HackPSU Fall 2026

Overview

HackPSU Fall 2026 is Penn State's student-run hackathon and the largest technology event at the university. It gathers hundreds of students from around the world for 24 hours of innovation, creation, and fun. The event welcomes students of all skill levels, from seasoned coding veterans to first-time hackers across any major or field, providing technologically engaging challenges, professional networking opportunities, and educational resources. Participants can discover their ability to create change by developing technology to solve real-world problems through collaboration with peers and industry professionals. They will gain new technical skills by attending workshops and taking on various challenges. Throughout the event, games and performances are scheduled to provide breaks and entertainment, fostering a dynamic environment. HackPSU offers a valuable opportunity to meet new peers, network with sponsor companies, and have an engaging experience. It is beginner-friendly, focuses on education, and provides an open-ended theme, encouraging diverse projects and learning. Attendance is limited to applicants who have applied, been accepted, and RSVP'd yes to their invitation.

What to build

Participants are encouraged to work alone or in a team to build something awesome, applying technology to solve real-world problems. The theme is open-ended, allowing for a wide range of innovative projects.

Prizes

Key dates

• Hackathon DatesOctober 24 – 25, 2026
• Project Submission DeadlineOctober 25, 2026, 12:00 PM (noon)
• End of Hacking Time (for edits)October 25, 2026, 1:45 PM

Eligibility

Participation is open to college students aged 18 and above whose applications have been accepted. Participants must RSVP 'Yes' to their invitation. The hackathon accepts participants from all countries/territories, excluding standard exceptions.

How to enter

1. Submit an application to participate in HackPSU Fall 2026.
2. If accepted, RSVP 'Yes' to your invitation.
3. Join the hackathon by registering on Devpost.
4. Submit your project on Devpost by the deadline.

Submission requirements

• All projects must be submitted by 12:00 PM (noon) on Sunday, October 25th, 2026.
• Participants will have until 1:45 PM on Sunday to continue editing their submissions.
• A maximum 5-minute video of your project must be uploaded to your Devpost submission. The video should include a pitch explaining who you are, why you built it, how it was implemented, and future plans.
• All code written for the submission must be attached (preferably via a public GitHub repository).
• All team members must be listed on the submission.
• To be eligible for prizes, at least one team member must present the project at the judging exposition.
• Each team is only allowed to submit 1 project.
• Projects can be disqualified at the organizers' discretion for reasons such as breaking rules, violating the Code of Conduct, or unsporting behavior.

Judging criteria

• Implementation: Is the project functional and easy to operate for the target demographic? Is the solution viable and effective in addressing the problem statement? Does it reflect the quality of the outcome?
• Clarity: Did the team convey their ideas in a way that is understandable to the audience? Is their problem and proposed solution well-stated? How effectively does the team demonstrate the capabilities of their solution?
• Creativity: Does the project introduce new ideas? Does it go beyond being an API wrapper? Is the project novel and original? Does it approach a problem from an unusual or different perspective?
• Growth: Did the team learn something new? Did they use unfamiliar software or dive into an unfamiliar subject area? Does the team demonstrate knowledge of the subject matter gained during the hackathon?
• Impact: What evidence or research supports the existence of the problem being addressed by the project? How does the solution offer a viable, ambitious answer to the identified problem?

Resources

• Full Rules
• Email Hackathon Manager