From Application to Mission Success.
MUREP: Minority University Research and Education Project
OSTEM: Office of STEM Engagement
STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
NCAS: NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars
Participant: any eligible student competing for the challenge
Challenge Administrator: the organization contracted by NASA to serve as the administrators of the challenge on behalf of NASA. For the NCAS Partner Institute Challenge, the Challenge Administrator is the Institute of Competition Sciences.
The NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars (NCAS) Student Challenge is a national student opportunity designed to prepare community college students for technical careers connected to NASA and the aerospace industry. The challenge is intended to increase awareness of aerospace career pathways, strengthen workforce-aligned technical skills, and connect students with employers and professional development opportunities.
The NCAS Student Challenge provides students with the opportunity to explore NASA mission areas, technical workforce roles, and aerospace industry career pathways while demonstrating how their community college coursework connects to real-world NASA and industry needs.
Participants complete a structured virtual learning and career exploration experience that includes asynchronous career exploration materials, milestone activities, project submissions, and participation in a virtual career fair. Students who successfully complete the challenge will have the chance to earn certificates, digital badges, stipends, and opportunities to engage directly with NASA and aerospace industry representatives.
The NCAS Student Challenge aligns with NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) priorities related to:
The challenge is designed specifically for community college students, including non-traditional learners, part-time students, career and technical education students, and students pursuing workforce credentials or transfer pathways.
The NCAS Student Challenge is designed to support the growing national demand for a skilled technical workforce in aerospace, aviation, advanced manufacturing, engineering technology, and related STEM fields.
The aerospace and defense sectors face increasing shortages in technical workforce roles, including technicians, manufacturing specialists, systems operators, programmers, and engineering support personnel. Community colleges play a critical role in preparing students for these careers through workforce training, technical certifications, and associate degree programs.
The goals of the NCAS Student Challenge include:
The challenge emphasizes practical career exploration, workforce-aligned learning, and student engagement rather than traditional academic competition alone.
NASA welcomes applications from eligible students enrolled at accredited U.S.-based two-year institutions.
4.1. Eligible Participants – To be eligible for an award or recognition through this Challenge, students must:
4.1.1. Be at least 18 years of age at the time of registration
4.1.2. Be a U.S. citizen
4.1.3. Be enrolled full-time or part-time at a fully accredited U.S.-based, community college – defined by US DOE as “an institution of a higher education . . . publicly controlled, and either awards only associate‘s degrees and certificates or awards associate degrees, certificates, and bachelor’s degrees, but less than 50 percent of the credentials it awarded in the prior school year were bachelor’s degrees.”
4.1.4. Be enrolled in or have successfully completed at least six (6) credit hours of STEM or STEM-related technical coursework applicable to NASA and aerospace workforce pathways (e.g., science, technology, engineering, mathematics, advanced manufacturing, welding, machining, engineering technology, aviation maintenance, computer programming, electronics, robotics, or similar technical fields).
4.1.5. Complete all required registration and eligibility materials
4.1.6. Adhere to all other items in the rules.
4.2.1. The NCAS Student Challenge is an individual student challenge. Participants complete and submit all required materials individually and are evaluated based on their own submissions and participation.
4.2.2. Team submissions are not permitted. Students may not combine submissions or participate as part of a team entry.
4.3.1. U.S. government employees (including Pathways and other interns) may participate only if:
4.3.1.1. They are not acting within the scope of their employment; and
4.3.1.2. They do not use government facilities, access, personnel, knowledge, or other resources obtained through their position – except for resources made available to all participants equally.
4.3.2. U.S. government employees participating as individuals are responsible for Ensuring:
4.3.2.1. Their participation is permitted by their agency’s rules and regulations.
4.3.2.2. They have obtained any required authorization prior to participation.
4.3.3. Failure to meet these conditions may result in disqualification of the individual.
4.4.1. Federal employees acting within the scope of employment are not eligible to win an award.
4.4.2. Employees of the Institute of Competition Sciences (ICS), their subsidiaries, affiliates, and immediate family members (spouse, parent, child, sibling and their respective spouses, regardless of residence) or persons living in the same household are not eligible.
