NASA’s long-standing commitment to exploration and discovery has inspired generations of scientists, engineers, and dreamers around the world. But beyond the rockets, rovers, and satellites, NASA’s legacy also lies in its vast library of cutting-edge innovations—technologies developed for space that can revolutionize life on Earth.
In 2025, NASA’s Technology Transfer Office is taking that mission a step further through the NASA Patent Remix Challenge — a bold, open call for innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers, and creative thinkers to reimagine NASA’s patented technologies in new and impactful ways.
This exciting global competition invites participants to explore NASA’s patent portfolio, select an existing patent, and develop a viable commercial or social application that could change the way we live, work, or interact with technology. The challenge is open and free for all, and participants have the opportunity to compete for a $10,000 grand prize, along with recognition from NASA and potential pathways to turn their ideas into reality.
The NASA Patent Remix Challenge is more than just a competition—it’s an innovation incubator. Sponsored by NASA’s Technology Transfer Office and administered by Blue Clarity, the challenge invites individuals and teams from around the world to unlock the potential of NASA’s patented technologies.
Participants will identify an existing NASA patent—or a set of related patents—and develop a new application that creatively repurposes the technology to solve a real-world problem or address a market opportunity. The goal is to show how space innovations can be transformed into practical solutions that generate public value, stimulate economic growth, and advance U.S. leadership in innovation.
Through this challenge, NASA aims to bridge the gap between groundbreaking research and commercial viability, enabling more people to access, understand, and apply the technologies originally designed for space exploration.
Innovation takes time and vision, and the NASA Patent Remix Challenge provides a structured pathway for both. The competition follows a clear timeline that allows participants to explore, create, and refine their ideas before submission:
This period gives innovators over two months to explore NASA’s patent library, identify opportunities, build their business model, and craft a compelling concept and presentation.
The challenge is open to all individuals and teams, regardless of experience. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, engineer, student, or creative visionary, you’re encouraged to participate—no previous background in aerospace or patent commercialization is required.
Participants in the NASA Patent Remix Challenge will follow a structured process to transform their chosen patent into a tangible and market-ready idea.
Begin by visiting the NASA Technology Transfer patent database at technology.nasa.gov. This library contains over 20 years of NASA innovations across fields such as materials science, robotics, energy systems, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology. Each patent represents a piece of NASA’s legacy—and an opportunity to create something extraordinary on Earth.
Once you’ve selected a patent, the next step is to identify a pressing real-world problem that the technology could help solve. This might include challenges in sustainability, healthcare, mobility, climate resilience, industrial automation, or public safety. The most competitive entries will align NASA’s technologies with global needs and offer innovative ways to bring them to market.
Your concept should clearly define how the NASA patent forms the core innovation behind a viable product, service, or startup. Consider how your solution could disrupt existing market capabilities or fill an unmet need.
Participants are encouraged to apply the Strategyzer Business Model Canvas (BMC) to define the key aspects of their concept, including:
To communicate their ideas effectively, participants will submit three components:
Submissions will be judged on four primary criteria:
Participating in the NASA Patent Remix Challenge is an opportunity to engage directly with one of the world’s most prestigious research institutions. Beyond the $10,000 prize, this challenge provides exposure, mentorship connections, and the possibility of pursuing a NASA technology license to bring your idea to life.
Winning concepts may serve as the foundation for future startups, partnerships, or R&D projects, while also receiving recognition through NASA’s communication channels. Finalists and winners will demonstrate how space technology can fuel Earth-based innovation, reinforcing the role of NASA as a catalyst for progress beyond the stars.
Unlike many technical competitions, this challenge is open to all backgrounds. Whether you are a business student with a creative vision, an engineer seeking to apply your skills to a new domain, or an artist inspired by science, the NASA Patent Remix Challenge welcomes your participation. The key is originality, insight, and a strong ability to articulate your concept’s potential.
Since its inception, NASA has led humanity’s greatest achievements in science and exploration. Yet, many people are unaware that NASA innovations already play a vital role in everyday life. From advanced materials and water purification systems to medical imaging technologies and wireless communication tools, NASA’s research has laid the foundation for countless commercial products.
