The NASA International Space Apps Challenge is an annual two-day hackathon funded by NASA’s Science Mission Directorate and run with space agency partners. Participants use NASA and partner open data to tackle official challenges about Earth and space.
The 2026 edition runs November 14–15 through the virtual Universal Event and in-person or virtual Local Events worldwide. Registration stays open until the hackathon closes on November 15, but each participant must register before their chosen event starts.
Benefits & funding
- Participation is free; official Space Apps events may not charge participants.
- Teams that submit a project receive participant certificates and enter Global Judging.
- Projects may be named Global Nominees, Global Finalists, Honorable Mentions or Global Winners; details for 2026 Global Winners are to be announced.
- Participation is voluntary and unpaid, with no claim to NASA or U.S. government compensation.
Eligibility
- People of any age, skill level, educational or professional background may take part; no degree or work-experience threshold is stated.
- Participants under 18 must be registered by a parent or legal guardian and accompanied by that adult throughout the event.
- U.S. federal civil service employees may not register as participants.
- Nationality is not a criterion, but no one may take part through an affiliation with China or a Chinese-owned entity (universities included; the policy covers Hong Kong and Macau), or collaborate with one in their participation.
- Registration must be completed before the chosen event begins.
Can you apply?
Check who can apply
No nationality, residency, education, experience, gender or age limit is listed. The other conditions are under Eligibility.
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We only check the criteria we have data for. Always confirm full eligibility on the official page before applying.
Application process
- 1Sign in or create a Space Apps account, complete the 2026 registration, and accept the participant terms.
- 2Choose an in-person or virtual Local Event, or the virtual Universal Event; a full event may waitlist applicants.
- 3Form or join a team of up to six people signed up for the same event, and pick one challenge.
- 4Submit the project through the team page by your event’s closing time on November 15, citing every resource used and its license.
Program timeline
Full challenge statements released.
October 28, 2026
Hackathon begins; submissions open at 9:00 AM local time.
November 14, 2026
Hackathon, registration and submissions close (11:59 PM local time).
November 15, 2026
Global Nominees, Finalists and Honorable Mentions announced.
December 2026
Global Winners announced.
January 2027