The NEXPLORE 2040 Horizons Challenge isn’t just a competition—it’s your chance to help build a path to 2040.
Hosted by xFoundry in collaboration with NASA, this nationwide challenge invites university teams to reimagine NASA’s goals and pitch compelling problem areas that have the potential to launch game-changing enterprises by 2027.
This is more than a pitch—it’s the start of a journey. Together, we’ll identify the pressing challenges shaping our world today, laying the groundwork for innovations that will fuel exploration by 2040 and beyond.
To be eligible for the Horizons Challenge, teams must meet the criteria outlined below, ensuring a diverse mix of skills and perspectives to tackle global challenges. Teams must meet the criteria outlined below:
At least two team members
All members must be currently enrolled in a university or community college
If members are from both a university and community college, they must be in the same state
Members must be from at least two different TEAMS categories (Technology, Entrepreneurship, Arts & Athletics, Marketing, Science).
We harness cutting-edge technological tools to drive innovation. Our students have access to advanced AI resources, state-of-the-art hardware, and software toolkits that enable them to prototype and develop groundbreaking solutions.
By integrating technology into our approach, we empower students to tackle grand challenges with the most up-to-date tools available.
We cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset in our students, equipping them with the skills to turn ideas into impactful ventures.
Creativity and resiliency are essential for solving complex problems. We integrate arts to foster innovative thinking and leverage the mindset of athletes to build perseverance and teamwork.
Effective communication is crucial for any social impact initiative. Our marketing and creative services support students in developing compelling narratives for their projects.
By integrating scientific thinking across disciplines, we prepare students to develop robust, scalable solutions to grand challenges.
Submissions are evaluated across multiple metrics including quality, innovation, viability, and impact by experts from industry, NASA, and academia
Semifinalists will be invited to NEXPLORE to pitch their topics live to the summit audience.
A comprehensive analysis of the identified challenge, showcasing its local relevance and global potential.
A 5 minute presentation explaining the challenge, its importance, and alignment with NASA’s 2040 goals.
A text version of the video presentation for accessibility.
A visual summary of the key aspects of the pitch.
A short 2-3 minute documentary on the team and their story.