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The Challenge open submission period is closed.

Thank you for applying to the NASA Space Tech Catalyst Prize! Winner Announcements are tentatively scheduled for March 13, 2024

Prize Overview and Goals

NASA will recognize U.S. individuals and/or organizations that share effective best practices for how they support underrepresented and diverse space technology innovators, researchers, technologists, and entrepreneurs. Applicants may include teachers, mentors, and other individuals. Universities, non-profits, businesses, and other organizations are also encouraged to apply. 

NASA’s Space Tech Catalyst Prize offers $500,000 in awards to build community and foster effective engagement approaches within NASA’s Early-Stage Innovations and Partnerships (ESIP) portfolio. Up to 20 individuals and/or teams will each be awarded $25,000.

The prize competition’s primary goals are:

  • Showcase effective strategies and approaches for developing the capacity and skill sets of these
    groups, enhancing their ability to succeed.
  • Expand the outreach and engagement efforts of the NASA ESIP portfolio, ensuring a diverse and
    inclusive pool of applicants for future funding opportunities
  • Recognize the efforts of those who support and nurture underrepresented and diverse individuals and organizations in the space technology sector.

Prize Overview and Goals

The NASA SpaceTech Catalyst Prize recognizes and supports individuals and organizations that contribute to the growth and development of underrepresented and diverse innovators, researchers, technologists, and entrepreneurs in space technology.

With a total prize pool of $500,000, this prize aims to showcase best practices and solutions for engaging and empowering these groups, ultimately improving their chances of succeeding in the space technology funding landscape.

The prize competition’s primary goals are:

  • Recognize the efforts of those who support and nurture underrepresented and diverse individuals and organizations in the space technology sector.
  • Showcase effective strategies and approaches for developing the capacity and skill sets of these groups, enhancing their ability to succeed.
  • Expand the outreach and engagement efforts of the ESIP portfolio, ensuring a diverse and inclusive pool of applicants for future funding opportunities

Join us in this exciting challenge to celebrate inclusive innovation and drive positive change in the space technology community.

Winners will be invited to an in-person convening event in Greenbelt, Maryland at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center on Wednesday, April 17, 2024

The awardees will form a diverse, impact-oriented cohort. The cohort will be invited to participate in an in-person convening event to network with other winners and celebrate your contributions to the space tech community! Following the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) policy, each awardee will receive a travel stipend to cover the cost associated with lodging, food, and transportation.

The event will share best practices in reaching, engaging, and developing the capabilities and skill sets of diverse groups to be better prepared to apply for funding opportunities within ESIP.

ESIP Technology Areas of Interest

Explore the following technology areas of interest

GO! Rapid, Safe, and Efficient Space Transportation

This area focuses on developing advanced technologies for space transportation, including space nuclear propulsion, advanced propulsion, and cryogenic fluid management. The initiative aims to enable fast in-space transits and enhance storage, transport, and fluid management capabilities for both surface and in-space applications. The goal is to propel future science, commercial, and exploration missions with more efficient propulsion systems.

LAND! Expanded Access to Diverse Surface Destinations

Through precision landing and hazard avoidance technologies, the community strives to achieve lighting-independent precise landing on any terrain. The focus is on developing capabilities that enable small to large missions to efficiently enter the atmospheres of various celestial bodies within our solar system. This includes accurate prediction of plume surface interaction for global access to the moon and Mars.

LIVE! Sustainable Living and Working Farther from Earth

The sustainable living technology area is dedicated to developing advanced habitation systems that ensure astronauts' health and productivity while residing in space and planetary vehicles. Specific focus is also on in-situ resource utilization, aiming to develop scalable production and utilization capabilities for sustainable commodities on the lunar and Mars surfaces. Power and energy storage systems, as well as thermal management technologies, are crucial to enable continuous lunar and Mars surface operations and survival in extreme environments.

EXPLORE! Transformative Missions and Discoveries
  • There are several explore areas including advanced avionics and the advancement of radiation-hardened spaceflight computing technologies. 
  • Both terrestrial and in-space manufacturing technologies are being developed to enhance the capabilities and affordability of commercial and exploration missions. Autonomous systems and robotics technologies are also being advanced to enable and augment a wide range of science and exploration missions. 
  • Communication, navigation, and timing approaches are being developed to support diverse asset needs, including establishing asset location in-space. In-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing technologies expand in-space infrastructure, contributing to the creation, maintenance, and evolution of space assets. 
  • Small spacecraft technologies and responsive launch capabilities are being developed to rapidly expand space capabilities at significantly lower costs.

how to enter the prize competition

step 1

Register for the Competition by February 8th, 2024 (Registration is closed)

 

  • Click on the "Registration" tab to access the registration form.
  • Complete the registration form by providing the required information.
  • Ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements.
registration is closed
step 2

Attend an Informational Webinar (optional)

  •  we highly recommend attending an informational webinar to learn more about the Competition.
  • The webinar will provide valuable insights and guidance on how to proceed.
  • NASA intends to schedule multiple webinars throughout the prize submission window
  •  NASA Panelist Webinar: Jan 25, 2024 2:00-3:00 PM ET
webinar registration is closed
step 3

Submit a Competition Entry February 22nd, 2024 by 5 PM ET

  • Interested and eligible individuals and organizations should register and fill out the submission form on the competition website, provide references, and submit a short video. 
  • The form’s prompts ask applicants to describe the groups they currently engage with, what barriers their engagement approaches have addressed, an explanation of how NASA investment will further their work, and more.
  • When your submission form is ready with the necessary entry details, click Submit button

invite a mentor

Invite a mentor to apply by submitting their email

for more details contact us

If you need assistance with the registration form or understanding how to submit reach out via the contact form. 

Contact Form