Where National Security Meets AI Engineering
- SCSP’s 2026 National Security Technology Hackathon is convening the top AI engineers from across academia, research institutions, the private sector, and the U.S. government.
- Hosted in three locations (San Francisco, DC, and Boston), participants will hack to solve critical problems related to national competitiveness.
- Winners may be eligible to share a pot of $70,000+ in cash prizes and will demo their applications on stage to 20,000+ attendees at the AI+Expo in Washington DC on May 9th.
How It Works
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Step 1Teams of 1-5 people work together to develop a prototype application addressing critical needs in a specific Hackathon track.
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Step 2Initial hacking takes place in three locations: San Francisco, Boston, and Washington, D.C.
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Step 3The top three teams in each track (12 teams total) will have the opportunity to present their demo at the AI+ Expo in Washington, D.C.
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Step 4Participants who qualify to present at the AI+ Expo may be eligible to share $70,000+ in cash prizes:
- First place in each track: $10,000
- Second place in each track: $5,000
- Third place in each track: $2,500
Schedule
Saturday, April 25 and Sunday, April 26, 2026
- When: 10 am on April 25th until 6 pm on April 26th
- Location: SF, DC, Boston (onsite at Hacker spaces)
- What: Teams of between 1-5 individuals will work together to develop a prototype application addressing critical needs.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
- When: 9:00 am to 1:30 pm
- Location: In person at the AI+ Expo, Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, D.C.
- What: Top Teams will compete before a final panel of judges for the top prize in their track as well as presenting their demo on stage during the 2026 AI+ Expo.
Hackathon Tracks
Review all the Hackathon terms and conditions.
FAQs
Who can participate in the Hackathon?
Applicants must be 18 or older on the opening day of the Hackathon, April 25, 2026.
Do I need a team to apply and/or register?
No, you can form a team at the Hackathon or hack solo. Teams can be one to five people.
What should I bring to the Hackathon?
Participants should bring a laptop or computing device.
Is there a registration fee?
No, this is a free event, but you must register by April 24 at 11:59 pm ET to participate in the hackathon.
Will there be any food or beverages?
Yes, there will be light snacks and refreshments.
Do I need to be a coder/ software engineer in order to participate?
No, you can participate on a team as a subject matter expert to advise coders or vibe code your own application.
If my idea doesn’t get selected, can I still go to AI + Expo?
While you won’t be able to demo your idea on stage, you can still attend the AI + Expo in Washington, D.C., as a visitor, May 7-9, 2026. Tickets to Expo are free. Learn more here.
Will transportation and lodging be covered for the Hackathon/ the AI+ Expo in Washington, D.C.?
No, there will be a virtual option for finalist teams that cannot attend in person.
What happens to the intellectual property I develop during the Hackathon?
Participants will retain ownership of their code and IP created during the Hackathon; however, all data, studies, research, software, code, algorithms, models, documentation, prototypes, presentations, and other materials or information developed in whole or in part during the Hackathon must be made freely and broadly available immediately following the Hackathon.
Questions? Connect with us at hack@scsp.ai