Space competition for secondary school students: win a place at the United Space School in Houston (applications close 8 October)

Could your creative solution to a space challenge take you to Houston next summer? Countdown to Houston is a free competition organised by the University of Twente’s Pre-U programme in cooperation with the United Space School.

The competition is open to students in 4–6 vwo and 4–5 havo. Participants work independently on a real space challenge, using their creativity, design and research skills. Extensive space knowledge is not required: the focus is on how you approach a problem and develop your solution.

Ten finalists will present their work to an expert jury on 12 February 2027. Two winners will earn a place at the United Space School in Houston in summer 2027, taking part in an international programme with 50 students from 25 countries.

How to apply

Submit a motivation letter of no more than one A4 page through the registration website by 8 October 2026. After the deadline, applicants will receive the preliminary assignment, which must be submitted by 23 November 2026.

The ten selected finalists will be notified by 11 December 2026 and receive a final assignment to prepare ahead of the February final.

Age requirement: participants must be at least 15 years old at the time of the trip, which runs from 17 July to 2 August 2027.

Please note: the information and registration website are in Dutch. Finalists must submit a report in Dutch and a video in English with English subtitles.

Learn more and register on the University of Twente website