National Student Research Institute
A five-day sprint from question to research paper.
This 5 day virtual research sprint, hosted by NSRI in collaboration with The Insilico Lab and YRI, will take place from July 13 to 18, 2026.
Collaborators
Built with research communities
NSRI is hosting this sprint in collaboration with partners helping students access mentorship, tools, and research pathways.
The Insilico Lab
Supporting student research at the intersection of life sciences, computing, and scientific discovery.
YRI
Helping connect young researchers with opportunities to learn, collaborate, and publish stronger work.
Event Overview
How the five days work
Five days, run entirely online, built for teams who are doing this for the first time.
Format & schedule
- DatesJuly 13 to 18, 2026 (5 days)
- FormatFully virtual - all participation is remote
- Time zoneAll deadlines anchored to Eastern Standard Time (EST)
- Submission deadlineJuly 18, 11:59 PM EST
- Grand FinaleJuly 25, 2026 - live presentations by the top 25 teams
Who can join
Open to students worldwide, primarily high schoolers and undergraduates.
Register on your own and we'll match you with a team, or arrive with your own team of one to four members at the start of the event. No prior research experience is required - this is designed as an introduction to research methodology and academic writing.
Research Categories
Six categories, one challenge format
Pick the category closest to your curiosity. Every category welcomes interdisciplinary approaches and innovative angles.
Health and Life Sciences
Biology, medicine, public health, neuroscience, biotechnology, and clinical research.
AI, Data Science, and Computing
Machine learning, data analysis, software systems, computational modeling, and human-computer interaction.
Engineering and Technology
Robotics, devices, materials engineering, systems design, and applied innovation.
Physical and Chemical Sciences
Chemistry, physics, astronomy, materials science, and laboratory or theoretical research.
Environmental and Earth Sciences
Climate, sustainability, ecology, geology, conservation, and planetary systems.
Social Sciences, Humanities, and Policy
Sociology, education, economics, history, ethics, governance, and international relations.
Judging Process
Two rounds, three outcomes
Every submission is read. Only the strongest move forward at each stage.
Initial Screening
A first panel reviews every submission and scores it against the official rubric. The top 100 teams advance.
Expert Review
A panel of PhD-level judges and industry experts evaluates the top 100 submissions in depth, selecting the top 25 teams.
Grand Finale
The top 25 teams present their research live by video conference. A final panel determines the top five placements.
Evaluation criteria
Submissions are scored across four equally weighted categories - 30 points each, 120 points total.
AI policy. AI-assisted tools are permitted for drafting and research, provided the final submission reflects original critical thinking and analysis. All submissions undergo integrity review.
Prizes & Recognition
Baseline prize pool: $1,000
The prize pool may increase depending on total participant registration.
Every top-100 team receives detailed scorecard feedback on their submission - win or not.
Winners are featured on NSRI's website and social channels, reaching a community of 16,000+ researchers.
Registration
Built to be affordable, worldwide
Our last hackathon charged $30 to register - and we watched that fee quietly price out students outside the US. This year's pricing is set to cover platform and prize costs, not to gatekeep who gets to do research.
The lowest entry point - register before the deadline to lock in this rate.
Standard registration rate for anyone joining after the Early Bird window.
NSRI is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Fees fund event operations, prizes, and platform costs.
Timeline
June 18 – July 31, 2026
Early Bird registration
$10 individual rate.
Regular registration
$15 individual rate.
Hackathon begins
Opening ceremony and track assignments.
Submissions due
11:59 PM EST.
Phase 1 - Initial screening
Top 100 teams selected.
Phase 2 - Expert review
Top 25 teams selected.
Grand Finale
Live presentations, winners announced.
Wrap-up
Prize distribution, feedback delivery, post-event report.
How It Runs
The tools behind the sprint
Team coordination
Once teams are formed, you'll coordinate directly over whatever channel you already use - WhatsApp, Discord, or email.
Live sessions
The opening ceremony, mentorship sessions, and the Grand Finale all run on Zoom, with links sent to every registered participant.
Submissions
Teams submit one PDF research paper through a shared Google Form. Tech tracks are encouraged to add a GitHub repo and a three-minute video walkthrough.
Support
A dedicated inbox stays open for the full event for technical issues, rule questions, and anything else that comes up.
About NSRI
Research shouldn't depend on your zip code
The National Student Research Institute (NSRI) is a student-governed 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to democratizing access to research opportunities for students worldwide.
Founded on the belief that research experience shouldn't be limited by geography, institution, or background, NSRI has built a global community of 16,000+ aspiring researchers across more than 40 countries - through research challenges, webinars, and training programs designed and run by students who understand the barriers firsthand.
Students to the research process through accessible, structured events.
Portfolio-worthy research projects for college and career applications.
Emerging student talent with mentorship, publication opportunities, and professional networks.