What problem does your organization need solved?
Looking for a creative, tech-driven approach to a real-world problem? Partner with us as a Problem Provider at natHacks 2026!
Problem Provider applications close October 13th, 2026 at 11:59 PM MT.
What is natHacks?
natHacks is NAT’s annual 64-hour interdisciplinary competition, taking place November 6–9, 2026 in person in Edmonton, Alberta. Students and recent graduates work in teams to design, build and present creative solutions across three themes:
Health & Accessibility
Defense & Security
Construction & Manufacturing
Participants may develop their own ideas or address a real-world challenge through the Problem Provider Division.
What are Problem Providers?
Problem Providers bring real-world challenges to NAT’s competitions and work with interdisciplinary teams to develop innovative solutions tailored to their needs through ongoing guidance and feedback.
Who can provide a problem?
We welcome applications from organizations and individuals with a real-world challenge within one of the 3 themes. This may include:
Industry professionals
Researchers and educators
Healthcare and community professionals
Nonprofit and public-sector organizations
Technical and subject-matter experts
You do not need to have a proposed solution or a technical background.
What types of problems are accepted?
We accept real-world challenges related to Health & Accessibility, Defense & Security, or Construction & Manufacturing, such as improving access to care, supporting emergency response or reducing workplace injuries.
Challenges should address a clear need and be suitable for participants to explore through a technology-based prototype during the 64-hour competition.
What is required from a Problem Provider?
Problem Providers are expected to clearly explain their challenge, answer questions and give the team regular feedback. Before natHacks, you will help your team complete three short Development Reports outlining their understanding of the problem and proposed approach.
During the event, Problem Providers are expected to work with the team in person for at least 2-3 hours each day of the competition to review progress and provide guidance.
Why provide a problem?
-
Explore an idea at no cost
Work with participants as develop an early-stage prototype or proof of concept.
-
Meet emerging talent
Connect with students and recent graduates who bring technical skills, creative thinking, and new perspectives to your challenge.
-
Build new connections
Meet mentors, professionals and organizations working across natHacks’ three themes.
-
Increase your organization’s visibility
Share your work and challenge with an engaged audience of participants, professionals and community partners.
“I had a competent team working on our project, and we ended up hiring one of the students for a summer internship to further develop the project.”
— natHacks 2023 Problem Provider
-
1150+
Participants
-
175+
Prototypes Developed
-
25+
Ongoing Projects
Past Problem Providers
We are proud to have worked with Problem Providers from leading organizations such as:
Frequently Asked Questions
-
natHacks 2026 will take place in person on the eighth floor of the Donadeo Innovation Centre for Engineering (DICE) at the University of Alberta. Problem Providers are expected to work with their teams at the venue for at least 2-3 hours each day.
-
Problem Providers are expected to clearly explain their challenge, answer questions and give the team regular feedback. Before natHacks, you will help your team complete three short Development Reports outlining their understanding of the problem and proposed approach.
During the event, Problem Providers are expected to work with the team in person for at least two to three hours each day to clarify needs, review progress and help keep the solution relevant to the problem.
-
Selected Problem Providers will prepare a short overview explaining the problem, who it affects and why it matters. Participants will review the available challenges and indicate which ones they are most interested in addressing.
NAT will provide the format, deadline and guidance for your problem overview once your application is accepted.
-
Participants in the Problem Provider Division will review the available challenge descriptions and submit an interest form identifying the challenges they would most like to work on. NAT will use their preferences, skills and experience to form teams and match them with a challenge.
-
A strong challenge highlights a real-world issue that could benefit from a novel application of bio-integrated technology.
This includes problems where the solution could improve health, wellness, or daily life. For example, a project from natHacks 2023, Sleep Apnea Guardian, provided a low-cost, non-invasive way to detect sleep apnea and is now incorporated and working with a medical research lab.
The best problems have a tangible impact and can be taken forward after the hackathon.
-
Different intellectual property agreements are available depending on the challenge and how the resulting work may be used. Include your expectations for ownership, licensing, confidentiality and continued development in your problem overview so participants can consider them before choosing a challenge. The applicable agreement should be confirmed with the team before project work begins.
-
By the end of natHacks, your team will present a working prototype and explain how it addresses your challenge. Depending on the project, this may be a hardware device, software tool, digital interface, or proof of concept. The result will be an early-stage solution intended for testing and further development (not a production-ready product).
-
Our competitions offer a valuable, zero-cost opportunity to explore solutions in a risk-free setting. By submitting a challenge, you’ll work with a dedicated team of 5-6 innovators who will bring fresh perspectives to your problem.
This is also a great way to increase exposure for your work, discover potential talent, and build meaningful partnerships.
-
There is no fee to submit a challenge or participate as a Problem Provider.
-
The application deadline for natHacks 2026 Problem Providers is Oct 13, 2026.
To apply, just fill out this short interest form and we will follow up with next steps.
-
Problem Providers must support their team in person at the University of Alberta (University of Alberta Donadeo Innovation Centre For Engineering (DICE) 8th Floor) for at least two to three hours each day. Additional support may be provided remotely.
-
After the hackathon, you’ll have the opportunity to take the solution forward. Many past projects have led to long-term partnerships, further development, and even commercialization. We highly encourage you to stay engaged with your team if the solution shows promise!
-
NAT will provide guidance on preparing your problem, connect you with your team and communicate key deadlines and expectations. During the event, organizers, advisors and technical mentors will be available to support the project process.
-
Yes! However, each problem must have its own dedicated Problem Provider to guide the assigned team.
Problem Provider Interest Form
Want to learn more about Problem Providing? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly!
The natHacks 2026 Problem Provider registration deadline is October 13th, 2026 at 11:59 PM MT.
