Are you interested in hosting a data science hackathon in your local region?

Hack4dev invites interested groups to apply to Stage 1 of its Data Science Hackathon Cascade Programme (DSH-CP). Selected teams will

a) receive training on how to run a hackathon through an Organisers Hackathon, and
b) be supported to host a hackathon at your home institute.

The Organisers Hackathon for organisers will take place in Cape Town, South Africa, in May 2026. Continue reading to learn more about the call.

1. Introduction

After the success of the 2024–2025 DSH-CP, Hack4dev is pleased to announce the launch of its second cycle, running in 2025–2026.
The first cycle brought together more than 150 participants across 12 countries in 13 regional hackathons worldwide. Building on this momentum, the upcoming cycle aims to grow even further, with an expanded network of coordinated hackathons across the globe.

The DSHP is structured in two stages. For full details, please visit (link), but in brief:

Stage 1: Organisers Hackathon (OH)
A four-day event in which regional organisers gain first-hand experience in both the logistical and technical aspects of running a data science hackathon.
Stage 2: Regional Hackathons (RH)
Organisers then host hackathons at their own institutions, all focused on the same challenge. This creates opportunities for global participation and allows results to be compared across regions.

2. Key Dates

For Organisers Hackathon (OH):

Applications Open: 1 Oct – 10 Nov 2025 (extended)
Results Announcement: 17 Dec 2025
Organisers Hackathon Event: May 2026

For Regional Hackathons (RH):

Regional Organisers issue Call for Hackathon Participants Across All Regions: June 2026
Regional Hackathons Hosting Period: August – October 2026 (exact timing to be determined)

3. This Call is for Stage 1: Organisers

This call specifically invites applications for the Organisers Hackathon (OH).
Selected organisers will then be supported by Hack4dev to implement Regional Hackathons in their own institutions during Stage 2 of the programme.

4. Who should apply

We are looking for dynamic teams with a mix of data science knowledge and event organisation skills. Applicants should have the motivation and capacity to dedicate time and energy to running a hackathon. We welcome applications from post-graduate students and others with the skills and commitment to lead successfully.

5. What is required to apply?

A dedicated team of organisers, with a designated team leader responsible for the application.
Availability of a suitable venue to host the Regional Hackathon.

6. Eligibility

Applicants must meet the following:

Team Lead
- Skill Set: The team lead must have strong knowledge in both data science and event organisation.
- Commitment: Must take a leading role in executing the regional hackathon, including but not limited to coordination, communication, and timely delivery of all activities.
Teams must consist of 3–5 committed members. As a group, they should demonstrate a mix of experience in:
- Event organisation (including communication, logistics, etc.), and
- Data science (either through work or research experience)
Local Recruitment Capacity: Teams should be able to recruit participants from their own and nearby institutions, ensuring that all participants at least have strong Python skills. Further details about the Regional Hackathon eligibility will be shared at a later stage.
Organisers Hackathon Participation: At least one member (preferably the team leader) from each accepted team is required to attend the Hack4dev Organisers Hackathon event in person, hosted in Cape Town, South Africa, with the remaining team members participating online.
Hackathon Execution: All teams must commit to organising Regional Hackathons at their institutions within the suggested time frame of August – October 2026
Code of Conduct: Adherence to the HACKATHON CODE OF CONDUCT is mandatory, ensuring a respectful, inclusive, and productive environment for all participants.
Venue: Teams must secure a suitable venue at their own institution to host the hackathon. The venue should provide the essential requirements for a smooth event, including a reliable electricity supply with enough sockets, a stable and reasonably fast internet connection (minimum of 4 Mbps), adequate seating and workspace for all participants, and a quiet, safe environment that supports focused collaboration. The venue must have the capacity to accommodate at least 25 participants.
Participant Equipment: For Regional Hackathons, participants are expected to bring their own laptops to access the cloud computing infrastructure, especially in venues not equipped with computers.
Global Participation: The call is open to teams worldwide. Regardless of your location, we encourage you to apply if you have the skills and the drive.
Gender Balance: In cases of tied scores within one standard deviation, and within the same country, preference will be given to the application that helps improve overall gender balance among team leads, provided that all teams meet the minimum eligibility and quality requirements.

Limitations and Funding:

Regional Hackathon Costs: Regional hackathons are designed to be easy to implement and low-cost, enabling them to reach a broader community. Therefore, no accommodation or transport fees will be encouraged. All participants should be able to commute daily to and from the regional hackathon venue.
Participant Cap for Regional Hackathons: Teams should aim for a minimum of 25 participants per hackathon.
Financial Support: Teams are encouraged to find local funding to organise the Regional Hackathon (approximately 60,000 ZAR) and cover travel and participation in the Organisers’ Hackathon.
Hack4dev has limited funding available and will aim to raise additional funds. Depending on the outcome, selected teams may receive either a partial grant of up to 15,000 ZAR or a full grant covering both travel to the Organisers Hackathon and Regional Hackathon expenses.
Hackathon organiser roles are voluntary. Applicants should note that there is no compensation or stipend provided for organising a hackathon.

7. Selection Framework

Selection Criterion	Corresponding Questions in the Application Form	Scoring Guideline
Team Composition and Experience	Questions regarding the team lead and the team (2k, 4a-4e)	12
Motivation and Impact	Questions regarding the Team’s motivation and impact (5a-5c)	6
Implementation Plan	Questions regarding communication and venue (3d-3f)	6
Budget and Financial Summary	Projected Budget (6c)	2

8. Support and Resources for Selected Teams

Selected Teams Will Receive:

Capacity Building: Opportunities to strengthen and expand data science skills within their own region.
Training and Guidance: Ongoing support from the Hack4dev team on both operational aspects and the hackathon challenge, provided before, during, and after the Organisers Hackathon to ensure the successful delivery of each Regional Hackathon.
Practical Resources: Access to explanatory notebooks and a real-world research project, designed in collaboration with field experts, which will serve as the challenge for the next round of Regional Hackathons.
Cloud Computing Support: Access to high-performance computational resources to enable both organisers and Regional Hackathon participants to develop, test, and run their solutions effectively.
Research Contribution: Organisers who actively work on the real-world challenge and submit solutions during the Organisers Hackathon as part of a team will be considered for co-authorship in the upcoming Hackathon Data Science Paper.
Hack4dev Regional Nodes: Outstanding teams from the Regional Hackathons may be invited to form official Hack4dev Regional Nodes. These nodes will serve as local hubs to continue developing skills, advancing innovations, and supporting future hackathon activities in their regions.
Recognition and Awards: Entry into a prize for the best organising team across all Regional Hackathons, celebrating excellence in organisation and impact.

Applications Closed