The NSRI Summer Research Hackathon is a global online competition in which students take a research question and turn it into an original project inside five days. It is run by the National Student Research Institution, a student-led research organisation fiscally sponsored by The Hack Foundation (d.b.a. Hack Club), a US 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Everything happens remotely, so participants join from wherever they live. The 2026 edition ran from 13 to 18 July, with entries spread across six research tracks covering computing, engineering, the physical and life sciences, the environment, and the social sciences and humanities.
Entries were screened against a 120-point rubric, the Top 100 went to expert review, and the Top 25 presented live at a Grand Finale on 25 July 2026. NSRI ran the 2026 edition with The Insilico Lab and YRI as partners.
Benefits & funding
- Prize pool of US$1,000 in the 2026 edition, paid to the top five: US$500 (1st), US$250 (2nd), US$125 (3rd), US$75 (4th) and US$50 (5th).
- The Top 100 entries are published and ranked on the hackathon site.
- The Top 25 present their work live to the judging panel at the Grand Finale.
- Finished projects sit in the NSRI 2026 research archive alongside the winning work.
- The official pages publish no entry terms for a future edition, including whether registration carries a fee.
Eligibility
- Open to student researchers anywhere in the world; the event runs fully online.
- No previous research experience is required, and no professor, laboratory or institutional connection is needed.
- Participants may enter on their own or as part of a team.
- Each entry goes to one of six tracks: AI, data science and computing; health and life sciences; engineering and technology; physical and chemical sciences; environmental and earth sciences; social sciences, humanities and policy.
- NSRI publishes no nationality, age or degree-level restriction.
Can you apply?
Open to all applicants
No nationality, residency, education, or experience limits are listed.
Circlebreaker is a free database of global fellowships, scholarships and programs — every one decoded like this.
We only check the criteria we have data for. Always confirm full eligibility on the official page before applying.
Application process
- 1Watch the hackathon site and the NSRI competitions page for the next call — the 2026 registration form is closed.
- 2Register through the form NSRI publishes for the edition; the 2026 edition used an online registration form.
- 3Choose one of the six research tracks, alone or with a team.
- 4Build the project during the five-day sprint and submit it before the sprint closes.
- 5Entries are screened on a 120-point rubric; the Top 100 move to expert review.
- 6The Top 25 present live at the Grand Finale, and final rankings follow.
Program timeline
Five-day sprint begins (registration closed before this date)
Jul 13, 2026
Sprint ends; projects submitted
Jul 18, 2026
Grand Finale; Top 25 present live
Jul 25, 2026
Final rankings and the Top 100 list are published
After Jul 25, 2026