LA Hacks is UCLA’s annual student hackathon, run by a volunteer, student-organised 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Over 36 hours, 1,000+ students build software, hardware or AI projects with workshops and mentors from industry.
The 15th edition takes place at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles in mid-April 2027; exact dates and the application deadline are not yet published.
Benefits & funding
- Free to attend; hardware, cloud APIs and other tools are provided at no cost.
- $60,000 in prizes across tracks.
- Round-the-clock help from 50+ mentors, founders and engineers, plus workshops and beginner tracks.
- The site lists a travel reimbursement FAQ, but its terms are not shown publicly; check before booking.
Eligibility
- College students of any skill level and any major, from first-time hackers to experienced coders.
- Motivated high school students may also apply.
- No nationality bar is stated; participants come from around the world, but attendance is in person in Los Angeles.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Education required
High School · Bachelor Enrolled · Master Enrolled · PhD Enrolled
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Application process
- 1Apply as a hacker through the LA Hacks portal (apply.lahacks.com); attendees are selected.
- 2If accepted, attend in person at UCLA and build a project over the 36 hours.
Program timeline
Mid-April 2027
LA Hacks 2027, Pauley Pavilion, UCLA (exact dates and deadline TBA)