Rules & Eligibility
Thank you for your interest in the NASA Space Tech Catalyst Prize (the "Competition"). The Competition is sponsored by NASA with platform support provided by Ensemble Government Services, LLC. Please review the rules and eligibility to ensure that you meet all the necessary guidelines before submitting your entry. Please read the rules and the terms carefully, as they describe the conditions under which you are eligible to participate. Please know that by participating in this Competition and in accordance with these Rules, you are eligible to receive various forms of recognition and a possible award from NASA of up to $25,000 as a Winner.
Individuals and teams are responsible for understanding and complying with all Competition rules and requirements as stated below and detailed in the Eligibility Requirements Document. The following sections below summarize key elements of the Eligibility Requirements Document.
NASA welcomes applications from individuals, teams, and organization or entities that have a recognized legal existence and structure under applicable U.S. law and that are in good standing in the jurisdiction under which they are organized with the following restrictions:
- Individuals must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United States and be 18 years of age or older.
- Organizations must be an entity incorporated in and maintaining a primary place of business in the United States.
- Teams must be comprised of otherwise eligible individuals or organizations and led by a U.S Citizen or permanent resident of the United States who is 18 years of age or older.
U.S. government employees may participate so long as they are not acting within the scope of their position, rely on no facilities, access, personnel, knowledge, or other resources that are available to them as a result of their employment except for those resources made available to all other participants on an equal basis.
U.S. government employees participating as individuals, or who submit applications on behalf of an otherwise eligible organization, will be responsible for ensuring that their participation in the Competition is permitted by the rules and regulations relevant to their position and that they have obtained any authorization that may be required by virtue of their government position. Failure to do so may result in the disqualification of them individually or of the entity which they represent or in which they are involved.
Foreign citizens may only participate as (i) employees of an otherwise eligible U.S. entity who reside in the U.S., (ii) full-time students at an otherwise eligible U.S. university or college who reside in the U.S., or (iii) owners of less than 50% of the interests in an otherwise eligible U.S. entity who reside in the U.S.
Registered competitors shall be responsible for the actions of and compliance with the rules by their employees, subcontractors, officers, owners, and other affiliated persons.
Federal entities or Federal employees acting within the scope of their employment. Employees of NASA, Ensemble, and any of their subsidiaries and affiliates, as well as immediate family members or persons living in the same households of such employees.
If you or your employer is receiving Government funding for similar projects you or your employer are not eligible for an award under this Competition.
If a team of individuals and/or entities is selected as a Winner, any Award will be made to the person who registered the team and submitted the application. That person is responsible for ensuring the award funds are appropriately distributed to each member of the team.
If an organization is selected as a Winner, any Award will be made to the organization who registered and submitted the application. The authorized representative of the organization must provide the appropriate information for payment of the award.
Each application should reflect the anticipated ownership, use, and licensing of any intellectual property. You represent and warrant that your Entry is an original work created solely by You, that You own all Intellectual Property in and to the Entry, and that no other party has any right, title, claim or interest in the Entry, except as expressly identified by You to us in writing in Your application. You retain all rights, title and interest in any inventions, software or work of authorship You invent or create. The ownership and use of intellectual property arising from this competition remains with You.
Each applicant agrees to assume any and all risks and waives claims against Ensemble Government Services LLC and the U.S. Government and its related entities, except in the case of willful misconduct, for any injury, death, damage, or loss of property, revenue, or profits, whether direct, indirect, or consequential, arising from each team member’s participation in the competition, whether such injury, death, damage, or loss arises through negligence or otherwise. For the purposes of this Indemnification paragraph, the term “related entity” means a contractor or subcontractor at any tier, and a supplier, user, customer, cooperating party, grantee, investigator, or detailee.
Participants may not use the name, trademark or insignia of Ensemble Government Services LLC, its contractors, collaborators, or NASA on its hardware and printed materials related to the participation of Participant in the Space Tech Catalyst Prize without prior written consent from Ensemble Government Services LLC, its contractors, collaborators, or NASA, whichever Party is applicable. Participant agrees that unauthorized use of such names, trademarks and insignias shall result in elimination from participation in the competition if Participant continues unauthorized use after being notified to cease and desist by Ensemble Government Services LLC or NASA as applicable.
Participant retains all media rights related to the story of its participation in the Competition.
Participant agrees that Ensemble Government Services LLC and NASA will retain all Media Rights related to the story of the Competition.
Each Participant agrees to let Ensemble Government Services LLC and NASA use the name of the Participant and the name and likeness of such Participant (without charge) in connection with the media material prepared and distributed by PARTNER and NASA relating in any way to the Competition.
Participant agrees to provide Ensemble Government Services LLC and NASA reasonable amounts of video footage or access for recording activities related to participation of Participant in the Competition and the right to use said footage for public affairs and/or educational purposes.
Participant agrees that its failure to furnish video footage or access for recording purposes based on Ensemble Government Services LLC’s reasonable requests may result in Participant’s removal from participation in the Competition.
NASA does not endorse or sponsor any commercial product, service, or activity. NASA’s participation in this AGREEMENT or provision of goods, services, facilities or equipment under this AGREEMENT does not constitute endorsement by NASA. Participants agree that nothing in this AGREEMENT will be construed to imply that NASA authorizes, supports, endorses, or sponsors any product or service of Participants resulting from activities conducted under this AGREEMENT, regardless of the fact that such product or service may employ NASA-developed technology.