Key facts
- Type
- Competition
- Provider
- Next Generation Hacks
- Opens
- 8/7/2026
In short
NGN Hacks 2026 is a global online hackathon for high school students aged 14-18 to build real-world technology solutions, with several prize categories to be announced.
NGN Hacks 2026
By Next Generation Hacks
CompetitionOpens 8/7/2026Opens in 6 days
Aug 7 – 9, 2026
Dates
Online
Format
High school students (14-18)
Participants
$0
Total prizes
Beginner Friendly
Theme
Overview
NGN Hacks 2026 is a worldwide online hackathon designed for high school students in Grades 9–12 who are interested in building, learning, and creating with technology. The event aims to bring together the next generation of builders to develop solutions for real-world problems. The hackathon is open to both beginners and experienced participants; no prior expert coding knowledge is required. The primary objectives are to facilitate learning, encourage collaboration, address practical problems, and enable students to create projects they can be proud of. Participants can explore various technological fields such as artificial intelligence, education, sustainability, health, productivity, accessibility, finance, and cybersecurity, among others, or pursue other creative technology ideas. NGN Hacks provides students with an opportunity to gain practical experience, enhance their skills, connect with motivated peers, and develop projects that can be valuable additions to their portfolios, resumes, or university applications. The event emphasizes creativity, effort, problem-solving, and a clear articulation of the developed solution. Participants can choose to work individually or as part of a team.
What to build
Participants must build a technology-based project that addresses a problem or provides value to a specific group of people. Projects can include websites, applications, AI tools, games, automation, hardware ideas, prototypes, design concepts, or other digital solutions. Submissions should clearly articulate the problem being solved, the target audience, how the solution functions, the technologies used, and what makes the idea useful, creative, or meaningful. Projects must be developed during the hackathon period, though the use of public libraries, APIs, templates, or open-source tools is permitted, provided the core idea and work are original.
Prizes
First Place
Awarded to the strongest overall project based on judging criteria, demonstrating strong creativity, impact, technical quality, design, presentation, and completion. Prize details will be announced before the hackathon begins.
$0 in cash
Second Place
Awarded to the second strongest overall project, showing a strong idea, clear execution, good design, and a useful solution. Prize details will be announced before the hackathon begins.
$0 in cash
Third Place
Awarded to the third strongest overall project, exhibiting clear effort, creativity, technical work, and a strong explanation of the solution. Prize details will be announced before the hackathon begins.
$0 in cash
Most Creative Solution
Awarded to the project with the most original, creative, and interesting idea, showcasing strong imagination, unique thinking, and a fresh approach. Prize details will be announced before the hackathon begins.
$0 in cash
Best Beginner Project
Awarded to the strongest project by a beginner team or participant, recognizing effort, learning, improvement, creativity, and clear explanation. Intended for students new to coding, design, technology, or hackathons. Prize details will be announced before the hackathon begins.
$0 in cash
Best Use of Featherless AI
Awarded to the project that integrates Featherless AI in the most useful, creative, or technically impressive way, considering its connection to the project, improvement to the solution, and clear explanation of its use. Prize details will be announced before the hackathon begins.
$0 in cash
Best Use of SelfCAD
Awarded to the project that utilizes SelfCAD in the most creative, useful, or well-explained way, focusing on its application in design, prototype, model, or project concept. Prize details will be announced before the hackathon begins.
$0 in cash
Key dates
- Hackathon StartAugust 7, 2026
- Hackathon EndAugust 9, 2026
- Submissions OpenSoon
Eligibility
Participants must be high school students aged 14 to 18 only. Companies or professional organizations are excluded from participation. The hackathon is open to students from all countries/territories, excluding standard exceptions.
How to enter
- Register for the hackathon on Devpost.
- Join the NGN Hacks community and check for updates.
- Form a team or compete individually.
- Read the rules, judging criteria, and prize information.
- Choose a problem you want to solve.
- Build your project during the hackathon.
- Submit your project before the deadline.
Submission requirements
- Project title
- Short project description
- Full explanation of what the project does
- The problem your project solves
- The tools, languages, or platforms you used
- A link to your project, demo, GitHub repo, or prototype (must be working)
- A short demo video or presentation showing how your project works
- Screenshots or visuals of your project, if available
- Team member names and roles
Judging criteria
- Creativity and Originality: How unique, interesting, and creative is the project idea? Judges will look for original thinking, creative problem-solving, and ideas that are not just simple copies of existing apps, websites, or tools.
- Impact and Usefulness: How well does the project solve a real problem or help a specific group of people? Judges will look at who the project is for, why the problem matters, and how useful the solution could be.
Sponsors & partners
SelfCADTown of AuroraUnitsVibeGradeTypeOSYRDSB SHSMMozilla