Grant opportunity
NASA TechLeap Prize: Robotically Manipulated Payload Challenge
NASA is challenging teams to develop payloads that can be manipulated by a robotic arm in low Earth orbit and demonstrated on the Fly Foundational Robots platform.
- Funder
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
- Registration closed 29 July 2026; complete applications close 12 August 2026
- Registration closed 29 July 2026; complete applications close 12 August 2026: Aug 12, 2026
- Award
- Up to three winners may receive up to USD 500,000 each plus an intended in-orbit flight demonstration at no additional cost
- Applicant
- U.S.-eligible teams able to design and build a flight-ready payload for robotic manipulation in low Earth orbit. Applicants should review the official challenge rules for citizenship, entity and team requirements.
- Discipline
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
- Region
- United States
- Posted
- Jul 30, 2026
Call summary
Overview
The fifth NASA TechLeap Prize supports rapid development of payloads for in-space servicing, assembly and manufacturing infrastructure.
Who can apply
Only teams that completed the required registration by 29 July can submit the final application. The official challenge site contains the controlling eligibility and technical rules.
What it supports
- Payloads designed for manipulation by a robotic arm in low Earth orbit.
- Persistent infrastructure for in-space servicing, assembly and manufacturing.
- Rapid progression from concept to a flight-ready payload.
Funding and duration
- Up to three teams may receive up to USD 500,000 across three phases.
- NASA intends to provide an orbital demonstration opportunity at no additional cost.
- The challenge moves from ideation to payload build over about 12 months.
Registration closed 29 July 2026; complete applications close 12 August 2026
Registration closed 29 July 2026; complete applications close 12 August 2026: Aug 12, 2026
How to apply
Registered teams should complete the official challenge application by 12 August 2026 and follow all technical and submission rules on the NASA TechLeap site.
Call details
Source-based overview
NASA Flight Opportunities invites registered applicants to propose a payload that can be manipulated robotically in orbit. Winning teams will receive staged prize support to build flight-ready hardware and are expected to demonstrate their payloads after rendezvous with the Fly Foundational Robots platform.
Eligibility
Only teams that completed the required registration by 29 July can submit the final application. The official challenge site contains the controlling eligibility and technical rules.
Funding and benefits
Up to three teams may receive up to USD 500,000 across three phases.
NASA intends to provide an orbital demonstration opportunity at no additional cost.
The challenge moves from ideation to payload build over about 12 months.
Themes and supported activities
Payloads designed for manipulation by a robotic arm in low Earth orbit.
Persistent infrastructure for in-space servicing, assembly and manufacturing.
Rapid progression from concept to a flight-ready payload.
Deadline and timeline
Registration closed 29 July 2026; complete applications close 12 August 2026: Registration closed 29 July 2026; complete applications close 12 August 2026: Aug 12, 2026.
Applicants should confirm the exact deadline time, time zone, required documents, portal steps and any institutional approvals on the official call page before submitting.
How to apply
Registered teams should complete the official challenge application by 12 August 2026 and follow all technical and submission rules on the NASA TechLeap site.
Before applying, check eligibility rules, budgets, attachments, page limits, partner requirements, cost-share conditions and whether the opportunity uses an expression of interest, full proposal, registration or nomination stage.