GENIUS Olympiad 2026

The challenge

Teams must build a software-based solution that addresses the assigned environmental challenge prompt given at the start of the hackathon. Projects may include web applications, desktop software, data-driven tools, intelligent systems, AI-assisted applications, or other coding-based products. All work must be created during the official hackathon window. Pre-built projects are not allowed, but teams may use open-source libraries, APIs, public documentation, publicly available datasets, and AI-assisted tools as long as they are properly disclosed. You should be committing your changes to GitHub frequently as you develop your project. Failure to do so may result in a lower score during judging.

Tracks / categories

This is a coding-focused hackathon with no specific tracks mentioned, other than the general theme of environmental solutions.

Required tech & constraints

• High school students only
• Above legal age of majority in country of residence
• GENIUS Olympiad Finalists
• Teams of up to two (individually or in teams)
• All work must be completed during the 24-hour hackathon.
• AI usage must be disclosed in the required AI usage declaration statement and presentation.
• Teams must work independently and may not receive help or feedback from teachers, mentors, chaperones, other teams, or outside individuals during the hackathon.
• Bring your own laptop, charger, and any coding tools or development environments.

Submission requirements

• Project title
• Short project description
• Background of the project development
• Resources used for the project
• GitHub repository link for the project source code
• Final presentation file as a PDF
• AI usage declaration statement (if applicable)

Judging criteria

The judging criteria are outlined in a Judge Rubric available on the GENIUS Olympiad website: https://geniusolympiad.org/disciplines.html#item-1-3

Prizes

• Grand Award (1 winner): Top project
• Gold Award (1 winner): Top 5% of projects
• Silver Award (2 winners): Next 10% of projects
• Bronze Award (2 winners): Next 10% of projects
• Honorable Mention Award (3 winners): Next 15% of projects All prizes are non-cash.

Bonus / optional points

Committing changes to GitHub frequently may result in a higher score.