Major League Hacking 2026 Hackathon Season
>> NAVIGATION_SYSTEM v2.6 // CIVIC_HACKS
APPLY_NOW

2026

LOCATION_ BOSTON_U / CCDS
DATE_ FEB 21-22
MISSION_STATEMENT.exe

> INITIALIZING MISSION_PROTOCOL...

> UPLOADING_PARAMS: INNOVATION, COLLABORATION, IMPACT


BRINGING TOGETHER THE BRIGHTEST MINDS TO DEPLOY REAL-WORLD SOLUTIONS.


We believe in the power of code to compile meaningful change in our communities. Join us for a weekend of high-velocity innovation.


> STATUS: WAITING_FOR_INPUT...

Tracks

EcoHack

Build solutions that address environmental and sustainability challenges using science, data, and technology.

EcoHack challenges participants to design technology-driven solutions that address pressing environmental and ecological issues. Teams will work at the intersection of environmental science, biology, sustainability, and data to tackle challenges such as food equity, waste management, climate resilience, and ecosystem health. With guidance and real-world context from sustainability experts, researchers, and community partners, participants are encouraged to create tools that promote environmental justice, conservation, and long-term planetary health.


FOCUS_AREAS:
EARTH ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY SUSTAINABILITY
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CityHack

Design technology-driven solutions to improve urban life.

CityHack invites participants to reimagine cities as more equitable, efficient, and livable spaces. This track focuses on urban challenges shaped by social, economic, and political systems, encouraging teams to explore how technology can improve city services, civic engagement, housing, transportation, and community well-being. Drawing inspiration from the Initiative on Cities, teams will work with urban data and real policy challenges to build solutions that strengthen communities and improve quality of life in urban environments.


FOCUS_AREAS:
SOCIOLOGY ECONOMICS POLITICAL_SCI URBAN_STUDIES
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EduHack

Develop innovative tools to support students, educators, and learning environments.

EduHack challenges participants to innovate within education systems, from K–12 to higher education. In collaboration with Wheelock and local education partners, teams will explore how technology—especially AI and data-driven tools—can enhance learning outcomes, support educators, and promote equitable access to education. Solutions should center students, teachers, and communities, addressing real challenges in classrooms and educational institutions.


FOCUS_AREAS:
EDUCATION LEARNING_SCI AI_IN_EDU
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JusticeHack

Create tools that improve access to justice and promote fairness in legal and criminal justice systems.

JusticeHack centers on improving access to justice and rethinking legal and criminal justice systems through technology. Participants will collaborate with legal experts, public defenders, and advocacy organizations to build tools that increase transparency, fairness, and accessibility within courts, legal processes, and community justice efforts. This track emphasizes ethical design, social impact, and real-world applicability, especially for communities most affected by systemic inequities.


FOCUS_AREAS:
LAW SOCIOLOGY POLITICAL_SCI CRIMINAL_JUSTICE
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PRIZES

./INFO/PRIZES/
  • GENERAL_PRIZES
  • MLH_SEASON
  • TRACK_CHALLENGES

>> GENERAL_PRIZES

CNT-001
BEST OVERALL
SPARK!
$750
SPONSOR: BU Spark!
PRIZE: Premium Gift Card
DESC: The ultimate recognition for the project demonstrating superior technical execution, exceptional civic impact, and a visionary approach to urban problem-solving.
CNT-002
ORIGINAL RESEARCH
SPARK!
$300
SPONSOR: BU Spark! / Libraries
PRIZE: $300
DESC: Impactful application of data obtained through primary research or collaboration with BU Libraries.
CNT-003
RESPONSIBLE AI
AVANADE
$750
SPONSOR: Avanade
PRIZE: Choice of: Nintendo Switch, Meta Quest 2, Drone, Portable Monitor, Bose Headphones, or Mechanical Keyboard.
DESC: Rewarding the most ethical and responsible use of AI models in a civic context.
CNT-004
OPEN SOURCE AI
RED HAT
$750
SPONSOR: Red Hat
PRIZE: Premium Open Source Developer Kit & Red Hat Exclusive Gear
DESC: Awarded to the team that best uses open-source AI to build a civic impact project.
CNT-005
BLOCKCHAIN CIVIC
ALLIUM
$500
SPONSOR: Allium Labs
PRIZE: Gift Card
DESC: Utilize professional-grade blockchain data for civic-minded applications.

>> MLH_SEASON

MLH-01
BEST USE OF GEMINI API
MLH
Prize Pack
SPONSOR: MLH
PRIZE: Google Swag Kits
DESC: Build a chatbot that gives personalized advice or summarizes complex research papers. Understand language like a human, analyze info like a supercomputer, and generate creative content like code, scripts, music, and more.
MLH-02
BEST USE OF SOLANA
MLH
Prize Pack
SPONSOR: MLH
PRIZE: Ledger Nano S Plus
DESC: Create a game, social app, or consumer product that relies on instant, high-frequency transactions. Build prototypes for sophisticated trading, lending, DEX, supply chain, identity, or payments that can handle massive, real-world volume.
MLH-03
BEST USE OF VULTR
MLH
Prize Pack
SPONSOR: MLH
PRIZE: Portable Screens
DESC: Vultr empowers hackers to bring high-performance projects to life instantly, providing everything from one-click deployment and scalable cloud compute to specialized Vultr Cloud GPUs for AI-driven apps.
MLH-04
BEST USE OF ELEVENLABS
MLH
Prize Pack
SPONSOR: MLH
PRIZE: Wireless Earbuds
DESC: Deploy natural, human-sounding audio with ElevenLabs. Create realistic, dynamic, and emotionally expressive voices for any project.
MLH-05
BEST USE OF MONGODB ATLAS
MLH
Prize Pack
SPONSOR: MLH
PRIZE: M5Stack IoT Kit
DESC: MongoDB Atlas takes the leading modern database and makes it accessible in the cloud.