4.5.1. If a participant is a government contractor or employed by one:
4.5.1.1. Their participation may be restricted.
4.5.1.2. If they or their employer are receiving government funding for similar projects, they are not eligible for an award under this competition.
4.5.2. Under such conditions, participant may not be eligible for an award.
4.6.1. All participants must register and comply with all requirements outlined in the competition rules and participant agreement.
Each student must submit:
4.7.1. A completed participation agreement signed by the student.
4.7.2. Proof of enrollment for the student, using one of the following:
4.7.2.1. Official or unofficial transcript showing active enrollment status.
4.7.2.2. Letter from the registrar confirming enrollment.
4.8.1. Any award or financial recognition associated with the NCAS Student Challenge will be distributed directly to the eligible participant, subject to verification of eligibility, successful completion of required challenge activities, and compliance with all applicable rules and federal requirements.
4.8.2. Participants selected to receive an award will be required to provide additional documentation necessary to process payment, including direct deposit information. It is the recipient’s responsibility to provide accurate and complete information for the receipt of their award money. ICS shall distribute prize money only through direct deposit (ACH) information to a U.S. based banking institution using the account information provided by the participant. ICS shall not be responsible for the disbursement of award money if information provided is not accurate or complete.
4.8.3. NASA and/or the Challenge Administrator reserve the right to withhold or revoke awards if a participant is found to be ineligible or in violation of the challenge rules or participation requirements.
The NCAS Student Challenge consists of two connected experiences designed to support student career exploration, workforce skill development, and engagement with NASA and aerospace industry professionals.
The Cohort Experience is a structured virtual learning and career exploration experience that introduces participants to NASA mission areas, aerospace industry pathways, and skilled technical workforce careers.
Participants complete a series of asynchronous learning activities, career exploration modules, milestone submissions, and final deliverables designed to help students connect their community college coursework, technical skills, and workforce interests to NASA and aerospace industry career opportunities.
Participants who successfully complete the Cohort Experience and all required submissions will become eligible for certificates of completion, digital badges, stipend opportunities, and invitation to participate in the NCAS Virtual Career Fair.
Participants who successfully complete the Cohort Experience will be invited to participate in the NCAS Virtual Career Fair.
The Virtual Career Fair is designed to connect participants with NASA representatives, aerospace industry professionals, employers, educators, and workforce development organizations. The event provides opportunities for students to explore technical career pathways, engage with industry representatives, and learn about internships, employment opportunities, certifications, and workforce training programs related to aerospace and advanced technology fields.
Participants who successfully complete the Virtual Career Fair and all associated submission requirements will become eligible for certificates of completion, digital badges, stipend opportunities, and additional recognition opportunities associated with the NCAS Student Challenge.
Note: All dates are subject to change at the discretion of NASA and/or the Challenge Administrator. Additional program details, submission instructions, and event information will be communicated through official NCAS communication channels.
| Part | Dates | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| Part 1: Cohort Experience | Aug 17, 2026 – Dec 16, 2026 Submission Deadline: Nov 30, 2026 at 3:00 pm Eastern | Registration, eligibility documentation, career exploration milestones |
| Part 2: Spring Career Fair | April 14 – May 3, 2027 Career Fair: Wednesday, April 14, 2027 Submission Deadline: May 3, 2027 at 3:00 pm Eastern | Virtual career fair, post-career fair submissions |
The NCAS Student Challenge provides participants with opportunities to earn stipends, certificates of completion, digital badges, and access to career exploration and workforce development opportunities related to NASA and the aerospace industry.
Awards are based on successful completion of challenge requirements, participation in required activities, and compliance with all eligibility and submission requirements outlined in these Rules.
Up to 1,000 participants who successfully complete the Cohort Experience and all required challenge submissions will receive:
Up to 500 participants who successfully participate in the NCAS Virtual Career Fair and complete all required post-career fair activities and submission requirements will receive:
Up to $625,000 in prize purses will be available. Total maximum award distribution and number of participants selected are subject to the availability of funds and final NASA approval.
All stipends and awards are distributed directly to eligible participants in accordance with the Distribution of Awards section of these Rules.
Participants will complete a structured career exploration experience designed to build awareness of NASA and aerospace workforce pathways, strengthen technical and professional skills, and culminate in a professional career portfolio.
