Hack Harvard China 2026: 36 Hour Hackathon
Hack Harvard China 2026: 36 Hour Hackathon
Application Deadline: 5 August 2026
Description
Learning Outcomes
*Upon enrolment and successful admission into this programme, you will be eligible for scholarships for the Coursera online courses leading to the Google Career Certificate, available exclusively on AISL Mall.
About HackHarvard
Founded in 2015 by the Harvard Undergraduate Hackathon Association, HackHarvard is the second-largest collegiate hackathon in the United States by scale. Held every October on Harvard University’s campus, it is officially recognised and supported by Harvard University, and stands as one of the most influential and iconic events in the global youth science and innovation space. Each year, the event invites industry experts from top U.S. tech companies, including Google and Meta, to participate in the event in depth, providing participating students with invaluable opportunities to get up close to cutting-edge industry trends and earn professional recognition.
Since its launch, HackHarvard has attracted tens of thousands of top young students from around the world, and incubated hundreds of innovative projects with commercial and social value, with its authority and influence widely recognised by North American universities and the tech industry.
As one of the birthplaces of artificial intelligence, Harvard University is home to world-class laboratories, including CSAIL, has nurtured multiple Turing Award laureates, and consistently leads global advancement in the fields of machine learning, computer science, intelligent engineering and beyond. As Harvard’s flagship hackathon, HackHarvard upholds the core ethos of interdisciplinary practice and innovative creation, breaks down disciplinary boundaries, and has built a full-cycle innovative practice system spanning ideation, technical implementation, and real-world application, enabling participants to
complete the full closed loop from theory to application through hands-on practical experience.
Academic Team
The academic team is directly from Harvard University, providing full academic support and judging guidance throughout the event. The winning teams of the China Challenge will qualify for the global HackHarvard finals, travel to Harvard University in the U.S. to compete and exchange with top makers from around the world, and gain invaluable face-to-face access and professional feedback from the global judging panel.
In addition, HHCC also specially invites professional experts and scholars from relevant academic disciplines and the technology industry to participate in the event in depth. This combination of international perspective and local characteristics further enhances the event’s influence in China’s youth science and innovation space, and builds a bridge for participating students to connect with the world’s top science and innovation resources and domestic industry frontiers.
The Challenges and Tracks
Flexible Dual-Track Setup for All Participation Background
Students with more mature technical skills who wish to take on the 36-hour end-to-end intensive development challenge may choose the Prototype Development Track to bring an original idea to life from scratch on-site during the event.
Students with phased projects who seek to conduct in-depth refinement of their work may choose the Iteration Track to complete the upgrade and optimisation of their project within the 36 hours, with a focus on enhancing the completeness and implementability of the project.
Participants collaborate in teams under the guidance of Harvard youth mentors and leaders from China's internet and technology sectors. Teams will develop innovative solutions across five future-focused tracks:
- Education - Digital tools such as video calls, interactive apps, and online courses have made learning more engaging and accessible for students around the world. How can we use technology to make learning more fun and effective? This track focuses on projects that creatively enhance in-school and out-of-school learning experiences, such as educational games, interactive websites, and AI feedback systems.
- Safety - Children and the elderly are the most vulnerable to safety and health risks in our communities. How can we use digital tools to monitor and protect these groups? This track focuses on projects dedicated to protecting health and well-being, such as location trackers, health alert apps, and child-safe internet filters.
- Sustainability - Worsening global climate change means that better environmental protection measures are necessary for our growing world. How can we use hardware and software to implement sustainable practices and reduce carbon emissions? This track focuses on projects centred around sustainable living and manufacturing, such as pollution sensors, environmental education games, and energy efficiency trackers.
- Smart Cities - Developing cities today need well-connected infrastructure and smart sensing in order to serve residents efficiently. How can we use sensors and digital tools to make our cities more interconnected? This track focuses on projects aimed at automating and optimising urban infrastructure, such as traffic sensors, transportation innovations, and solar charging devices.
- Mystery Track - How can we use digital tools to address undefined and underrepresented challenges? This track focuses on interdisciplinary, innovative exploratory projects, and we look forward to daring challengers who are ready to embrace the unknown.
Project Formats Accepted: Interactive Website, Mobile Apps, Hardware Devices, Game Design, Data Visualisation Projects, Smart Wearables, and more.
Rubric: Creativity and Originality 20%, Technical Complexity 20%, Functionality & Usability 20%, Branding & Business/Social Impact 20% and teamwork & Collaboration 20%
Track Overview
Awards and Global Recognition
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Global Finals: Winning teams from HackHarvard China Challenge will be invited to Harvard University to complete in HackHarvard Global, going head-to-head with makers from around the world in October 2026.
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Official Certification: All participants receive an official HackHarvard Certificate.
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Prestigious Trophies: Gold, Silver, and Bronze Awards, plus specialized Track Awards for innovation.
Event Details
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Location: Hangzhou, China
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Dates: HackHarvard August 21 - 23 I Pre-Hackathon Training Camp (Optional) August 19 - 21
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Eligibility: Ages 13–18 (Junior & Senior High) This event is open to middle and high school students in Grades 7–12 from around the world, with no restrictions
on academic background, prior science and innovation experience. All participants compete in a mixed pool, differentiated only by the two competition tracks: the Iteration Track and the Prototype Development Track. Any student with an interest in programming, technological innovation, or creative practice is welcome to register and participate. - Team Formation: 2-5 members per team; Junior Division-Grades 7-9; Senior Division-Grades 10-12
Tentative Schedule
| Day 1 (August 21) |
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| Day 2 (August 22) |
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| Day 3 (August 23) |
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Workshops
Pre-event beginner-friendly workshops are available to help students build confidence before the hackathon begins. Students can choose whether to attend these workshops or compete directly in the hackathon.
Technical Workshops
- Intro to Python
- Intro to JavaScript
- Front-End Development
- How to Use GitHub
- Coding with AI
- High-Level Intro to AI Tech
Business & Product Workshops
- Brand / Business Development
- What is an MVP?
Workshop schedules and sign-up information will be provided to registered participants.
48-Hour-Pre-Hackathon Training Camp (Optional)
The HHCC 2026 48-hour Hacker Bootcamp is the exclusive pre-event empowerment
component of the event, and one of the core advantages that sets it apart from other
hackathons. Its core highlight is the full mentorship from a top team of young Harvard
scholars, inheriting Harvard’s educational philosophy of Mens et Manus (Mind and Hand). Eight youth mentors from Harvard University's Computer Science program will lead a series of fun, hands-on workshops covering:
General Courses - How to come up with a good hackathon idea, Prototyping with figma and data analysis in Python
Beginner Track - Scratch, App development in Thunkable, Intro to JS II and Beginner ML in Python
Advanced Track - Intro to APIs, Web App Development in React, AI-agent Web App and Intermediate AL in Python
- Tailored to the cognitive characteristics of Grades 7–12 students and the needs of the event, the bootcamp accommodates both entry-level students and those with advanced experience, laying a solid foundation for the 36-hour intensive maker challenge.
- With a core model of "theory + hands-on practice + simulation", no prior programming or science and innovation experience is required, allowing every participant to quickly master the essential skills for HHCC and unlock their core maker capabilities.
- The bootcamp will be held offline on August 19–21, 2026, seamlessly connected to the subsequent 36-hour intensive maker challenge. The curriculum is closely aligned with the four event themes and the needs of the two tracks, rejecting redundant theory and focusing on "learn-and-apply" content.
- Every knowledge point corresponds to the actual scenario of the event, helping students quickly transform from "innovation beginners" to "practical makers" in a short period of time. The bootcamp also builds a platform for students to communicate and collaborate, allowing them to familiarise themselves with the team collaboration model in advance and lay a foundation for efficient cooperation during HHCC.
FAQ
Do I have to build a fully mature and usable product to participate?
No. The core of the event is to showcase students' innovative ideas and prototyping capabilities. A prototype that clearly conveys the concept and completes the core functions is an excellent work. Judges will focus more on the innovation, technical
attempts, teamwork and learning growth during the development process, and do not require the product to be fully mature and commercially ready.
I have no programming background or prior science and innovation project experience. Can I participate?
Yes. The event is open to all Grades 7–12 middle and high school students. Students with no prior experience can optionally register for the Hacker bootcamp. The bootcamp will provide start-to-finish technical training, and Harvard mentors will provide full guidance throughout the event. The competition values students' creativity, learning ability and collaborative spirit above all else.
Can I register individually if I haven't formed a team?
Yes. After individual registration, the organising committee will assist in matching teammates to help you form a team, ensuring all participants can successfully join the event.
How is accommodation and food arranged during the 36- hour offline event? Accommodation and meals are at the participant’s own expense. Students may dine at the campus canteen of the host institution. If you need assistance with accommodation booking from the organising committee, please pay attention to subsequent official notifications; accommodation costs are at the participant’s own expense.
What are the specific requirements for the phased project in the Iteration Track?
Teams in the Iteration Track may participate with a basic prototype completed before the event, but must complete substantial iterative upgrades within the 36-hour event
period. When submitting materials before and after the event, teams must clearly explain the optimisation content, improvement logic and upgrade scope completed during the event in accordance with the guidelines in Chapter 8. Project Submission Requirements. The judges will focus on evaluating the iterative results completed in accordance with their requirements, and submitting fully completed products before the event is strictly prohibited.
In partnership with
