Frequently asked questions

natHacks runs annually in November. The most recent edition, natHacks 2025, ran November 7-10, 2025.

Dates for the next edition are announced on this site and through our newsletter.

natHacks is hosted in person in Edmonton. The most recent edition was held at the Donadeo Innovation Centre for Engineering at the University of Alberta.

Address: 9211 116 St NW, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9

The venue for each edition is confirmed when registration opens.

Participants may be high school students, undergraduates, graduates, and recent graduates from any background, including life sciences, computer science, engineering, design, social sciences, business, and health sciences. Please note that you must be at least 16 years of age to participate.

No! We welcome participants from diverse backgrounds and skill levels. We provide hands-on training and mentorship, so you will learn what you need along the way.

Applications close ahead of the event. The natHacks 2025 deadline was October 25, 2025 at 11:59 PM MT.

Sign up for our newsletter to hear when the next round opens.

In Problem Provider division, NAT organizers will match you with a team based on your skills and the challenges you express interest in.

For Standard division hackers, there are opportunities for willing participants to look for, make, or join a team before and at the hackathon. This includes the natHacks Discord, which you will be invited to upon acceptance, and in person on the opening day.

In the Problem Provider division, teams are matched with a challenge based on their skills and interests.

For Standard Division hackers, a good recommendation for coming up with ideas is to think about annoyances in your everyday life that you could potentially solve. Talk to your friends and family to help you! You can also ask NAT organizers for ideas.

Make sure to bring your laptop, charger and any other required tech.

If you are 18+ and interested in staying at the venue overnight, you will find it helpful to bring along key items you would bring to a sleepover: pillows, blanket, toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant, earphones, and similar.

natIgnite runs in the spring and natHacks in the autumn. The most recent editions were natIgnite in May 2026 and natHacks in November 2025.

Sign up for our newsletter to be notified when the next dates are announced.

Our competitions are hosted in person in Edmonton, Alberta.

For both events, Problem Providers based outside of the host cities are welcome to collaborate with teams remotely, though in-person participation is strongly encouraged to maximize engagement.

We welcome challenges that can be addressed with emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, biosensing, remote sensing, robotics, and assistive technologies. Examples include improving patient care, developing education technology, or advancing tools for remote health monitoring.

Clinicians, researchers, industry representatives, patient advocates, and support providers are all welcome to submit challenges.

Our multidisciplinary teams are carefully curated to ensure a diverse skill set that matches the complexity of each problem.

You will provide a clear problem statement and be available to mentor participants during the event.

Between attending the Pitch Night, supporting your team's three Weekly Development Reports leading up to the hackathon, and providing guidance during the hackathon, you can expect a time commitment of as little as 14 hours.

A strong challenge highlights a real-world issue that could benefit from a novel application of bio-integrated technology.

This includes problems where the solution could improve health, wellness, or daily life. For example, a project from natHacks 2023, Sleep Apnea Guardian, provided a low-cost, non-invasive way to detect sleep apnea and is now incorporated and working with a medical research lab.

The best problems have a tangible impact and can be taken forward after the hackathon.

Participants develop functional prototypes or detailed concepts that align with your challenge. These range from software tools and algorithms to hardware integrations and interdisciplinary solutions.

Our hackathons offer a valuable, zero-cost opportunity to explore solutions in a risk-free setting. By submitting a challenge, you will work with a dedicated team of 5-6 innovators who will bring fresh perspectives to your problem.

This is also a great way to increase exposure for your work, discover potential talent, and build meaningful partnerships. As a Problem Provider, you will be at the forefront of bio-innovation.

There is no fee to submit a challenge or participate as a Problem Provider.

Applications close ahead of each event. The natIgnite 2026 deadline was April 26, 2026.

To apply, fill out our short interest form and we will follow up with next steps. Sign up for our newsletter to hear when the next round opens.

You will participate in our virtual Pitch Night, presenting your challenge and its potential for technological solutions to hundreds of innovators. It is a great opportunity for exposure, both for your problem and yourself, as you connect with a team that could help solve it.

While we encourage in-person involvement during key stages of the event, virtual engagement is also an option.

You will have access to a team of motivated students and young professionals who are eager to innovate. Throughout the process, you can provide guidance and insight while we handle logistics, from team coordination to tech support.

