64-HOUR INTERDISCIPLINARY COMPETITION
BIG IDEAS,
REAL-WORLD IMPACT
natHacks challenges hundreds of students and recent grads to design, build, and pitch creative solutions.
Registration opens Aug 26
NATHACKS AT A GLANCE
HOW IT WORKS
Choose how you want to take part, then turn an idea into something real.
Choose
Standard Division: form your team. Problem Provider Division: get matched to a real-world challenge.
Get Ready
Learn from live workshops and panel discussions, meet other participants, and connect with your team.
Build
Spend 64 hours designing, building, and testing your idea with mentors and specialized equipment.
Pitch
Present to a multidisciplinary judging panel and compete for seed funding and project support resources.
CHOOSE A DIRECTION
2026 THEMES
Choose a theme, find a problem that matters to you, and build a solution.
Healthcare &Accessibility
Health, independence, accessible design, assistive technology, diagnostics, rehabilitation, and patient support.
Defense &Security
Cybersecurity, emergency response, resilient systems, remote sensing, privacy, infrastructure, and public safety.
Construction &Manufacturing
Automation, worker safety, quality control, robotics, monitoring, materials, supply chains, and predictive maintenance.
< PICK A THEME / FRAME A PROBLEM / BUILD A PROTOTYPE >
PREPARE BEFORE THE CLOCK STARTS
WORkshop topics may include:
LEARN. BUILD.
TRY SOMETHING NEW.
Join us at the University of Alberta on October 23 and 30 for live, in-person workshops designed to help you prepare for natHacks.
REAL PEOPLE.
REAL PROJECTS.
See what natHacks looks like: teams building together, learning, and sharing what they made.
TAKE YOUR PROJECT FURTHER
THE WEEKEND IS
JUST THE START.
Selected teams receive funding, advice, and resources to keep building after the event.
TAKE YOUR PROJECT FURTHER
TAKE YOUR PROJECT FURTHER.
Winning teams receive funding, advice, and resources to keep building after the event.
Standard Division
3 winners — one per theme
1st Place
$4,000 Value
$2,000 seed + $2,000 in-kind
3 winners — one per theme
2nd Place
$2,000 Value
$1,000 seed + $1,000 in-kind
3 winners — one per theme
3rd Place
$1,000 Value
$500 seed + $500 in-kind
Problem Provider Division
1st Place
$4,000 Value
$2,000 seed + $2,000 in-kind
2nd Place
$2,000 Value
$1,000 seed + $1,000 in-kind
3rd Place
$1,000 Value
$500 seed + $500 in-kind
THE DETAILS
FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
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natHacks 2026 will take place from November 6-9, 2026.
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natHacks 2025 will be hosted in person at the Donadeo Innovation Centre for Engineering at the University of Alberta.
Address: 9211 116 St NW, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9
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Participants may be high school students, undergraduates, graduates, and recent graduates from any background, including life sciences, computer science, engineering, design, social sciences, business, and health sciences. Please note that you must be at least 16 years of age to participate.
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Participation in natHacks 2025 requires a partially refundable $50 deposit, consisting of a:
$25 non-refundable program fee. This program fee covers the cost of the following:
Meals, snacks, and coffee throughout the hackathon,
Access to hacking space,
NAT merchandise.
$25 refundable deposit, returned to you after you participate in the competition. This helps us make sure everyone who signs up contributes meaningfully to their team.
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No! We welcome participants from diverse backgrounds and skill levels. We provide hands-on training and mentorship, so you’ll learn what you need along the way.
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Make sure to bring your laptop, charger and any other required tech. If you are 18+ and interested in staying at the venue overnight, you will find it helpful to bring along key items you would bring to a sleepover: pillows, blanket, toothbrush/toothpaste, deodorant, earphones, etc.
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The final application deadline for natHacks 2025 is Oct 25, 2025 at 11:59 PM MT.
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In Problem Provider division, NAT organizers will match you with a team based on your skills and the challenges you express interest in.
For Standard division hackers, there will be opportunities for willing participants to look for, make, or join a team before and at the hackathon. This includes the natHacks Discord, which you will be invited to upon acceptance, and in person on November 7.
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In the Problem Provider division, teams are matched with a challenge based on their skills and interests.
For Standard Division hackers, a good recommendation for coming up with ideas is to think about annoyances in your everyday life that you could potentially solve. Talk to your friends and family to help you! You can also ask NAT organizers for ideas.
COMMUNITY-POWERED
THANK YOU TO
OUR PARTNERS.
natHacks is made possible by organizations that support youth, technology, and innovation.
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TAKE YOUR PROJECT FURTHER
natHacks prizes take the form of reimbursement-based seed funding and in-kind services such as legal advice, cloud resources, business mentorship, and infrastructure to support your project's development.
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🏅 1st Place – Standard Division
3 winners (one from each theme)
$2000 CAD in seed funding and $2000 CAD in in-kind services for each winner
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🥈 2nd Place – Standard Division
3 winners (one from each theme)
$1000 CAD in seed funding and $1000 CAD in in-kind services for each winner
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🥉 3rd Place – Standard Division
3 winners (one from each theme)
$500 CAD in seed funding and $500 CAD in in-kind services for each winner
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🏅 1st Place – Problem Provider Division
$2000 CAD in seed funding and $2000 CAD in in-kind services
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🥈 2nd Place – Problem Provider Division
$1000 CAD in seed funding and $1000 CAD in in-kind services
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🥉 3rd Place – Problem Provider Division
$500 CAD in seed funding and $500 CAD in in-kind services
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879+
Participants
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136+
Prototypes Developed
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23+
Ongoing Projects
Thank You to Our Partners
