2026 Congressional App Challenge Opens For Students In NJ's 7th District

DISTRICT 7 — Middle and high school students in New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District can now enter the 2026 Congressional App Challenge, according to an announcement from Congressman Tom Kean Jr.

The competition is the official STEM challenge of the U.S. House of Representatives, and the submission portal is now open.

The Congressional App Challenge was officially launched by the U.S. House of Representatives in 2015.

The nationwide competition invites students to create an application for desktop or PC, web, tablet, mobile, Raspberry Pi or other devices. Students may use any programming language, including C, C++, Java, JavaScript, Python, Ruby or block code, on any platform.

To be eligible in New Jersey’s 7th District, students must be in middle school or high school and either attend school in the district or live there.

Students may compete individually or in teams of up to four. Each participant may submit only one app and may compete in only one district.

Students may register and submit their apps through Oct. 26, at 12 p.m.

The challenge is intended to promote innovation and engagement in computer science.

"I encourage any interested middle and high school students from NJ-07 to enter the Challenge," said Kean. "The Congressional App Challenge is a great opportunity for students to solve real-world issues and demonstrate their skills. Every year, I am impressed with the innovative and impactful apps that the students develop."

The winning app from New Jersey’s 7th District will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol and featured on the official House of Representatives website.

Winning students will also be invited to the #HouseofCode Capitol Hill Reception in Washington, D.C. Runners-up will also be selected for recognition.

More information is available at kean.house.gov/services/congressional-app-challenge-2026.

Students can register at congressionalappchallenge.us/students/student-registration.