The Congressional App Challenge gives middle and high school students across the U.S. the chance to build apps in any programming language or platform. Whether you’re a seasoned coder or just starting out – this is your moment.
What’s Allowed
- Languages & Platforms: Anything goes. From C, C++, JavaScript, Python, Ruby to block-based coding. Platforms could be PC, mobile, tablet, web, robots – you name it. No restrictions on theme or topic.
- Team or Solo: You can enter as an individual or form a team of up to four students.
Who’s Eligible
- You must be a middle or high school student at the time you submit your app.
- All team members must be U.S. residents when they submit. However, citizenship is not required.
- If you’re part of a team: at least half of the teammates must be eligible in the district in which you submit. This means they either live there or attend school there.
- You may submit in the district where you reside or where you attend school.
Key Dates (2025)
- January 1: Student pre-registration opens
- May 1: Official launch of the challenge
- October 30: Deadline to register and submit your app online
- November: Judges review submissions
- December: Winners are announced
Tips for Success
- Start Early – Even though the deadline is in late October, giving yourself plenty of time means more opportunity to debug, test, and polish.
- Pick a Platform You’re Comfortable With, but don’t be afraid to try something new. The rules encourage creativity and exploration.
- Team Wisely – A diverse set of skills helps: someone strong in design, another in logic/code, maybe someone good with presentations or visuals.
- Document & Test – Make sure your code is documented, your app is tested on all intended devices or browsers, and that you’ve ironed out major bugs.
- Stay Within Their Eligibility Rules – Double-check residency/school district eligibility, team size, etc., so your work isn’t disqualified on a technicality.