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American Rocketry Challenge
Since 2002, the American Rocketry Challenge, the world’s largest student rocket competition, has engaged over 100,000 middle and high school students in model rocketry. The challenge provides a yearlong opportunity to gain hands-on engineering experience by designing, building, testing, and launching model rockets to meet rigorous requirements. The program fosters leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills as students deepen their interest and passion for aerospace and STEM.
To learn more about the American Rocketry Challenge - Click Here.
Registration Information
Application Stages:
1. Open an Account
Accounts will be reviewed and approved on an ongoing basis.
2. Create Team Application(s)
One per team of 3 -10 students.
3. Submit Team Registration(s) and Pay
$195 registration fee per team can be paid via credit card (stripe) or check. Deadline: December 6, 2026 at 11:59 pm Eastern Time.
4. Team Roster Changes and Qualification Flights
After registering and paying Team Rosters will remain editable and Qualification Flight Report Forms will appear.
5. Finalize Team Roster
Team Roster must be final prior to launching.
6. Launch Qualification Flights
7. Submit Qualification Flight Reports
Deadline April 4, 2027 at 11:59 pm Eastern Time
Process
Only Adult Team Advisors (adult teachers / team supervisors) may open accounts in this system and start applications for ARC 2027. Student team members should ask their supervising adult to open an account. Once the account has been created and an application started, the Adult Team Advisor will be able to add student team members as collaborators.
Adult Team Advisor Information (Teacher or Supervisor)
You, the Adult Team Advisor, must be vetted and approved by the Host School or Host Organization to work with the students on the team and carry out all team activities.
1. Register
Click on the "Register" link and complete and submit the registration form.
2. Login
Login to the award with your email and password.
3. Create
Create your online application.
4. Save
During the Call for Applications period, your application can be saved as DRAFT until all the required information is completed and attachments uploaded. As each section is complete, you will see a 
appear in the category tab when the application is saved. At any time, you can download and print your application by clicking on the 
icon in the Application Summary section.
5. Submit
On completion, save your Application as FINAL. Download and print a copy of your application for your records by clicking on the icon in the Application Summary section in the right column. Note: If an update is required prior to the Call for Applications period, you can make the update and resave as FINAL.
5. Payment
Once, you have submitted as FINAL, you will be prompted to make a payment for the application. Please follow the instructions on the payment portal to complete your application.
If you require assistance or additional information, please contact the Program Administrator.
Key Dates
Application Open:
July 15, 2026
Registration Deadline:
December 6, 2026
Qualification Flight Report Deadline:
April 4, 2027
National Finals:
May 15, 2027
Contact Us
Aerospace Industries Association1100 Wilson Blvd., Suite 2600
Arlington, VA 22209-3928
Email: rocketrychallenge@aia-aerospace.org
