Key facts
- Type
- Competition
- Provider
- Binnovative
- Deadline
- 9/12/2026
In short
AnimalHack 2026 is an online hackathon for students globally, challenging them to develop technology-based solutions for animal welfare and human-animal relationships, with opportunities for book publication.
AnimalHack 2026
By Binnovative
CompetitionAccepting applications nowApply by 9/12/202643 days left
Online
Format
Free
Entry Fee
Students globally
Who can participate
12 non-cash prizes
Total prizes
Book publication
Special opportunity
Beginner Friendly, Open Ended, Social Good
Themes
Overview
AnimalHack 2026 is an international, student-led online hackathon focused on animals, animal welfare, and human-animal relationships. This year marks a return of the event, building on the success of previous editions. Participants are invited to identify animal-related needs and challenges and develop creative, technology-based solutions. The hackathon is open to individuals and teams of all ages and technical backgrounds, including those with no prior hackathon experience. Projects can address a wide range of topics, from improving animal welfare and supporting pet owners to wildlife conservation and advancing sustainable food systems. Solutions may take various forms, such as apps, games, websites, devices, sensors, or data analysis tools. AnimalHack 2026 aims to foster innovation in the animal domain and provides a platform for participants to showcase their talents. Award recipients and other selected participants will have the unique opportunity to publish book chapters about their projects in the Binnovative Innovation Book series, offering a lasting impact beyond the competition. The event is supported by Binnovative, a nonprofit organization based in Massachusetts.
What to build
Participants must identify animal-related needs and challenges and develop a creative, technology-based solution. Projects can focus on various aspects such as improving animal welfare, supporting pet owners, animal behavior, shelter programs, lost pet reunification, environmental monitoring, animal agriculture, wildlife conservation, preventing animal abuse, accessibility for service animals, or public education. Solutions can include apps, games, social platforms, websites, devices, sensors, robots, computer vision, data analysis, predictive models, visualization, data collection/management, educational resources, and 3D modeling/printing.
Prizes
Grand Prize
Certificate of achievement, invitation to publish a book chapter about the project.
Non-cash
2nd Place
Certificate of achievement, invitation to publish a book chapter about the project.
Non-cash
3rd Place
Certificate of achievement, invitation to publish a book chapter about the project.
Non-cash
Honorable Mention
Certificate of achievement, invitation to publish a book chapter about the project (3 winners).
Non-cash
Excellence in Innovation Award
Certificate of achievement, invitation to publish a book chapter about the project.
Non-cash
Excellence in Research Award
Certificate of achievement, invitation to publish a book chapter about the project.
Non-cash
Excellence in Creativity Award
Certificate of achievement, invitation to publish a book chapter about the project.
Non-cash
Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award
Certificate of achievement, invitation to publish a book chapter about the project.
Non-cash
Excellence in Social Impact Award
Certificate of achievement, invitation to publish a book chapter about the project.
Non-cash
Excellence in Teamwork Award
Certificate of achievement, invitation to publish a book chapter about the project.
Non-cash
Emerging Talent Award
Certificate of achievement, invitation to publish a book chapter about the project.
Non-cash
Key Contributor Award
Certificate of achievement, invitation to publish a book chapter about the project.
Non-cash
Key dates
- Project submission deadlineSeptember 12, 2026 @ 12:00pm EDT
- Presentation registration deadlineSeptember 12, 2026 @ 12:00pm EDT
- Online project presentationsSeptember 13, 2026 EST
Eligibility
Participants must be above the legal age of majority in their country of residence and must be students. Companies and professional organizations are excluded from participation. The hackathon is open to participants from all countries/territories, excluding standard exceptions.
How to enter
- Join the hackathon on Devpost.
- Work on your project at any time before the deadline.
- Submit your project to Devpost by 12pm on September 12, 2026 EST.
- Register your project presentation through the designated Google Form (shared in Discord) by 12pm on September 12, 2026 EST.
- Deliver a project presentation online on September 13, 2026 EST.
Submission requirements
- Project submission on Devpost by 12pm on September 12, 2026 EST.
- Project presentation registration via Google Form by 12pm on September 12, 2026 EST, including presenter name, contact, country of residence, project title, abstract, and a publicly accessible link to the project.
- The project link must provide evidence of the project’s actual outcome, not just a description or proposal.
- Online project presentation on September 13, 2026 EST. Presentations will be 10 minutes, including approximately 3 minutes for Q&A.
Judging criteria
- Impact: How much impact (quality and quantity) can this project have? Does it solve a big problem or a small problem? Will it inspire or help many or a few?
- Creativity and innovation: How original is this project? Does it introduce a new idea, combine existing ideas in a creative way, or significantly improve an an existing solution?
- Execution: How successfully is the idea developed into a functional, demonstrable, or well-supported outcome?
- Presentation: How clearly and effectively did the participant or team explain the problem, the importance of the project, the proposed solution, and the project’s results?
Sponsors & partners
Binnovative