Yes! However, each problem must have its own dedicated Problem Provider to guide the assigned team.

After the hackathon, you will have the opportunity to take the solution forward. Many past projects have led to long-term partnerships, further development, and even commercialization. We highly encourage you to stay engaged with your team if the solution shows promise.

natIgnite is a 40-hour interdisciplinary hackathon series where teams develop real-world, hardware-integrated solutions in digital health, assistive technologies, and advanced computing. Individuals will further be supported by 30+ hours of workshops and expert mentors.

Participants may be high school students, undergraduates, graduates, and recent graduates from any background, including life sciences, computer science, engineering, design, social sciences, business, and health sciences. Please note that you must be at least 16 years of age to participate.

natIgnite has:

• Real-world challenges from Problem Providers. Problem Providers can be a broad range of individuals, including clinicians, researchers, and industry partners.
• Deep focus on hardware and AI-driven prototyping.
• Strong post-event support to keep projects alive.

Each edition focuses on a different theme. The natIgnite 2026 theme was AccessTech.

AccessTech challenges focused on how accessibility can be built into the way businesses operate, grow, and serve people. From customer experiences to workplace systems, accessibility shapes how individuals interact with products, services, and environments every day.

The theme for the next edition is announced alongside the event.

Yes! The program actively recruits women, Indigenous peoples, racialized communities, 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, low-income and first-gen students, and persons with disabilities.

We expect 100+ participants per event, drawn from diverse academic and professional backgrounds.

Over 90% of past participants report learning new technical or professional skills. There are beginner-friendly workshops and expert mentorship to help you grow.

No! Diverse skills are welcome. We provide hands-on training and mentorship, so you will learn what you need along the way.

Hackers will design and prototype solutions using advanced hardware (like biosensors and motion trackers) alongside powerful tools like AI, ML, and data analytics.

Teams of 5-6 are formed by NAT organizers on Pitch Day, after individuals rank their interest in the Problem Provider pitches. Each team has access to one Problem Provider and includes members from both technical and non-technical backgrounds.

A Problem Provider may be a clinician, researcher, or industry expert who brings a real-world problem to solve. They mentor and collaborate with teams throughout the prep phase and during the event itself.

Teams will receive:

• Access to expert mentors and tech workshops
• Advanced hardware and software tools
• 30+ hours of skill-building sessions
• Past workshop content available on NAT's YouTube channel
• Workspace, food, and on-site tech support during the event

Applications are accessible through NAT's website. If you are interested in participating, please keep an eye on announcements or sign up for updates via NAT's newsletter or social media.

natIgnite is hosted in person in Edmonton, on the University of Alberta North Campus. The most recent edition, natIgnite 2026, ran May 8-10, 2026, with the main hacking space and all subevents on the eighth floor of the Donadeo Innovation Centre for Engineering.

Each edition follows the same shape:

• A mandatory virtual Pitch Day the weekend before, where Problem Providers pitch their challenges and teams are formed.
• An in-person opening night with keynotes and networking before hacking begins.
• A 40-hour build sprint supported by mentors, wellness activities, and tech resources, ending with judging and awards.

Dates for the next natIgnite are announced on this site and through our newsletter.

Events are held in physically accessible venues with clear communication on accommodations. We provide quiet spaces and sensory-friendly supports.

Key platforms include the NAT website (event info, registration), Discord (announcements, support and networking), and Devpost (project submissions).

Yes, catering includes healthy meals, snacks, and beverages throughout the event to support participants during long hours. Dietary accommodations will also be available. You can specify your needs during registration.

On-site medical staff will be present at all physical venues, with first-aid kits located in key areas like registration and lounges.

Yes, dedicated wellness spaces and trained volunteers will be available to support participants needing breaks or assistance with stress.

We offer guided breaks, trivia, and movie nights to help participants recharge and maintain a positive atmosphere.

Security staff monitor the venue, emergency evacuation plans are posted, and staff and volunteers are trained to assist in emergencies.

Our swag table will include event materials such as hacker handbooks, ID badges, merch, and other useful supplies for the hackathon weekend.

Between the two weekends, teams meet their Problem Providers and submit three reports to track progress, clarify goals, and keep momentum. Due dates are shared with accepted teams.

