Expert Overview

Genes in Space is a national competition, founded in 2015 by Boeing and the lab-equipment company miniPCR bio, in which U.S. students in grades 7–12 propose a genetics-based space biology experiment. The winning proposal is flown to the International Space Station and performed by an astronaut.

Format

Individual, Team

Judging Format

Jurors, Criteria based: Creative and scientific merit of the experimental idea, judged by a panel of scientists and thought leaders, Scoring Criteria: Submissions are reviewed blindly by a panel of Ph. D.-trained scientists and experienced space technologists, scored on criteria like identifying an interesting question, stating a clear hypothesis, requiring the unique environment of the ISS, and creative use of PCR in space

Opportunity

Grade Eligibility

Rising Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors

Geographic Eligibility

U.S.

Discipline

BiotechnologySpace BiologyMolecular BiologyGenetics

Entries

759 Teams

Percent Awarded

< 1%

Important Dates

2027 Application Announced

Around December 15, 2026

Application opens

January 2027

Submission deadline

April 2027

Passed

Open

Approaching: < 1 mo.

Priority: < 2 weeks

Urgent: < 1 week

Registration Cost

No entry fee

About

Individuals or pairs, with an adult sponsor, submit one proposal each year: a testable question with a molecular or genetic basis and an approach that uses the program’s toolkit. No lab experience is required, and AI tools may not be used to generate ideas or write the proposal. Twenty-five awards are given each cycle, and five finalists receive mentoring and present to judges in Houston; finalist schools also receive miniPCR equipment.

The 2026 round drew 980 proposals from 1,317 students at 369 schools. Reaching the five finalists, about one in 200 proposals, is the credential that separates a student from the field, and the winning experiment is the only one flown. The lower awards recognize a strong idea but not a finalist presentation, so they should be described as what they are.

Genes in Space is the right competition for a student who can pose a testable biology question and wants to defend it to scientists, with no lab access needed and a real flight opportunity at the top.