NASA announced on Sept. 29, 2026, that its 2027 Human Lander Challenge is open to college and university students, seeking ideas on reliable communications for sustained lunar exploration. The agency said resilient systems would connect astronauts, rovers, habitats, landers and Earth-based support teams as it prepares for long-term human presence on the Moon through the Artemis and Moon Base programs.

The competition invites U.S.-based collegiate teams and faculty advisers to develop systems-level solutions that could be implemented within three to five years. Teams interested in participating should submit a non-binding notice of intent by Thursday, Oct. 15, and proposal packages — a five to seven-page proposal and a two-minute video — are due March 4, 2027. NASA named hardware, software and architecture among its focus areas.

Up to 12 finalist teams will be selected in phase 1 to receive $9,000 each and advance to a final design review in Huntsville, Alabama, planned for June 21–24, 2027. The top three teams from phase 2 will share a total prize of $18,000. The challenge is administered by the National Institute of Aerospace and sponsored by NASA's Human Landing System Program Office.