National College of Ireland will once again be hosting the NASA International Space Apps Challenge. After serving as the Dublin Mission Control Centre in 2023 and 2024, NCI is proud to have once again been chosen to host the world’s largest annual hackathon.

This year’s theme is “LEARN, LAUNCH, LEAD!”

When: October 4th & 5th
Time: 9am - 9pm
Where: NCI Campus, Mayor Square, Dublin 1
Cost: Free
Further information: events@ncirl.ie

The 2025 theme highlights what we hope participants will do during the hackathon as this event will encourage them to learn more about the skills they need to pursue STEM in the future. Not a techie? Teams also require communicators, designers and entrepreneurs! This hackathon is an excellent event that is suited to all interests and skillsets, as all participants will learn how to apply their unique skills to real world challenges.  

We hope that the creative, collaborative environment will give participants the confidence needed to speak up and be unafraid to launch their ideas. Their ideas, passion, creativity, and their projects may go on to transform NASA’s open data into actionable tools, as well as launching their own future career paths and further study areas.  

Past participants have often spoken about how the skills they developed during the hackathon still serve them well years later in various fields. Alongside learning, building confidence, and connecting with peers and mentors, we hope that the participants will walk away from this year’s hackathon feeling proud that they are part of a broad team of researchers and students who are leading communities in driving innovation. 

Last year, over ninety-three thousand participants registered to take part in the 2024 Space Apps Challenge from over 163 countries and territories. Events like this allow for a brilliant, inventive, and collaborative atmosphere to come alive on campus, so make sure you register to attend on October 4th and 5th, 2025, as this is an event you will not want to miss.   

How to Register

You can register for this event by visiting NASA Space Apps Challenge.

Please note that data is not collected, stored, or managed by National College of Ireland.  

Further Information

If you're curious about the NASA Space Apps Challenge, be sure to read "To The Moon and Back: Lian's NASA Space Apps Challenge Experience". In this blog, UCD second-year undergraduate Lian Fernandes shares her journey and insights from participating in the global event.