The NCAS Student Challenge includes required participation activities, milestone submissions, and surveys.
8.1.1. Accept the Challenge: Participants must complete all onboarding requirements. Registration Deadline: September 28, 2026
8.1.2. Midpoint Career Exploration Mind Map: Participants submit a career exploration mind map as a midpoint milestone. Submission Deadline: November 2, 2026
The midpoint submission can include:
8.1.3. Career Portfolio: Participants must submit a professional career portfolio demonstrating workforce readiness and alignment to NASA and aerospace career pathways. Submission Deadline: November 30, 2026
The portfolio must include the following sections:
8.1.4. Surveys and Program Feedback: Participants complete surveys throughout the program to assess engagement, learning outcomes, and program effectiveness.
8.2.1. Updated Career Portfolio: Participants must submit an updated version of their career portfolio that reflects learning and engagement from the NCAS Virtual Career Fair. Submission Deadline: May 3, 2027
The updated portfolio must include:
8.2.2. Career Fair Elevator Pitch Video: Participants must submit a short professional video that communicates their career interests, technical preparation, and NASA workforce alignment. Submission Deadline: May 3, 2027
The video should be structured as an elevator pitch and include:
The video should be 2–3 minutes in length and should demonstrate clear communication, professionalism, and enthusiasm for NASA career pathways.
8.2.3. Survey and Program Feedback: Participants complete survey following career fair to assess engagement, learning outcomes, and program effectiveness.
2028
The following guidelines apply to all NCAS Student Challenge deliverables across both the Cohort Experience and Virtual Career Fair components. Submissions that do not meet the formatting, accessibility, or submission requirements may be considered incomplete and may not be eligible for review or recognition.
Original Work: All submissions must represent the participant’s own work. Any use of external tools, references, or artificial intelligence must be disclosed in accordance with the AI Use policy.
Use of Artificial Intelligence: Artificial intelligence tools (such as ChatGPT, Copilot, or similar systems) may be used to support learning and preparation of submissions. Participants must clearly disclose when AI tools were used and briefly describe how they were used in the development of any submitted material.
The NCAS Student Challenge uses a structured evaluation process designed to ensure submissions meet program requirements and demonstrate alignment with NASA’s workforce development goals.
Evaluation Process Overview
All submissions undergo a two-step evaluation process:
All submissions are first reviewed to confirm they meet basic program requirements. This includes verification that:
Submissions that do not meet these requirements may be deemed incomplete and may not proceed to scoring.
Scoring is conducted using a structured rubric that assesses:
Scoring is conducted independently by reviewers designated by NASA or the Challenge Administrator. Scores are applied consistently using established criteria to ensure fairness and comparability across submissions. Final outcomes are based on aggregate scoring and completion of required program components.
All submissions are evaluated based on completion, quality of reflection, and demonstrated alignment to NASA and aerospace workforce pathways. The criteria below are used to assess participant submissions for both the Cohort Experience and Career Fair components.
1) Career Exploration & NASA Workforce Awareness [0-5 points; weighted 1X]: How effectively does the participant demonstrate understanding of NASA mission areas, careers, and aerospace workforce pathways?
2) Academic & Skill Alignment [0-5 points; weighted 1X]: How effectively does the participant connect their community college coursework to technical and professional skills relevant to NASA and aerospace workforce pathways?
3) Professional Communication & Portfolio Readiness [0-5 points; weighted 1X]: How effectively does the participant communicate career goals, skills, and experiences in a clear and professional manner?
1) Career Fair Participation (Pass/Fail): Did the participant complete the required NCAS Virtual Career Fair participation requirement?
2) NASA Career Pathway Understanding [0-5 points; weighted 2X]: How effectively does the participant demonstrate understanding of NASA and aerospace career pathways based on Career Fair experiences?
3) Technical Skills & Career Readiness Awareness [0-5 points; weighted 2X]: How effectively does the participant describe relevant technical skills and their relationship to aerospace workforce opportunities following Career Fair experiences?
4) Video Communication Skills [0-5 points; weighted 1X]: How effectively does the participant communicate their career interests, skills, and aspirations in a professional elevator pitch format?
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