You will receive a confirmation email only if you have been allotted your requested hardware. It is your responsibility to ensure that the forms are correctly filled out and the required payment is completed in order to reserve that specific hardware for your team.

Pickup times and the hardware station location are sent to accepted teams before the event. Hardware that has not been paid for by the stated cutoff is released to other hackers.

Teams will be responsible for submitting:

• Code repository (GitHub or similar)
• An optional 90-second video presentation showcasing your project
• A written summary (max 250 words) outlining your project and impact
• A live presentation or demo to judges during the event

Teams submit projects with the requirements listed above on the event's Devpost page. Teams who reached the requirements will present live demos to the judges.

You may get hardware from the hardware station at the event.

Winners are announced during the Closing Ceremony. The prizes are as follows:

• First team: $3,000 CAD seed funding plus $3,000 CAD in-kind services
• Second team: $1,500 CAD seed funding plus $1,500 CAD in-kind services
• Third team: $500 CAD seed funding plus $500 CAD in-kind services

Use the Discord support channels for registration or tech issues. The support channels are:

• #hacker-support
• #advisor-support
• #hardware-support

Lost and found is handled at the registration desk on site. Ask any organizer if you cannot find it.

Report any concerns immediately to event staff or the health and safety team, who are trained to handle incidents promptly.

Projects are scored on:

• Technical complexity (10 pts)
• Functionality (10 pts)
• Creativity and innovation (10 pts)
• Commercial viability (5 pts)
• Delivery (5 pts)
• Demo quality (5 pts)
• Impact (5 pts)
• Written summary (5 pts)
• Development reports (3 pts)

The judging process includes:

• Preliminary review of submissions by judges
• Shortlisted teams presenting live demos and pitches (15 mins)
• A Q and A session following each presentation
• A diverse expert panel scoring and providing feedback

All teams receive feedback via email after the event.

Each judging block will last 30 minutes. The time limits for presentations vary based on whether you are in the qualifiers or the finals.

In the qualifiers, which occur in private judging rooms:

• 15 minute presentation, including a potential demo
• 5 minute question period
• 10 minute judging deliberation, for which you will be asked to leave the judging room

There is an optional video submission alongside your project submission on the event's Devpost page. A video can be helpful in demonstrating your prototype in its optimal environment, for example demonstrating EEG based tech in a dark quiet room.

In the case where a team wishes to present a supplemental video, they must ensure it fits within their allotted presentation time while allowing ample time for the main in-person presentation.

If there is a tie or any dispute from teams, the following procedures apply:

• Judges re-evaluate tied projects focusing on contested criteria
• If needed, organizers review and make final decisions
• For disputes, teams may submit a written appeal for review by organizers

Judging at the hackathon will be fair for all teams through:

• Clear criteria shared upfront
• A diverse judge panel to reduce bias
• Judges disclosing conflicts of interest and recusing if needed
• Equal access to workshops and mentorship for all teams

We track workshop attendance, participant skill gains, project progress, and demographic data through surveys and reports during and after the event.

NAT has delivered 70+ events, supporting 1,750+ participants and 136+ prototypes. We partner with top institutions and have a dedicated, experienced organizing team.

We collect voluntary demographic information confidentially to improve equity and inclusion, using anonymous feedback to shape future programs.

The top three teams will receive seed funding and in-kind support such as legal advice, mentorship, and cloud credits. Reimbursements cover eligible project expenses.

After the hackathon, the winning teams are invited into NAT's post-event support ecosystem. We help projects grow into ventures, research collaborations, or community initiatives.

We encourage alumni to stay engaged as mentors, judges, and speakers. We also maintain active communication through social media, email, and community platforms.

Absolutely! We welcome participants to become mentors, volunteers, or even part of the organizing teams in future events.

Everyone will receive the pictures of the event through their emails within two weeks. Furthermore, the winners will be sent their pictures taken during the prize distribution as well.

Please understand that it takes time for our media team to edit photo and video assets so that they are presentable for publicity purposes.

To claim funding, you must:

• Win 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place at natIgnite
• Complete the future development plan, available after the hackathon
• Complete Quarterly Development Reports
• Request reimbursements for project assets up to the prize amount

More information will be provided to winning teams post-competition.

Hardware must be returned by the deadline given at the event. Deposit refunds are processed within 10-15 business days.