Application Opens: May 8th, 2025
Application Closes: June 26th, 2025
Paperwork Reduction Act Statement:

This information collection meets the requirements of 44 U.S.C 3507, as amended by section 2 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. You do not need to answer these questions unless we display a valid Office of Management and Budget control number. The OMB control number for this information collection is 2700-0192 and it expires on 06/30/2026. We estimate that it will take about 10 minutes to read the instructions, gather the facts, and answer the questions. You may send comments on our time estimate above to info@spaceappschallenge.org. Send only comments relating to our time estimate to this address.

Now in its 14th year, the NASA International 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 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.

To be eligible to be a Navigator, applicants 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 2025 Local Leads cannot apply to 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 (October 4-5, 2025)
  • 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! If you’d like to apply for this role, complete this application by June 26, 2025.

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* 1. First Name

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* 2. Last Name

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* 3. Email Address

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* 4. What is your city of residence?

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* 5. What is your country or territory of residence?

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* 6. I confirm I am over the age of 18 years

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* 7. Is your company/organization affiliated with and/or receiving funding from China or any Chinese-owned entity in relation to your participation here?

“China or Chinese-owned entity" means any department, agency, or instrumentality of the government of the People's Republic of China and any governmental subdivision thereof, including Hong Kong and Macau, any company owned by the People's Republic of China, or any company, university, or similar institution incorporated under the laws of the People's Republic of China or governmental subdivision thereof, including Hong Kong and Macau. Any determination of eligibility shall be made by NASA, in its sole discretion, and will be based on information provided by the applicant.

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