Eligibility

College and University Participation (USLI)

Any U.S. College or University can submit a proposal to be considered for the Student Launch Challenge – University Student Launch Initiative (USLI). The USLI Division is a competitive division.

Middle and High School / Grades 6-12 Participation (SLI)

Qualifying Middle Schools, High Schools, and informal education institutions serving students in grades 6-12 can submit a proposal to be considered for the Student Launch Challenge – Student Launch Initiative Division (SLI). The SLI Division is a non-competitive, educational experience division.

Grades 6-12 teams can qualify to submit a proposal for Student Launch in either the American Rocketry Challenge (ARC) or Rockets for Schools (R4S):

• Top 25 finishing schools in the American Rocketry Challenge are invited to submit a proposal for the upcoming Student Launch Challenge year. Learn More
• Top 5 finishing schools in the Rockets for Schools competition Class II are invited to submit a proposal for the upcoming Student Launch Challenge Year. Learn More

Eligibility for Pre-Qualifying teams is for two years with requirements met. For all information regarding pre-qualification see SLI Eligibility Requirements.

Proposals

Proposals to participate in the NASA Student Launch College/University Division may be submitted from and U.S. college or university. Proposals to participate in the High School/Middle School Division may only be submitted from teams who:

1. Have qualified at the American Rocketry Challenge (Top 25) or Rockets For School (Top 5) and have completed the Advanced Rocketry Workshop (ARW)
2. Student Launch proposals and participation are limited to one team per school.

How to Apply

NASA’s Student Launch 2025 – 2026 proposal period is open!

Proposal submissions are due by 8 a.m. CT, Sept. 22, 2025

If your team is eligible, you are invited to submit a proposal by the deadline listed above. Student Launch is open to:

• Any U.S. university, college, or community college.
• Qualifying teams of students in grades 6-12. Teams that submit a proposal must meet all criteria outlined in the SLI Eligibility Requirements.

Proposal Submission Instructions:

• Proposals should be submitted as a PDF with the following naming convention:

Name of Institution – 2026 – Proposal (ex: Oakwood University – 2026 – Proposal)

• Please upload your proposal here: SL 2025-2026 Proposal Submission

NOTE: You do NOT need to create a Box account to upload your document

• Late submissions will not be accepted
• Submission of a proposal does not guarantee selection to participate