NEUROHACK 2026 | MARCH 27TH-29TH, 2026
HOSTED BY NEUROTECHX@UIUC

NeuroHack is a 24-hour hybrid hackathon centered on cognitive wellness, neurodiversity, and technology for mental health. We welcome students from all disciplines—computer science, engineering, neuroscience, healthcare, design, etc—to build creative solutions for human-centered problems.

Whether you're a seasoned programmer or a first-timer, NeuroHack offers opportunities for both beginner and advanced participants, with another option for non-technical project formats. This is more than a competition—it's a platform to explore how tech can support the brain, body, and community. 

The theme this semester will be Neural Narratives- exploring neuroscience, technology, and the arts 

 

📅 EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:

March 27th, Friday: 

  • Hackathon Begins: 5:00 PM CST

  • Opening Ceremony + Prompt Reveal:  7:00 PM CST

March 28th, Saturday: 

  • Workshop 1 - Working with EEG headsets: 12-1 PM CST 
  • Speaker 1 - Dr. Gribkova: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM CST
  • Workshop 2 - Aceing your demos: 6:00 - 7:00 PM CST

March 29th, Sunday

  • Project Submission Deadline: 12:00 PM CST

  • Demos & Judging: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM CST

  • Speaker 1 - Dr. Willits: 3:00 PM - 3:45 PM CST

  • Winners Announced: 4:00 PM CST during the Awards Ceremony

 

 

Requirements

To submit a project for NeuroHack 2026, your team must include:

  • ✅ A prototype : This can be a coded solution, design, or research-backed concept aligned with one of the official prompts.
  • ✅ A Devpost submission : Submit your project on Devpost before the deadline.

 

💡 DEVPOST SUBMISSION MUST INCLUDE:

Required for All Teams:

  • Project Title and Team Member Names (Maximum of 3 People)

  • Project Description that includes:

    • What your project does

    • Why it matters (the problem it addresses, who it helps, and how it relates to the prompt)

  • Screenshots or Diagrams (mockups, workflows, sketches, UI designs, storyboards, etc.)

  • Relevant Links:

    • GitHub repository (for technical projects)

    • Notion docs, Figma boards, PDFs, or any relevant supporting files

🎥 Optional but Encouraged:

  • A 2–3 minute demo video walking through your project
    (hosted on YouTube, Google Drive, or similar platforms)

 

💡 FOR NON-TECHNICAL / RESEARCH-BASED PROJECTS:

If you're submitting a conceptual or research-driven solution with no code:

  • Include a well-researched concept supported by literature or credible sources

  • Provide a clear explanation of the problem and its relevance

  • Detail your proposed solution and its potential impact

  • Support feasibility with evidence, such as:

    • Small surveys, competitor analysis, real-world examples, or expert input

  • Present your idea using a visual storytelling format:

    • A 5–10 slide deck, storyboard, infographic, user journey map, poster, or similar

Focus on clarity, insight, and real-world potential.

Hackathon Sponsors

Prizes

$550+ in prizes
+ other prizes
Technical - First Place
$150 in cash
1 winner

Non-Technical - First Place
$150 in cash
1 winner

Technical - Second Place
$75 in cash
1 winner

Non-Technical - Second Place
$75 in cash
1 winner

Technical - Third Place
$50 in cash
1 winner

Non-Technical - Third Place
$50 in cash
1 winner

ElevenLabs Sponsor Awards: Overall Winning Team
2 winners

In each of the technical and non-technical tracks, every member of the overall winning team receives 3 months of Pro tier

ElevenLabs Sponsor Awards: Best Project Built with ElevenLabs
2 winners

In each of the technical and non-technical tracks, every member of the best ElevenLabs-powered project receives 6 months of the Scale tier.

Devpost Achievements

Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:

Judges

Sid Gurumurthi

Sid Gurumurthi
President of NeuroTechX@UIUC

Ruchi Prakash

Ruchi Prakash
Vice President External of NeuroTechX@UIUC

Rushil Shah

Rushil Shah
Director of Outreach & Treasurer of NeuroTechX@UIUC

Aditi Jindal

Aditi Jindal
Director of Marketing of NeuroTechX@UIUC

Judging Criteria

  • Relevance & Understanding (5 pts)
    Does the project directly address one of NeuroHack’s official prompts? Judges are looking for a clear connection and insight into the core issue.
  • Innovation & Creativity (10 pts)
    Is the idea original or presented in a fresh way? Creativity in concept, design, or use of tools will stand out.
  • Execution & Feasibility (10 pts)
    How well was the project built or supported? Tech: Functionality, stability, and completeness of the prototype. Non-Technical: Real-world viability, backed by research or user insights.
  • Devpost Submission (10 pts)
    Is the submission complete, organized, and easy to follow? Strong entries include a compelling description, visuals, and helpful links.
  • Visuals (5 pts)
    Are diagrams, screenshots, or other visuals used effectively to explain the concept?

Questions? Email the hackathon manager

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