NASA Space Apps Challenge 2026 | Free Global Hackathon
The NASA Space Apps Challenge 2026 is a free global hackathon inviting individuals and teams worldwide to solve real-world problems using space data. Participants can collaborate on innovative projects and compete for international recognition.
Overview
The NASA Space Apps Challenge is an annual international hackathon organized by NASA. It brings together students, developers, scientists, designers, entrepreneurs, and space enthusiasts to collaborate on solutions for challenges related to Earth and space using open data from NASA and its international space agency partners. The hackathon takes place over two days, running on November 14–15, 2026.
Participants can tackle various challenge categories, including space exploration, Earth and climate, satellite data, software development, science and research, agriculture, technology, and creative storytelling. Projects can take the form of websites, mobile apps, software prototypes, data visualizations, educational tools, or scientific concepts.
Benefits
- Opportunity to receive Global Awards and international recognition for outstanding projects.
- Acquisition of a NASA Space Apps participant certificate upon successful project submission.
- Chance to collaborate globally and apply diverse skill sets to real-world problems.
Eligibility
- Open to participants of all ages, skill levels, and professional backgrounds.
- No specific academic degree, NASA internship, or expert programming experience is required.
- Open to international participants globally without requiring U.S. citizenship.
- Participants can register and compete individually or by forming a team.
How to Apply
Interested individuals can register for the hackathon by visiting the official website linked below.
Deadline
The event takes place on November 14–15, 2026.