2017 eXploration Habitat (X-Hab) Academic Innovation Challenge

NASA is seeking university teams to develop innovative design solutions for deep space human exploration systems in the 2017 eXploration Systems and Habitation Academic Innovation Challenge. This year, the X-Hab Challenge scope is being formally extended not only to include habitation topics but other areas of exploration systems as well. Topic areas include in-space recycling/reclamation, quantification of condensed water on the lunar surface, a wastewater to plant nutrient solution, a microgravity plant-watering system and a microgravity food production system.

The winners of the challenge will receive between $10,000 and $30,000 to design and produce functional products of interest to NASA human spaceflight. Proposals are due April 29, 2016, and awardees will follow a tailored systems-engineering process with the completion of the projects in the May 2017 timeframe.

Proposals will be accepted from university faculty who are U.S. citizens and who teach at an accredited university in the U.S. Eligible educators must be teaching a senior or graduate engineering design, industrial design or architecture curriculum that is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.

Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges and other minority-serving educational institutions are particularly encouraged to apply. Proposals from women, members of underrepresented minority groups and persons with disabilities also are highly encouraged.

For more information about the challenge and how to submit a proposal, visit http://spacegrant.org/xhab/.

Please email questions about the X-Hab Challenge to xhab@spacegrant.org.