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Become a NASA Space Apps Local Lead and inspire innovation and problem solving in your community. The 2025 Local Lead Application is now closed. Please fill out the interest form if you would like to be notified when the 2026 Local Lead Application opens in February 2026.
NASA Space Apps Local Leads host NASA Space Apps Challenge Local Events. They are leaders of their local space and science communities who bring problem solvers and innovative thinkers together to address real challenges on Earth and space! Local Leads are responsible for participant recruitment, event planning, and coordination. As a Local Lead, you will also coordinate local sponsors, speakers, and community collaborations. The NASA Space Apps Global Organizing (GO) Team guides Local Leads through the hackathon preparation process and will provide you the information and support you need to succeed.
Join the NASA Space Apps Global Community and work alongside the NASA Space Apps GO Team to develop the largest annual global hackathon. Support a global community of participants in 160+ countries and territories.
As a Local Lead, you become a champion of the NASA Space Apps Challenge by recruiting members of your local community to participate in the annual hackathon.
Immerse yourself in the variety of disciplines represented in the NASA Space Apps Challenge and serve as a thought leader in your city’s space, tech, innovation, and creative communities.
Local Leads facilitate a positive experience for all local hackathon participants and are responsible for working with Local Judges to nominate the top projects for Global Judging.
Local Leads are approved on an individual basis and only one Local Lead is approved per location. Once approved, Local Leads must attend NASA Space Apps Challenge virtual trainings with hundreds of other Local Leads around the world. These virtual trainings create an environment for Local Leads to learn new skills, network, and design their events.