JavaScript has not runIf it is turned off or blocked, everything about the event is on this page. If the site is still loading, it will appear in a moment.
Global Virtual Hackathon 2026
A free, international hackathon for students aged 14 to 18, hosted by Canadian International School, Singapore. It runs entirely online, with each team together in one room for the recorded interview.
What it is
Teams of two to four students build a working project under a sealed challenge that is revealed only at the opening ceremony, so no one can pre-build. They then defend it: first a personalised, on-camera question-and-answer round about their own code, and, for finalists, a live interview with the judges. Building with AI tools is allowed, but every team must understand and be able to explain its own work.
How it works
- Sealed challenge. The theme is announced ahead of time; the specific challenge is revealed at the opening ceremony.
- Round 1, the project. A working project, a public source-code repository, a written project page, and a short demo video.
- Round 2, the personalised interview. A recorded, on-camera round where each team answers questions generated from its own codebase, to confirm genuine understanding and authorship.
- Round 3, the live interview. Finalists meet the judges live.
- Judging is by human judges, within each age division. It is assisted by automated tools, but every decision is made by people.
Key facts
- Cost: free to enter.
- Who: students aged 14 to 18, any school worldwide, in teams of two to four.
- Divisions: Junior (ages 14 to 15) and Senior (ages 16 to 18), judged separately.
- Prize: $1,000 USD first place, plus two $250 USD runner-up prizes, per division (six cash prizes across the two divisions). All amounts in US dollars.
- Dates: registration 22 September to 13 November 2026; challenge revealed 19 November; submissions close 23:59 AoE on 25 November; judging 26 November to 8 December; closing ceremony and results 9 December 2026.
- Supervising teacher: every team names a teacher at a member's school, who confirms the team.
How to register
Registration opens on this site (with JavaScript enabled) on 22 September 2026. A team registers once under one shared account, lists its two to four members, and names a supervising teacher, who must confirm the team. A parent or guardian must give consent for every member before the team takes part.
Legal and safeguarding
Full documents (these links open in the interactive site): Terms of Participation, Privacy Policy, Code of Conduct, Safeguarding Statement, Parental/Guardian Consent, and Supervising Teacher Agreement.
In short: a parent or guardian must give signed consent for every member, including any member who is already 18, and a supervising teacher confirms each team, uploads the signed consents and keeps a copy. Participants keep ownership of their work; the organiser is granted a licence only to run, judge, and promote the event. The Round 2 interview is recorded.
Contact
Organisers: organisers@gvhackathon.com