Overview
Registration is open for the 2026 NASA Space Apps Challenge, a global two-day hackathon on 14-15 November where participants use NASA and partner space-agency data to build solutions for real-world Earth and space challenges.
Complete competition details
Participants create an account, register for the 2026 hackathon, choose an in-person or virtual local event, form or join a team of no more than six people and submit a project through the official platform. People without a nearby local event can select the virtual Universal Event. Projects submitted before the event closes can receive a participant certificate and become eligible for global judging. Challenge topics can include software development, data, science, storytelling, agriculture, astrophysics and space exploration.
Eligibility requirements
The official programme welcomes participants of all ages, skill levels and professional backgrounds. Participants under 18 must be registered and accompanied as required by the official terms. U.S. federal civil-service employees are not eligible to register as participants under the 2026 terms. Every participant must register individually, select an event and comply with the applicable local-event and participant rules.
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
Verified against the official 2026 NASA Space Apps Challenge page, About page and 2026 participant terms on 27 August 2026. The official site states that registration is open, the event is 14-15 November 2026, the Universal Event is available, all ages and skill levels are welcome, and registration remains possible until the hackathon closes.
Job and Scholarship is the discovery and verification layer. Confirm eligibility, dates, salary/funding and application instructions on the original source before submitting anything.
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