Through its Technology Transfer Program, NASA provides public access to over 20 years of patented innovations—making its technologies available for entrepreneurs, inventors, and businesses seeking to create new products and industries.
These technologies span areas such as:
The Technology Transfer Office at NASA’s Glenn Research Center has been instrumental in transforming space technologies into practical tools that improve lives and strengthen the U.S. economy. Many of these success stories are documented in NASA’s Spinoff publication—a resource showcasing how NASA research fuels innovation across sectors.
To learn more, participants are encouraged to explore NASA’s Spinoff portal at spinoff.nasa.gov, where they can find inspiration from dozens of technologies that have successfully transitioned from space missions to consumer applications.
The Patent Remix Challenge isn’t just a competition—it’s a collaborative environment where creativity thrives. Participants are encouraged to connect, share insights, and build teams through the official Slack channel, where they can engage with mentors, organizers, and other innovators.
The challenge team also provides a suite of resources and templates, including:
These tools ensure that every participant—regardless of experience—can confidently navigate the process of turning a NASA patent into a compelling, feasible innovation.
After the submission period closes, a panel of judges will review entries based on creativity, feasibility, business potential, and clarity of presentation.
Winning participants will not only receive monetary rewards but also gain the opportunity to advance discussions with NASA’s Technology Transfer Office about potential licensing and commercialization pathways.
Importantly, ownership of non-governmental intellectual property developed during this competition remains with the participant. This means that the ideas, business plans, and derivative concepts you create are yours to pursue independently after the challenge concludes.
Before submitting, participants should carefully review the Eligibility Requirements and Participation Agreement available on the official competition page. The challenge is open to individuals aged 18 or older, as well as teams. International participants are welcome, provided they comply with applicable U.S. laws and export control regulations.
There is no cost to enter, and registration is completed through an Eventbrite link provided on the challenge website. Registered participants will receive updates, reminders, and access to optional mentoring sessions and webinars.
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Challenge Launch | October 6, 2025 |
| Submission Deadline | December 15, 2025 |
| Winners Announced | January 30, 2026 |
All submissions must be received by 11:59 PM EST on December 15, 2025, to qualify for judging. Late submissions cannot be accepted.
NASA provides a wealth of resources to support innovators through every step of the process.
Participants can browse the NASA Technology Transfer Program’s public database, which offers detailed descriptions, patent numbers, and potential applications for thousands of technologies.
The How to License Technology from NASA Guide walks participants through the process of obtaining a research, evaluation, or commercial license to further develop and market NASA technologies.
The NASA Spinoff website offers real-world examples of how NASA innovations have already been adapted for use in industries like healthcare, environmental management, consumer electronics, and transportation.
Join the challenge’s Slack community to receive announcements, ask questions, and connect with other participants. You can also reach out directly to the challenge team via info@NASAPatentRemixChallenge.org.
NASA’s mission has always been about more than exploring the cosmos—it’s about using knowledge and technology to improve life on Earth. The NASA Patent Remix Challenge reflects that philosophy by democratizing access to space innovations and empowering individuals to shape the next generation of technology-driven solutions.
By encouraging participants to apply NASA’s patents in creative and commercially viable ways, this initiative contributes to:
The challenge serves as a reminder that the spirit of exploration doesn’t end in space—it begins there. Every NASA patent holds the potential to spark innovation, create businesses, and inspire breakthroughs that serve humanity.
The NASA Patent Remix Challenge is a call to innovators everywhere: take the technologies that once reached for the stars, and use them to build a better world. By combining NASA’s legacy of invention with the creativity of today’s thinkers, the challenge aims to unlock new frontiers—not in space, but right here on Earth.
Whether you’re a student, entrepreneur, or scientist, this is your chance to turn inspiration into impact. Explore NASA’s innovations, remix them for modern challenges, and share your vision for the future.
The universe of innovation is waiting—what will you create?
Learn more and register today: NASA Patent Remix Challenge – technology.nasa.gov
Contact: info@NASAPatentRemixChallenge.or
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