Competition format & key facts
Organized detailsOverview
NASA's 2027 Gateways to Blue Skies student competition is accepting U.S.-based postsecondary teams to design innovative airborne platforms for inspecting land-based infrastructure by 2035.
Complete competition details
Teams submit a 5–7-page proposal and a two-minute video in Phase 1. A non-binding Notice of Intent is due 12 October 2026, while the proposal and video deadline is 22 February 2027. Up to eight finalist teams may each receive a $9,000 prize and advance to the May 2027 Gateways to Blue Skies Forum. Eligible members of the first-place team may receive NASA Aeronautics internship opportunities.
Eligibility requirements
Teams must include 2–6 students from an accredited U.S.-based postsecondary institution and one faculty adviser from the lead institution. At least two student members must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents and actively participate and present if selected. Student members must be at least 18 by proposal submission; additional restrictions are in the participation agreement.
Tips for this competition
Practical Job and Scholarship guidance. These tips do not replace official rules or create new eligibility requirements.
- Study the scoring criteria and previous winners before deciding what evidence, prototype, essay, research or portfolio will best support the entry.
- Confirm country, age, team, education and organization restrictions and whether one person may enter multiple submissions.
- Follow the required file format, word/time limits and naming rules exactly; technical non-compliance can disqualify a strong entry.
- Keep proof of submission and submit before the deadline rather than relying on the final hour.
Verification notes
Official 2027 Gateways to Blue Skies competition pages verified 7 September 2026. The structured deadline is the final Phase 1 proposal/video deadline. The earlier 12 October 2026 Notice of Intent deadline is preserved in details. Eligibility and prizes were verified on the current official site.
Job and Scholarship is the discovery and verification layer. Confirm eligibility, dates, salary/funding and application instructions on the original source before submitting anything.
NASA Gateways to Blue Skies / National Institute of Aerospace ↗