>> TRACK_CHALLENGES

ECO_HACK

TRK-01
BIG BELLY SUSTAINABILITY PRIZE
BU SUSTAIN!
$300
SPONSOR: BU Sustainability
PRIZE: Owala Bottle + Reusable Utensils
DESC: Analyze BU’s smart Big Belly bin data to improve trash and recycling placement and servicing.
TRK-02
AIR QUALITY DATA VIZ
MISI
$500
SPONSOR: MISI
PRIZE: Cash Gift Card
DESC: Build a community-facing platform that transforms high-frequency air quality data into clear, accessible insights.
TRK-03
FOOD MAPPING OF BOSTON
MISI
$500
SPONSOR: MISI
PRIZE: Cash Gift Card
DESC: Partner with Equitable Food Systems to map and visualize Boston’s food ecosystem.

JUSTICE_HACK

TRK-04
BEST COURTHACK
SPARK!
$500
SPONSOR: BU Spark!
PRIZE: Cash Gift Card
DESC: Using Civera court data for judicial efficiency or transparency.
TRK-05
POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY
SPARK!
$500
SPONSOR: BU Spark!
PRIZE: Cash Gift Card
DESC: Take data from the Boston Police Index and develop tools and analyses that can support community organizations.

EDU_HACK

TRK-06
YOUTHHACK PRIZE
WHEELOCK
$500
SPONSOR: BU Wheelock
PRIZE: Cash Gift Card
DESC: Best project focused on K-12 educational empowerment.
TRK-07
AI TUTOR
WHEELOCK
$500
SPONSOR: BU Wheelock
PRIZE: Mini Projector & Portable Charger
DESC: Focus on a project centered around building an AI-based tutoring platform.

CITY_HACK

TRK-08
INFRASTRUCTURE ANALYTICS
CYVL.AI
$500
SPONSOR: Cyvl.ai
PRIZE: Cash Gift Card
DESC: Use real-world geospatial data (sidewalks, pavement, street infrastructure) from Boston neighborhoods.
TRK-09
GATEWAY CITIES HACK
GBH
$500
SPONSOR: GBH
PRIZE: Cash Gift Card
DESC: Build accessible, data-driven tools that help the public explore life in MA gateway cities by synthesizing fragmented civic data into clear insights.

SPONSORS

AGENDA

Observing Ramadan? We have set aside quiet spaces for prayer and reflection. Accommodations are available for Suhoor and Iftar upon request. Please let a staff member know how we can support you.

SCHEDULE_INIT.exe
09:00
Registration & Breakfast
2ND_FLOOR
10:00
Opening Session
17TH_FLOOR
11:00
Team Formation (Track Immersion)
VARIOUS
11:45
Figma for Civic Prototypes 263
Open Source AI (Red Hat) 264
Blockchain for Impact 262
Prompt Dojo (Cyvl) 164
12:00
HACKING BEGINS!
17TH_FLOOR
12:00
Islamic Prayer #1
RM B63
12:30
Responsible AI Frameworks 262
Claude Code Mob Build 263
Building Chatbots w/ APIs 264
13:30
Lunch + Group Photo
2ND_FLOOR
14:45
Hacking w/ GitHub Copilot 262
Fullstack API Crash Course 264
15:00
Opportunity Expo (Ends 17:00)
2ND_FLOOR
15:00
Islamic Prayer #2
RM B63
16:30
Intro to FastAPI 263
Google AI Studio 262
17:20
Islamic Prayer #3
RM B63
17:30
Iftar Dinner (Observing Only)
TBD
19:00
Dinner
2ND_FLOOR
20:00
Evening Activities (Games/Movie)
VARIOUS
05:30
Pre-fast Meal (Observing Only)
TBD
08:00
Breakfast & Mingling
2ND_FLOOR
10:00
PROJECT SUBMISSIONS DUE
DEVPOST
11:00
Judge Training
TBD
11:30
Project Demos (Expo Style) VARIOUS
Judges will rotate to tables ---
12:00
Islamic Prayer #1
RM B63
13:00
Lunch & Judge Deliberations
2ND_FLOOR
14:45
Closing Ceremony & Awards
17TH_FLOOR
15:00
Islamic Prayer #2
RM B63

FAQ

>> EXECUTE_QUERY_FILTER
_ WAITING FOR INPUT
>> CONSOLE_OUTPUT:
> ./check_experience_req.sh // Do I need experience?

OUTPUT: No! Open to all levels. Mentors/Workshops: AVAILABLE.

> ./init_team_formation.exe // How do I join a team?

OUTPUT: Solo or party mode enabled. Team matching events scheduled.
Discord channel: ACTIVE.

> ./verify_start_time.sh // Can I start early?

NEGATIVE. Projects must start at event launch. Pre-existing projects are not allowed.

> man hackathon // What is a hackathon?

DEFINITION: 24-48h coding sprint.
TARGETS: Apps, IoT, AI, Data.
CRITICAL: No malicious hacking involved.

>> SYSTEM_MSG: RECRUITMENT_PROTOCOL_INIT ID: 0x2A

JOIN_THE_MISSION!

Help guide the next generation of hackers or evaluate their amazing projects.

BE A MENTOR OR JUDGE >>
APPLY_NOW