Application Deadline: 8 December 2024.

Applications are now open for the 2025 United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) Space4Youth Competition. The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC) are thrilled to announce the sixth edition of the Space4Youth Competition. The authors of the best 5 essays will be provided with a trip to the United States to meet with representatives of the U.S. space sector and attend an Adult Space Camp at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama.

Eligibility criteria

Priority will be given to participants from developing countries.

• The competition is open to all students and young professionals from any Member State of the United Nations.
• All participants shall be of the age between 18 and 35 inclusive (up to the day of their 36th birthday) on 28 February 2025.
• The competition is open to individuals – no team submissions are allowed.
• Competition organizers and judges are not eligible for the competition.
• The United Nations encourages all qualified applicants, regardless of gender, disability, sexual orientation, cultural or religious backgrounds, to apply.

Topic of the competition  

“Empowering Youth for the Future of Space: Inclusive Opportunities, Skills Development, and Accessible Pathways”

This year’s theme asks young participants to propose ideas that could lead to:

• Better access to space-related opportunities, be they in education, training, internships or employment for young people from all backgrounds, especially in underrepresented regions.
• Partnerships and programs that could inspire, train, and equip young professionals to enter the fast-evolving space sector.
• Policy recommendations that promote inclusivity across all nations, backgrounds and economic circumstances and support emerging young professionals in the space industry.

Award

• The U.S. Mission to International Organizations in Vienna will support this year’s Space4Youth competition by providing the authors of the best 5 essays with a trip to the United States to meet with representatives of the U.S. space sector and attend an Adult Space Camp at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama.*
• The 5 best essays will be uploaded on the UNOOSA “Space for Youth” webpage.
• The authors of the best 5 essays may be invited to attend other international events.

* Confirmation and satisfaction of U.S. visa approval will be required. Expenses will be covered by the U.S. Mission to the International Organizations in Vienna.

How to Apply

The competition is structured in 2 phases:  

1. Applicants submit an abstract of maximum 100 words and fill in the online application form here by 8 December 2024.
2. If the abstract is positively evaluated, the applicant will be asked to submit an essay of maximum 1,000 words, to be based on the previously submitted abstract.

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) Space4Youth Competition