NASA announced an updated version of its Community College Aerospace Scholars (NCAS) student challenge on Sept. 2, 2026, aimed at students across the U.S. The program, administered by NASA's Minority University Research and Education Project, invites participants to learn about the agency, engage with NASA experts and explore aerospace careers while competing for monetary awards.

According to the report, the deadline to register was Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. The fall cohort phase called on students to join live virtual experiences with NASA experts and submit materials connecting their coursework to a NASA role. Up to 1,000 submissions were eligible for a $500 award, and students completing that phase were to be invited to a spring virtual career fair. After the fair, additional materials could be submitted for prizes of $250 for up to 500 of the top submissions.

Project manager Alicia Baturoni Cortez said the challenge is among few opportunities specifically for community college students, designed to broaden career awareness. The article also profiled former participants Kim Alexander and Ashley Rodriguez, who began NCAS-funded NASA internships in January 2024 and have since earned university degrees and started NASA Pathways internships.