NASA Space Apps Challenge 2026 Navigator Interest Form

Now in its 15th year, the NASA Space Apps Challenge (“NASA Space Apps Challenge”) is a global hackathon for coders, scientists, designers, storytellers, makers, builders, technologists, and others, where teams can engage with NASA’s free and open data to address challenges we face on Earth and in space.

Each year, NASA partners with space agencies around the world to provide free and open data and expertise to global participants. They work to inspire collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking that fosters interest in Earth and space science, technology, and exploration. The program leverages this interest to encourage the growth and diversity of the next generation of problem solvers and explorers.

NASA Space Apps Navigators (“Navigators”) are NASA Space Apps Challenge community members who have demonstrated excellence in the program or excellence in relevant fields including, but not limited to: science, data, technology, and space. By recognizing these exemplary community members as Navigators, the hackathon connects the tens of thousands of NASA Space Apps Challenge participants with community expertise that can enhance participant problem solving.

Each year, Navigators are recognized for their exemplary participation in the NASA Space Apps Challenge. Those interested in becoming a Navigator must have at least one of the following:

• Participated in the NASA Space Apps Challenge in some way (e.g. participant or Local Lead) at least 5 times
• Please note that 2026 Local Leads cannot be Navigators
• Demonstrated equivalent relevant experience in another NASA program
• Demonstrated equivalent relevant experience with other hackathons

NASA Space Apps Navigators will have the option to participate in opportunities prior to and during the hackathon, such as:

• Testing Global Offers links and challenge resources and offering feedback
• Responding to participant questions in Space Apps Connect
• Reviewing participant projects for quality and judging projects from the Universal Event

What are the expectations for the role of a NASA Space Apps Challenge Navigator?

• The Time Commitment for the role of a NASA Space Apps Challenge Navigator is typically approximately 20 hours total.
• 2 hours of virtual training
• 2 hours of testing Global Offer links and challenge resources and providing feedback
• 4-6 hours over the 2-day hackathon by supporting participants in the chat (November 14-15, 2026)
• 8-10 hours for reviewing and judging Universal Event solutions in the weeks following the hackathon
• The Navigator role is 100% virtual.
• Attend the Preparation Webinars: Navigators will be invited to join two webinars. Navigators who opt to participate in judging participant projects from the Universal Event will receive guidance on the reviewing process, presented in a webinar prior to the hackathon.
• Review Resources: Navigators will review and test links related to Global Offers to make sure everything works correctly prior to releasing these tools to participants during the hackathon. They will also review and provide feedback on resources related to each challenge to ensure the data is accessible and formatted correctly.
• Sign up for Space Apps Connect Coverage: Prior to the NASA Space Apps Challenge, Navigators will be invited to sign up for shifts to participate in Space Apps Connect, the hackathon’s chat platform hosted on Github, where all NASA Space Apps Challenge participants are invited to connect with one another and with the NASA Space Apps Global Organizing Team, Challenge Authors, Subject Matter Experts, NASA Space Apps Challenge Global Collaborators, and NASA Space Apps Challenge Navigators. The shifts are time periods of 2 hours.
• Engage with Participants in Space Apps Connect Discussions: Navigators engage participants in Discussions during the two-day hackathon, supporting participants by answering their questions or connecting them to the appropriate resources. Navigators often flag relevant questions for the NASA Challenge Authors and Subject Matter Experts as needed. As such, you’ll be in touch with these NASA Challenge Authors and Subject Matter Experts throughout the two days.

Thank you for your interest in enriching your NASA Space Apps Challenge journey as a NASA Space Apps Challenge Navigator! Please complete this interest form by September 1, 2026.