Applied analytics
Ahunna Theresa Ike-Njoku
Columbia M.S. in Applied Analytics, Emerging Technologies concentration. Previously at BCG and UBS; Engineering Emerging Leader at Goldman Sachs.
National Student Research Institute
A five-day sprint from question to research paper.
This 5 day virtual research sprint, hosted by NSRI with research collaborators, track partners, and confirmed judges, will take place from July 13 to 18, 2026.
In collaboration with
The Insilico Lab
YRI Fellowship
Partners
Track partners and research communities
NSRI is hosting this sprint with organizations and student-led research communities supporting mentorship, track expertise, and participant pathways.
Research collaborator
The Insilico Lab
Supporting student research across biotechnology, computational discovery, and life sciences innovation.
Physics and chemistry
YRI Fellowship
Helping young researchers build rigorous work in the physical sciences and publish stronger projects.
Economics and finance
FinanceMeta
The Insilico Lab
Powering work in markets, policy, capital, behavioral economics, and financial analysis.
Economics and finance
The BU1LD
Supporting builders exploring market systems, venture thinking, and applied finance research.
Technology and AI
ColdMatch
Supporting technology and artificial intelligence tracks across ML, NLP, systems, and applied products.
Technology and AI
Quanticle
Powering AI-focused research in machine learning, computer vision, automation, and analytics.
Environmental sciences
GABA
Supporting climate, sustainability, conservation, and applied environmental science work.
Society and policy
Minorities in STEM
Supporting research on society, ethics, global issues, humanities, and inclusive STEM pathways.
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. Each track welcomes interdisciplinary approaches and is shaped with support from relevant partners.
Healthcare and Biotechnology
Drug design, ADMET, docking, molecular dynamics, AI in discovery, medicine, and biotechnology.
Supported by The Insilico LabEconomics and Finance
Markets, policy, behavioral economics, capital analysis, financial systems, and applied research.
Powered by FinanceMeta and The BU1LDTechnology and Artificial Intelligence
Machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, systems, data products, and applied AI.
Powered by ColdMatch and QuanticlePhysics and Chemistry
Chemistry, physics, materials science, theoretical modeling, laboratory methods, and scientific analysis.
Powered by YRI FellowshipEnvironmental Sciences
Climate, sustainability, conservation, ecology, environmental systems, and applied resilience research.
Powered by GABASocial Sciences, Humanities, and Policy
Society, ethics, global issues, governance, history, education, international relations, and public policy.
Powered by Minorities in STEMJudging Process
Two rounds, three outcomes
Every submission is read. Only the strongest move forward at each stage.
01Jul 20–22
Initial Screening
A first panel reviews every submission and scores it against the official rubric. The top 100 teams advance.
02Jul 23–24
Expert Review
A panel of PhD-level judges and industry experts evaluates the top 100 submissions in depth, selecting the top 25 teams.
03Jul 25
Grand Finale
The top 25 teams present their research live by video conference. A final panel determines the top five placements.
Confirmed Judges
Review panel
A multidisciplinary panel with experience across analytics, AI, medicine, finance, policy, and student research.
Neuroscience research
Anvit Divekar
Research experience with Harvard, Brown, and Emory. Founder of Organ Access Initiative and neuroscience student at Georgia Tech.
AI/ML research
Shanmuka Gottimukkala
USACO Gold, published researcher, and MIT Critical Data x NSRI lead researcher. Team Lead SWE Intern at STEM-E and NSRI Global Finance Officer.
STEM leadership
Rhythm Bazari
Founder of Minorities in STEM, focused on student-led STEM communities, service initiatives, and inclusive leadership.
Markets and analytics
Surya Radhakrishnan
Junior at Tom Glenn High School, FP&A intern, founder of Deal Room, and builder across markets, capital, and analytics.
Law and policy
Adya Gupta
Student and aspiring lawyer focused on human rights, debate, Model UN, public speaking, leadership, and research.
Research judge
Piyush Kolekar
Confirmed judge for the Summer Research Hackathon 2026. Additional profile details forthcoming.
Confirmed judge
Madhav Arora
Confirmed judge for the Summer Research Hackathon 2026. Additional profile details forthcoming.
ML research
Ryan Gomez
ML researcher affiliated with Stanford and MIT, Lead Researcher at Synthica, and founder of BU1LD Labs and VertexED.ai, backed by Microsoft.
Clinical research
Dr. Balraj Shukla
Pediatric dentist, clinical academic, and sports journalist bringing medical and communication experience to the review process.
Machine learning
Serhii Nechyporchuk
Founding Machine Learning Engineer at Cascading AI and previously at Journey (YC W21), with early-stage AI systems experience.
Engineering and finance
Keyaan Merchant
Student-athlete at Chattahoochee High School and NYRJ co-founder/head editor, with interests in engineering, finance, and music.
Chemistry and aerospace
Ayat Mirha
National Chemistry Olympiad NCTC-21 Top 13, BIEK Top 12, BSEK Top 10, BeQu'26, NYAS, GWG co-founder, LGIC ambassador, and aerospace/engineering finalist.
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.
1st
$600
2nd
$300
3rd
$100
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.
Early Bird · Individual
$10
Closes June 30, 2026
The lowest entry point - register before the deadline to lock in this rate.
Regular · Individual
$15
July 1 – July 10, 2026
Standard registration rate for anyone joining after the Early Bird window.
Start your registration
NSRI is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Fees fund event operations, prizes, and platform costs.
Timeline
June 18 – July 31, 2026
Jun 18 – 30
Early Bird registration
$10 individual rate.
Jul 1 – 10
Regular registration
$15 individual rate.
Jul 13
Hackathon begins
Opening ceremony and track assignments.
Jul 18
Submissions due
11:59 PM EST.
Jul 20 – 22
Phase 1 - Initial screening
Top 100 teams selected.
Jul 23 – 24
Phase 2 - Expert review
Top 25 teams selected.
Jul 25
Grand Finale
Live presentations, winners announced.
Jul 26 – 31
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.
Introduce
Students to the research process through accessible, structured events.
Build
Portfolio-worthy research projects for college and career applications.
Connect
Emerging student talent with mentorship, publication opportunities, and professional networks.
For all inquiries, or to schedule a call: Smyan Reddy, COO, NSRI - nsrinstitution@gmail.com
16,000+
Researchers in NSRI's global community
40+
Countries represented
900+
Participants in NSRI's last research hackathon