The 2026 Congressional App Challenge Powered By Roblox Launches Today!
WASHINGTON, DC — It’s here! Today, Congress officially launched the 2026 Congressional App Challenge powered by Roblox, opening the student application portal for middle and high school students across the country to begin building and submitting original apps.
The launch marks another major year for one of Congress’ largest and most widely supported bipartisan initiatives, and a continued investment in the students who will shape the future of American technology. Since the program began in 2015, more than 85,000 students have participated in the Congressional App Challenge powered by Roblox, building original apps that explore new ideas, solve real problems, and imagine what is possible for their communities and their country.
Momentum for the 2026 Challenge is already strong. More than 340 Members of Congress have committed to hosting district-wide App Challenges this year, ensuring that students from communities across the country have the opportunity to create, compete, and have their work recognized by their own Member of Congress.
At its core, the Congressional App Challenge powered by Roblox is about more than learning to code. It is about giving students a reason to believe that their ideas matter. Through the Challenge, middle and high school students are invited to build original apps that reflect their creativity, their lived experiences, and the problems they want to help solve. Each participating congressional office will host a local competition and select a winning app from its district. Winning students may have their work displayed in the U.S. Capitol and be invited to participate in national recognition opportunities.
“Today’s launch is a reminder of what happens when Congress opens a door for students and gives them the chance to build something of their own,” said Joe Alessi, Executive Director of the Congressional App Challenge powered by Roblox. “For more than a decade, this program has helped students see themselves not just as users of technology, but as creators, problem-solvers, and future leaders. With the support of Roblox and hundreds of congressional offices across the country, the 2026 Challenge will help even more students turn their ideas into something real.”
The 2026 Challenge continues under the leadership of bipartisan Congressional Co-chairs Rep. Brett Guthrie (KY-02) and Rep. Kim Schrier (WA-08), who are working together to expand access to computer science education and encourage students from every background to explore STEM and technology careers.
As one of Congress’ largest bipartisan initiatives, the Congressional App Challenge powered by Roblox reflects the best of what public service can make possible: a national platform that meets students where they are, encourages them to think boldly, and connects their work directly to the institutions shaping the country’s future. As participation continues to grow, the 2026 Challenge will once again highlight the creativity, curiosity, and civic spirit of students across the nation.
Behind the competition is a dedicated network of sponsors and partners who share a belief that the next generation of innovators deserves a national stage. Their support makes it possible to reach students in communities large and small, keep the competition accessible to all, and continue raising the bar for what young people can achieve when given the platform and the resources to succeed.
To learn more or register, visit www.CongressionalAppChallenge.us.