NASA TechRise Student Challenge 2026

The NASA TechRise Student Challenge 2026 is a competition for sixth to 12th-grade US students to design and build a science or technology experiment for a NASA high-altitude balloon. Up to 60 winning teams receive a starter kit and funds to develop their experiment, with compensation worth $1500 and a chance to test their project on a NASA-sponsored balloon flight. The challenge aims to provide hands-on experience in engineering, computing, and electronics and to help students gain practical STEM skills and recognition.

Starter kit for experiment development, funding for winner teams, NASA-sponsored flight opportunity, technical support from Future Engineers during build phase, potential recognition and experience in aerospace STEM.

Open to sixth to 12th-grade US students who can form a team with their school to develop a science or technology experiment.

Applicants form a team with their school and submit an experiment proposal through designated application channels.