Space-Edge 25/26

Cohort 2: Advanced Materials & Manufacturing

Applications are now open! Apply by November 14, 2025.

Apply Now

New to Space‑Edge?

If you’re just learning about the program, we recommend starting with the homepage overview to see what Space‑Edge is, who it’s for, and why space matters.

This page includes details specific to the 2025–26 cohort.

program at a Glance

  • Format: 12-week hybrid program

  • Schedule: January–April 2026

  • Time Commitment: ~5 hours/week

  • Cost: Free to participate (no equity or fees)

  • Delivery: Primarily virtual, with optional in-person activities at regional hubs

2025–26 Theme: Advanced Materials and Manufacturing

For 2026, our focus will be advanced materials and manufacturing.

Space environments—featuring microgravity, thermal extremes, and vacuum—create unprecedented opportunities not only to discover novel material properties, but also to transform how materials and products are made. We aim to support innovations across:

  • Biomedical polymers and regeneratively printed tissues

  • Durable composites and coatings

  • Smart fabrics and responsive materials

  • Advanced semiconductor and energy substrates

  • In-space manufacturing processes uniquely enabled by space conditions

If your innovation involves developing, manufacturing, and testing novel materials, or pioneering in-space manufacturing processes, we’ll help you strategically explore the potential of space to advance your work.

Pre-Application Information Session

We recommend that all applicants watch the recording of our pre-application information session before submitting an application.

The info session was hosted online on October 22, 2025 at 6:30pm ET / 3:30pm PT.

Watch Now

Program timeline

October 15, 2025
 2026 Cohort Applications Open
October 22, 2025
 Pre-Application Information Session
November 14, 2025
 Application Deadline
December 1–5, 2025
 Decisions Sent to Applicants
January 12, 2026
 Program Kick-Off
March 7–20, 2026
 Spring Break
April 10, 2026
 End of Program
April 21, 2026 Virtual Showcase

Eligibility & Hub Requirements

To ensure clarity and alignment with Space‑Edge objectives, applicants must meet both general eligibility criteria and regional hub-specific conditions.

General Eligibility

Applicants must:

  • Be leading a startup, applied research effort, or established venture with real work already underway

  • Be new to the space sector, with interest in exploring its relevance

  • Be based in the U.S. or operating within the U.S. innovation ecosystem

  • Be able to commit 3–5 hours per week during the 12-week program

  • Be prepared to develop a space-enabled strategy tailored to your innovation (not to form a new venture from scratch)

  • Have work that aligns with the 2025–26 cohort theme of advanced materials and manufacturing—this may include development, use, or testing of innovative materials in any sector (e.g. biomedical, energy, manufacturing, sustainability, etc.)

Regional Hub Requirements

Participation is contingent upon affiliation with one of our regional hubs. Each hub provides localized support and may impose additional eligibility criteria, such as geographic limitations, as outlined below.

  • Arizona State University: Applicants must maintain a principal place of business in Arizona or demonstrate significant operations within the state.

  • Rice University: Applications are by invitation only. Applicants must be based in Texas and invited by Rice University to apply.

  • University of Central Florida: Applicants must be affiliated with the University of Central Florida (UCF) or a technology company that is registered to conduct business in the state of Florida.

  • Vanderbilt University: Applicants must be based in the Mid-South Region or have a Vanderbilt affiliation, including alumni.

Participants in Space‑Edge learn directly from a cross-sector network of instructors and mentors with deep expertise in space technology, advanced materials, manufacturing, and venture development.

The 2025–26 cohort will engage with experts including:

Meet the Experts