NASA Opens $500K ORBIT Challenge for US College Students

NASA opens its 2026–27 ORBIT Challenge for US college students, offering up to $500,000 in prizes across Earth and space technology tracks. Registration remains open until November 16, 2026.

NASA opens applications for the 2026–27 seasons of its ORBIT Challenge, inviting university and community college students across the United States to develop innovative applications using NASA technology and address challenges linked to future space missions. The competition offers up to $500,000 in total prize funding and provides participants with opportunities to work with NASA intellectual property receive expert mentorship and develop industry-oriented skills.

The ORBIT Challenge, which stands for Opportunities in Research, Business, Innovation, and Technology for the Workforce, is designed to connect student innovation with technology development, entrepreneurship and workforce preparation. Registration for the 2026–27 competition remains open until November 16, 2026.

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Students can participate through two main tracks. Under ORBIT Earth, teams select a NASA-owned patent and develop a new commercial or nonprofit application that addresses a problem on Earth. Proposed solutions can cover areas such as healthcare, environmental challenges and other applications with potential public benefit.

The ORBIT Space track focuses on technologies for future space exploration. Teams develop concepts addressing areas relevant to NASA's Artemis programme and longer-term human exploration, including power, communications, navigation, living systems and astronaut health.

Teams can also pursue an optional Integration Bonus by demonstrating how their solution can serve both Earth and space applications.

The competition progresses through multiple stages, beginning with research, concept development and feasibility analysis. Selected teams advance toward an in-person Pitch Showcase, where participants present their solutions to expert judges.

Up to 20 finalist teams can receive $15,000 each, while additional awards are presented during the final showcase. The overall prize pool across the competition is capped at $500,000. Finalists also gain access to an accelerator programme focused on technical development, entrepreneurship, and project management, pitching and career preparation.

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The challenge is open to undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at eligible US colleges and universities, including community colleges. Teams are required to meet NASA's institutional and participation requirements, including designated lead-institution criteria and faculty-advisor requirements.

Students interested in participating must create an account on NASA's STEM Gateway and apply for the 2026–27 NASA ORBIT Challenge. The student team lead is responsible for submitting the main application proposal.

The challenge provides students with practical exposure to research, technology development, entrepreneurship and aerospace innovation while connecting academic projects with NASA's Earth and space technology priorities.