NASA Space Apps Challenge 2026 Opens Worldwide: Here is How to Participate
NASA has opened registration for the 2026 NASA International Space Apps Challenge, giving students, researchers, programmers, designers and science enthusiasts worldwide a chance to use NASA data to solve real Earth and space problems.
The two-day global hackathon will run on November 14–15, 2026 under the theme The Next Frontier. Participation is free, with in-person Local Events worldwide plus a virtual Universal Event for participants without a nearby location. NASA says all ages, skill levels and professional backgrounds are welcome.
Quick Info on this NASA Competition
| Key Detail | NASA Space Apps 2026 |
|---|---|
| Organizer | NASA |
| Participation | Worldwide |
| Cost | Free |
| Eligible ages | All ages |
| Event dates | November 14–15, 2026 |
| Team size | Up to 6 participants |
| Format | In-person or virtual |
| Registration closes | November 15, 2026 |
| Project deadline | November 15, 11:59 PM local time |
Who Can Participate?
No university degree, NASA affiliation or professional experience is required. Participants can come from science, engineering, programming, design, storytelling or other backgrounds.
Those under 18 must be registered by a parent or legal guardian and accompanied by that guardian during the event. NASA rules also restrict participation connected with Chinese or Chinese-owned institutions, including relevant university affiliations.
Why This Is More Valuable Than an Ordinary Student Competition?
The strongest reason to enter Space Apps is not a conventional cash prize. NASA’s published rules do not promise participants financial compensation, which makes describing this as a typical prize competition misleading. Its value lies elsewhere: participants work directly with open NASA and partner-agency datasets, produce a public project under severe time constraints and can progress from local judging to NASA’s international judging process. Global winners may ultimately participate in a Winners Celebration involving a visit to a NASA Center or Facility.
That makes the competition particularly useful for students trying to build evidence of applied ability rather than merely adding another participation line to a CV. Last year alone, more than 114,000 people registered across 167 countries and territories, demonstrating that international access is genuine—but also that reaching global-winner level is exceptionally competitive.
For applicants entering STEM, data science or space-related fields, a strong submitted project may therefore be more valuable academically than the absence of a cash award suggests.
How to Join NASA Space Apps 2026?
- Create a NASA Space Apps account.
- Register for the 2026 hackathon.
- Select a nearby Local Event or the virtual Universal Event.
- Join or create a team of no more than six people.
- Select an official NASA challenge.
- Build your solution during the hackathon.
- Submit the completed project.
Submitting a project also qualifies participants to receive a participation certificate and enables eligible projects to enter judging.
Registration Deadline
Registrations for NASA Space Apps Challenge application window will remain open until the hackathon closes on November 15, 2026.
Applicants should register earlier, however, so they have time to select an event, find teammates and choose a challenge before the November 14–15 hackathon begins.