Girls In STEM Global Hackathon 2026 — Open to Girls Worldwide — Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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.

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 The organisers do not publish an age band, and no team size limit is mentioned.

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.

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.

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.

Either works. Participants can work individually or in teams, and no team size restrictions are specified by the organisers.

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.

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.

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.

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.