Girls In STEM Global Hackathon 2026 — Open to Girls Worldwide
A global online hackathon from Girls In Stem MENA & Central Asia where girls and young women build social-good projects. Beginner-friendly, with low-code and no-code entries accepted. Runs June 23 to July 25, 2026.
- Funding amount
- Varies by program
- Funding type
- Competition
- Application deadline
- Closed (25 Jul 2026)
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
Girls In STEM Global Hackathon is a worldwide, fully online build event run by Girls In Stem MENA & Central Asia. Its purpose is to give girls and women a genuine first taste of science, technology, engineering and maths work — the kind of learning that comes from shipping an actual project rather than sitting through a lecture.
The format is deliberately forgiving. Entries created with low-code or no-code tools are accepted, and you do not need any previous coding experience to take part. Participants may join on their own or as part of a team, and the projects they produce are expected to tackle themes of social good.
The build window spans June 23 through July 25, 2026, and sign-ups shut on the same date, July 25, 2026. Because everything happens remotely, location is not a barrier: applicants from India are as welcome as those from anywhere else on the map.
What is on offer is recognition rather than money. No cash prize is listed — the stated prize pool is zero — so this reads as a showcase and community event rather than a cash competition. Participants should check the official Devpost listing for any late updates to prizes. Applications are made through that same listing at https://girlsinstemhackathon.devpost.com/.
Highlights
- Online global hackathon for girls and young women, organised by Girls In Stem MENA & Central Asia
- Runs June 23 to July 25, 2026, with registration closing on July 25, 2026
- Beginner-friendly — low-code and no-code entries accepted, no coding experience needed
- Enter solo or as a team; projects must address social good themes
- Judged on creativity, impact and technical execution
- No cash prize pool — winners receive certificates, badges, spotlights and awards-ceremony recognition
Who can apply
The hackathon is aimed at girls and young women anywhere in the world, and no country restriction applies — India-based participants are eligible alongside everyone else.
To take part you should:
- Identify as a girl or young woman with an interest in STEM, technology or social impact.
- Be able to work remotely, since the entire event is online.
- Turn up with coding skills or with none at all — beginners and no-code builders are actively welcomed, and no prior programming experience is needed.
The organisers do not publish any age band, and no cap on team size is mentioned. You may enter on your own or as a team.
There is also no requirement to be a registered company, a DPIIT-recognised startup or an MSME. This is an individual and team participation event rather than a funding scheme for incorporated ventures.
Girls In STEM Global Hackathon 2026 — Open to Girls Worldwide is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Deadline & timing
The most recent application window for Girls In STEM Global Hackathon 2026 — Open to Girls Worldwide closed on 25 Jul 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.
What the funding covers
Nothing here is a grant, a loan or an investment — this is a recognition-based hackathon, and the organisers list no cash component at all. What successful teams walk away with is visibility and credentials.
1st Place — Global Impact Champion
- A winner certificate
- A featured winner spotlight across Girls in STEM platforms
- An exclusive winner badge
- Acknowledgement at the awards ceremony
2nd Place — Innovation Excellence
- A runner-up certificate
- A featured project spotlight
- A digital award badge
3rd Place — Rising Innovator
- A certificate of achievement
- Featured project recognition
- A digital award badge
Category awards — Best AI, Best Engineering & Innovation, Best Technology, Best Hardware and Best Social Impact — each bring a certificate and a mention on the organisation's website.
How to apply
Applications are submitted on the . Confirm the current deadline and document checklist there before you start.
Selection process
Entries are assessed against three stated yardsticks: creativity, impact and technical execution. Judges weigh how original the idea is, how much good it could do within a social good theme, and how well the build itself is put together — which means a neatly executed no-code project can hold its own against a fully coded one.
No separate round-by-round schedule, shortlist stage or interview step is published for this edition. The practical timeline participants can plan around is the hackathon window itself, June 23 through July 25, 2026, with submissions closing on July 25, 2026.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to Girls In STEM Global Hackathon 2026 — Open to Girls Worldwide, keep the following documents ready:
- A pitch deck or short business plan describing the problem, product and traction
- Company registration documents and PAN
- Founder identification (PAN / Aadhaar) and brief profiles
- Recent financial statements or projections
- Product details — a demo, prototype or working link if available
Exact requirements are confirmed on the official application portal — treat this as a preparation checklist.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding does the Girls In STEM Global Hackathon provide?
None in cash. The listed prize pool is zero, and the organisers present this as a non-cash recognition event or community showcase. Winners receive certificates, digital badges, a featured spotlight on Girls in STEM platforms and acknowledgement at the awards ceremony instead of money. It is worth checking the official Devpost page in case anything changes.
What is the application deadline?
Registration closes on July 25, 2026, which is also the day the hackathon itself ends. The event opens on June 23, 2026, so you have roughly a month to register and build.
Who is eligible to take part?
Girls and young women anywhere in the world, including India. You need an interest in STEM, technology or social impact. No prior coding experience is required, and beginners or no-code builders are especially welcome. The organisers do not publish an age band, and no team size limit is mentioned.
Can I apply from India, or is this only for other regions?
You can apply from India. Although the organiser is Girls In Stem MENA & Central Asia, the hackathon is global and open to participants worldwide. It is fully online, so your location does not limit your participation.
Do I need DPIIT recognition or MSME registration to enter?
No. Neither DPIIT recognition nor MSME registration is required, and you do not need to have a registered company at all. This is an individual or team hackathon rather than a startup funding scheme, so the usual entity and compliance requirements simply do not apply.
Do I have to know how to code?
Not at all. Low-code and no-code submissions are accepted, and the event is built to be beginner-friendly. If you are comfortable with technology but have never programmed before, this hackathon is designed with you in mind.
Can I enter alone, or do I need a team?
Either works. Participants can work individually or in teams, and no team size restrictions are specified by the organisers.
What exactly can I win?
The 1st Place title, Global Impact Champion, comes with a winner certificate, a featured winner spotlight on Girls in STEM platforms, an exclusive winner badge and recognition at the awards ceremony. 2nd Place, Innovation Excellence, earns a runner-up certificate, a featured project spotlight and a digital award badge. 3rd Place, Rising Innovator, receives a certificate of achievement, featured project recognition and a digital award badge. The category awards — Best AI, Best Engineering & Innovation, Best Technology, Best Hardware and Best Social Impact — bring certificates and website mentions.
What kind of project should I build?
Projects should address social good themes. The exact topic is up to you, but submissions are judged on creativity, impact and technical execution, so an original idea with a clear social benefit and a well-built prototype is the strongest combination.
Does the hackathon take equity or dilute participants?
No. The organisers are not acting as an investor or a lender here, so there is no equity stake, no dilution and nothing to repay. It is a competition and showcase, not a funding round.
How do I apply?
Register through the official Devpost page at https://girlsinstemhackathon.devpost.com/. That listing is also where you should watch for updates on prizes or recognition. Remember that registration closes on July 25, 2026.
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