Role Type: Student Innovation Challenge (Multi-Phase)
Eligibility: Students at MSIs, HBCUs, and TCUs (Undergrad & Grad)
Prize Pool: Up to $380,000 awarded to Lead Institutions
Registration Deadline: February 9, 2026
Application Status: Registration Opens Dec 15, 2025
Overview of the Opportunity
The NASA ORBIT (Opportunities in Research, Business, Innovation, and Technology) Challenge is a premier competition designed to empower the next generation of innovators. Unlike standard internships, this is a team-based innovation challenge where students develop next-generation solutions that benefit life on Earth and in Space.
This challenge is specifically targeted at Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs). It offers a massive prize pool of up to $380,000 to help participating institutions strengthen their STEM workforce and commercialization capabilities.
The Two Innovation Tracks
Teams must choose one of two distinct tracks to focus their efforts on:
1. ORBIT Earth (Commercialization)
This track challenges teams to take existing NASA technology and find a new use for it down here.
- Goal: Create novel commercial applications using NASA-owned patents.
- Focus: Entrepreneurship, business development, and technology transfer.
2. ORBIT Space (Mission Technology)
This track is for the hardcore engineers and scientists.
- Goal: Develop mission-enhancing concepts that address NASA’s strategic technology gaps.
- Focus: Systems design, research, and concept development for future missions.
Bonus: There is an optional "Integration Bonus" for projects that successfully bridge both Earth and Space applications.
Competition Structure
The challenge takes place across four phases. Throughout the process, teams receive:
- Mentorship: Direct guidance from NASA experts.
- Training: Technical and entrepreneurial training sessions.
- Showcase: Finalists will present their concepts at an in-person showcase (likely in Houston, Texas).
Eligibility Criteria: Who Can Compete?
This competition has strict institutional requirements. Please read carefully.
1. Lead Institution Requirement
- Must be an MSI, HBCU, or TCU: The "Lead Institution" for the team must be listed on the NASA MSI Exchange.
- Location: Must be a U.S.-based entity.
2. Team Composition
- Size: Teams must have 6 or fewer student members (plus a Faculty Advisor).
- The 60% Rule: At least 60% of the team members must be from the Lead Institution (MSI/HBCU/TCU).
- Partners: The remaining members can be from ANY U.S. college or university.
- Levels: Open to Undergraduate and Graduate students (Full-time or Part-time).
3. Faculty Advisor
- Each team must have a Faculty Advisor (Professor, Dean, etc.) employed by the Lead Institution.
4. Citizenship & Foreign Nationals
- General Rule: Open to U.S. Citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents, and Foreign Nationals who are full-time students at a U.S. university and reside in the U.S.
- Restriction: Due to security regulations, foreign citizens may not be approved to attend onsite events at NASA centers.
Key Dates
- Registration Opens: December 15, 2025
- Registration Closes: February 9, 2026
- Program Year: FY2026
How to Register
Gather your team, find a faculty advisor, and decide whether you want to solve a problem for Earth or Space. Registration is handled via the official ORBIT website.