Free global hackathon where teams use NASA's open data to tackle real-world challenges, with local in-person and fully virtual participation options.
Details: Long-running annual NASA event; the specific page sections retrieved didn't use the word "free" outright, but multiple independent write-ups this cycle describe it explicitly as a free, worldwide hackathon with no entry fee.
NASA's official Pathways program: paid internships, recent-graduate placements and fellowships across every NASA centre, with conversion to permanent federal roles for students who complete the program.
From the site: Spring 2027 Pathways Internship applications will open on September 21, 2026, and close on September 25, 2026. Spring 2027 internships will begin January 25,
Why I recommend it: Federal hiring runs on its own calendar — Pathways openings post on USAJOBS in short windows, so check this page monthly rather than once.
