus Items (+10%)
A. Number of participants in enterprise R&D hands-on training in the previous year, retention rate, and fulfillment of commitments to self-invested resources.
B. Enterprise-organized training programs,成果 exhibitions, or competitions.
C. Patents applied for as extended outcomes of R&D projects.
D. Sponsorship of R&D equipment or experimental materials for universities and colleges.
2. Review Criteria for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs)
(1) Project Content (50%)
The relevance and alignment between the project content and its corresponding field.
(2) Position Potential (35%)
The correlation between the position, hands-on implementation direction, and the project content.
(3) Enterprise Self-Invested Resources (15%)
Including, but not limited to, living allowances, salary enhancements, additional training quotas, and other incentives for talent retention and employment.
(4) Bonus Items (+10%)
A. Number of participants in enterprise R&D hands-on training in the previous year, retention rate, and fulfillment of commitments to self-invested resources.
B. Enterprise-organized training programs,成果 exhibitions, or competitions.
C. Patents applied for as extended outcomes of R&D projects.
D. Sponsorship of R&D equipment or experimental materials for universities and colleges.
1. Application Process: Companies propose their personnel requirements for space-related research.
2. Evaluation Process: The project office organizes a review committee to evaluate and approve the proposed R&D projects and personnel requirements.
3. Selection Process: Companies match and select suitable candidates from the Space Elites' resumes.
4. Reporting and Admission Process: Companies submit the list of selected candidates and notify them to complete relevant reporting procedures.
1. Enterprises must assign at least one employee as a mentor for each R&D project to assist in the selection process and subsequent R&D guidance.
2. Participate in student selection activities such as talent matching, interviews, submitting admission lists, participating in the final R&D presentation and matching exchange activities, and other activities organized by the project.
3. Notify students to complete the registration procedures and inform the project implementation team of the registration progress.
1. During the implementation period, enterprises should guide each student through the R&D project and assist in task arrangements, encouraging students to participate in learning activities organized by the project, such as technical workshops.
2. The total R&D hours for each student should reach at least 183 hours over the three-month period, with study hours recorded each month (foreign students are limited to 20 hours per week during the school term, but there are no limits during summer). Students must also submit monthly records of R&D activities, learning activities, or mentoring records in the TMS training management system.
3. At the end of the project, enterprises must recommend students to participate in the R&D presentation, showcasing the outcomes as part of the company's marketing and exposure strategy.
1. Students may terminate the program with a enterprise due to uncontrollable circumstances, provided they submit relevant documentation (such as a medical diagnosis). In such cases, they will not be required to repay any stipend already received, unless otherwise specified.
2. Program will be terminated under these circumstances.
(1) The students have provided false information during application and resume submission; in such cases, they must return any stipends received to the company and will not be eligible to reapply for the program.
(2) The students are in violation of the contract or work regulations.
(3) The students intentionally damage or waste the enterprise's R&D resources, including machinery, tools, raw materials, products, or any other company property, or who intentionally disclose the company’s technical or business secrets, thereby causing damage to the enterprise.
(4) The students are absent from work for three consecutive days without justifiable reason, or who are absent for a total of six days within a single month without justifiable reason.
Termination and Withdrawal application must be submitted to the Program Office by the enterprise. The stipend will be calculated up to the termination date and disbursed proportionally based on the hours completed.
1. The student subsidy is calculated up to the termination date and is prorated based on the R&D hours completed.
2. If the R&D project is terminated, enterprises may apply for a replacement student:
(1) The enterprise must apply before August 31, 2026, with priority given to students on the waiting list.
(2) If the waiting list does not meet the project requirements, replacements may be selected from students recommended by universities.
(3) Replacement applications must be reviewed by the project team, and subsidies must not overlap. The R&D hours will be calculated consecutively without overlap between the original and replacement periods.
3. If no replacement is made, the subsidy already received by the enterprise will be deducted from the final payment or returned.
Students recruited by enterprises will participate in the R&D project from July 1, 2026, to September 30, 2026 (a total of three months). The total R&D hours must reach at least 183 hours, with R&D hours recorded each month. The project provides a total subsidy of NT$36,000 for undergraduate students and NT$60,000 for graduate students (including doctoral students). Other related salary benefits are negotiated between the enterprise and the recruited student.
The subsidy is paid by the project to the enterprise, which then provides it to the student.
The subsidy will be paid in two installments based on the number of recruited students.
1. The first installment, accounting for 50% of the project budget, will be paid after the contract is signed and upon submission of an invoice (including tax).
2. The second installment (final payment), accounting for 50% of the project budget, will be paid after final settlement of actual expenses, submission of a cumulative expense statement, and the R&D subsidy claim list, and upon approval of acceptance, with an invoice (including tax) issued by the enterprise.
1. Enterprises must establish a dedicated account to record all income and expenses. Project funds should be directly deposited into the enterprise's dedicated account and must not be received by a third party.
2. Enterprises must cooperate with the project's accounting audit and submit relevant accounting documents within the specified time. If the accounting documents are incomplete or violate Ministry of Economic Affairs regulations, the enterprise must unconditionally return the government funds. If major deficiencies are found, the enterprise will be disqualified from applying for the project for three years.
3. The balance of project funds and pre-tax interest must be returned to the national treasury.
4. If there are special reasons due to budget review by the Legislative Yuan, the project funds may be adjusted accordingly.
No. Enterprises may modify a standard labor contract to fit the project requirements or adjust their internal contract templates to meet the mutually agreed terms.
After the matchmaking deadline, the project will announce the list of interns admitted by companies on the project website. To protect personal information, if a space elite intern has a three-character name, the middle character will be marked with an O. Additionally, during the 3-month internship, interns must document their monthly research tasks and learning activities conducted at the company through the project learning platform. Both the announcement and records can serve as proof.
If a space elite intern withdraws due to force majeure, they do not need to return the allowance already claimed from the company. The remaining allowance will be given to a replacement intern. If no replacement is available, the remaining allowance must be returned to the treasury.
Each company has only one matchmaking account. Once a match is successful, a separate management account for the project advisor will be created. If the password is forgotten, it can be reset through the login portal by clicking "Forgot Password".
The project’s free online courses and customized training resources are available primarily for matched companies and space elite interns. Any remaining accounts will be distributed equally among the companies.
