NASA Space Apps Challenge 2026 — Free 48-Hour Hackathon in India — Frequently Asked Questions

Space Apps is a competition, not a funding scheme, and the prize pack is mainly non-cash. Anyone eligible who submits a project by the deadline receives a NASA Space Apps Certificate of Participation, and standout entries can be named Global Nominees, Global Finalists, Honorable Mentions or Global Winners in categories such as Best Use of Science, Best Use of Data, Best Use of Technology and Galactic Impact. That recognition brings international visibility and a route to NASA scientists and other space professionals, and projects from the hackathon have gone on to secure further development or funding after the event.

The registration deadline is 14 November 2026. Registration closes at the start of the hackathon weekend, so it is sensible to sign up well before that date and use the weekend itself to build and submit your project.

Anyone can enter. There are no age limits and no residency conditions, and you do not need a particular qualification, employer or background. Students, developers, designers, scientists, makers, storytellers and entrepreneurs all take part. Participants under 18 may need consent from a parent or guardian.

No. Eligibility is open to all individuals and teams globally with no age or residency conditions, so company incorporation, DPIIT recognition and MSME registration are not part of the entry requirements.

No equity is taken. Entry is free, and because Space Apps is a competition rather than an investment programme, no stake in your project is exchanged for taking part.

No. The hackathon is built for mixed teams precisely because the challenges span Earth science, space exploration, climate change, data visualisation, artificial intelligence, hardware and storytelling. Designers, writers and domain experts are as useful as developers.

Both routes work. The event is hybrid — you can join in person at a local host site, and several Indian cities host one, or take part virtually from anywhere. If you attend a host site, that local organiser may also offer its own awards, certificates or mentorship.

You can register as an individual or as a pre-formed team, and team size is flexible. Groups of 2 to 6 people are the typical size, but the format does not restrict how many members a team has.

Submissions pass through three levels of review — local, regional and global. Judges weigh innovation, the impact the solution could have, how well NASA's open data was used, and the quality of the presentation.

Registration is free. You sign up through the official Space Apps website or via a local host site, either on your own or as part of an existing team. Applications for the 2026 edition are open through the link on this page.