How to join? – HACK-4-SAGES

WANT TO BECOME A HACK-4-SAGER?

Follow these five steps to apply!

STEP 1: CHOOSE THE CATEGORY IN WHICH YOU WANT TO COMPETE

Digital Twins in origins of life

Digital Twins in life detection and biosignatures

Digital Twins in exoplanet habitability

STEP 2: BUILD A TEAM

Here are the requirements that your team must meet:

It comprises of 2 to 4 people

Each member is a bachelor's or undergraduate student

STEP 3: COME UP WITH A PROJECT PROPOSAL

We will choose 20 teams to compete in each category, so there will be 60 teams in total. To ensure that your team makes it to the actual hackathon, you have to come up with a project proposal that meets the following criteria:

Present in one of the three categories from step 1

Doable in three days

Innovative

We created examples of projects in each category. You can access them by clicking on this link.

STEP 4: REGISTER YOUR TEAM

Select one person from your team to serve as a representative. This person has to fill in this form to register your team.

STEP 5: WAIT FOR OUR DECISION

We will select 60 teams to participate in the main hackathon and announce the results via email on February 23rd, 2026. We will also email the teams that won’t be selected, so there is no need to email us asking about this, as we will inform all teams about the results.

Prizes

There will be one winning team and two honorable mentions in each category. The main prize includes a workshop at ETH Zurich and a presentation slot at the Early Career Day during the Origins Federation Conference (September 2026). Travel and attendance expenses will be covered.

Main prize — winning team

Workshop at ETH Zurich + presentation at the Origins Federation Conference Early Career Day.

Hands-on workshop at ETH Zurich with leading researchers.
Presentation slot at Early Career Day (Origins Federation Conference).
All expenses covered: travel, accommodation, and registration.
Opportunity to network with prominent scientists and distinguished guests.

Honorable mentions (x2)

Recognition for outstanding work with visibility and mentoring opportunities.

Public acknowledgement on event channels and website.
Invitation to mentoring sessions with domain experts.
Possible additional opportunites depending on sponsor support.

Important dates

Nov 202025

Opening of project proposals & Slack community

Kick-off: submit your ideas and join the Slack channel

Dec 122025

Design Thinking workshop

Hands-on session methodology for prototyping and user-centred design.

Dec 162025

Infosession 1

Introductory infosession for participants.

Jan 122026

Infosession 2

Follow-up infosession and Q&A.

Jan 162026

Deadline for submissions

Final date to send your project proposals.

Feb 232026

Announcement of selected teams (email)

Selected teams will be contacted by email.

Mar 22026

Orientation session

Orientation for the selected teams.

Mar 9–132026

Hackathon project days

Main event team work, mentoring & judging.