NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge
Catalog organization: NASA Office of STEM Engagement and Marshall Space Flight Center
Compiled by: ExtracurricularHub Editorial Team — editorial policy
Last updated
What Is NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge?
NASA HERC is a nine-month engineering challenge in which selected school or institution teams design, build, test and operate either a human-powered or remote-controlled rover for simulated lunar terrain and mission tasks. The process mirrors NASA's engineering lifecycle through competitive proposal review, design and operational readiness reviews, safety analysis, testing and a final event at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville.
Eligibility is broader than the old record: U.S. and international middle schools, high schools, colleges and universities may propose, as may U.S. informal education institutions serving middle- or high-school students. NASA lists grades 6-12 plus higher education. Proposal selection is competitive, and every milestone must be passed to continue.
NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge Key Facts: Cost, Deadline, and Eligibility
| Cost | Varies — see Cost and funding |
|---|---|
| Format | Hybrid |
| Eligibility | Grades 6–12 |
| Application deadline | Applications closed |
| Listing last updated | August 30, 2026 |
Program details shown here reflect the current catalog record.
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How to Apply to NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge
Open the application for NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge