Code for Humanity — Global Online Hackathon on Devpost — Frequently Asked Questions

None in cash. The prize pool is listed as $0, so there is no grant, loan or cash award attached to this competition. Winners receive non-cash prizes, and every participant who submits a valid project receives a Certificate of Participation. The practical return is a finished project for your portfolio, hackathon experience and recognition on the Devpost platform.

The registration and submission deadline is January 15, 2027. Register and submit your project through the official Devpost page before that date. The start date shown in some listings looks inconsistent, so check the Devpost page for the confirmed schedule.

The hackathon is open to all individuals and teams, with no geographic restrictions stated — students, working professionals and hobbyists from India and anywhere else are welcome. No DPIIT recognition, MSME registration or incorporated company is part of the stated criteria, so you do not need any of that paperwork. What you do need is the ability to build in software development, AI/ML or web technologies within one of the three tracks.

Both are fine. Solo participation is allowed, and teams are equally welcome. The listing does not specify a maximum or minimum team size, so if you do form a team, confirm the details on the Devpost page.

Your project should fit one of three themes. Under Education, build something that improves learning, teaching or access to education. Under Machine Learning/AI, develop an AI-powered application or model that solves a problem. Under Web, create a web-based solution that is accessible and makes a real difference.

Submissions are assessed on creativity, technical execution and potential for social impact. Those criteria map onto the four award categories: the best first build, the most original idea, the entry with the clearest real-world value, and the overall standout. Five non-cash prizes are spread across those categories.

Everyone who takes part still comes away with something. Every valid submission receives a Certificate of Participation, and participants can also earn Devpost Achievements. You also finish the hackathon with a portfolio-ready project and experience you can point to in future applications or job conversations.

There are four named categories covering five non-cash prizes: Best Beginner Project (the most impressive first build), Most Innovative Project (the boldest and most original idea), Most Practical Project (clear real-world value) and Best Overall Project (exceptional innovation, technical excellence and meaningful social impact). No cash is awarded in any of them.

No on both counts. There is no registration fee to take part, and nothing in the programme involves handing over a stake or equity in your project. It is a competition with non-cash prizes, not an investment — no money changes hands in either direction.

Register and submit your project through the official Devpost page at https://code-for-humanity.devpost.com/. There is no registration fee. Since this is a build-and-submit competition rather than a pitch process, your project submission itself is the application.