International Hackathon on Women in STEM and Inclusive Innovation

International Hackathon on Women in STEM and Inclusive Innovation

📅 Dates: October 17–19, 2026
🏢 Mode: Online
👩‍💼 Convenor: Ms. Suguna B – Co-Founder & CBO, Mastering Up
🎯 Organized by: Mastering Up

1] About the Hackathon

The International Hackathon on Women in STEM and Inclusive Innovation 2026 is a global initiative to empower women and underrepresented groups in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). This event seeks to foster inclusive innovation ecosystems where diversity drives creativity, equity, and technological progress.

Participants will collaborate to design inclusive technologies, gender-sensitive digital tools, and STEM engagement platforms that break barriers and promote equality in education, workplaces, and research. The hackathon will spotlight real-world challenges that demand bold, empathetic, and socially impactful solutions to make the world of science and innovation more accessible for all.

2] Problem Statements / Tracks

Track 1: Bridging the Gender Gap in STEM Careers

Problem: Despite progress, women remain underrepresented in advanced STEM roles and leadership positions.
Expected Solution: Develop digital mentorship platforms, AI-based career guidance tools, or analytics dashboards that promote women’s career advancement in STEM.

Track 2: AI for Gender Equity in Research and Hiring

Problem: Hidden biases in hiring and research funding decisions affect inclusivity in STEM.
Expected Solution: Create AI-driven bias detection and mitigation systems for recruitment, funding evaluations, or workplace analytics to ensure fairness.

Track 3: STEM Education Access for Rural and Underprivileged Women

Problem: Lack of resources and support limits STEM participation among women in rural or underserved areas.
Expected Solution: Build low-cost, offline-enabled learning apps, virtual STEM labs, or mentorship networks tailored to women in resource-poor regions.

Track 4: Inclusive Design in Technology and Engineering

Problem: Many technologies are not designed with inclusivity in mind, excluding people based on gender, ability, or access.
Expected Solution: Prototype accessible tech products (hardware or software) that integrate universal design principles for gender and ability inclusivity.

Track 5: Women’s Health Innovation in STEM

Problem: Research on women’s health and biological data remains underdeveloped compared to male-centric studies.
Expected Solution: Design AI-powered health monitoring tools, data analytics platforms, or wearable devices focusing on women’s health, hormones, and wellness.

Track 6: Cybersecurity and Online Safety for Women in Tech

Problem: Online harassment and privacy threats deter women from engaging fully in digital spaces.
Expected Solution: Develop cybersecurity frameworks, reporting tools, or AI-powered monitoring systems ensuring safer digital environments for women.

Track 7: Inclusive Innovation Policy and Data Visualization Tools

Problem: Governments and institutions lack clear visibility into gender participation in STEM innovation ecosystems.
Expected Solution: Create open data dashboards and visualization platforms highlighting gender statistics and suggesting evidence-based inclusivity policies.

Track 8: Assistive Technologies for Women with Disabilities in STEM

Problem: Women with disabilities face double marginalization in education and work.
Expected Solution: Prototype assistive software, adaptive devices, or communication tools to enable their active participation in STEM learning and employment.

Track 9: Promoting Work-Life Balance and Mental Health in STEM Careers

Problem: Women often struggle to balance career progression with family and societal expectations.
Expected Solution: Design AI-based scheduling assistants, wellness apps, or institutional policy frameworks promoting work-life balance and mental well-being.

Track 10: Student Innovation Challenge (Open Theme)

Problem: Open category for creative student-driven projects promoting gender inclusivity or equitable innovation in STEM.
Expected Solution: Novel ideas—apps, AI tools, campaigns, or policy proposals—that foster a culture of inclusion and empowerment in STEM and innovation spaces.

3] Event Schedule (Three-Day)

4] Eligibility & Participation Rules

• Team Size: 2–4 members

• Eligibility: Open to students, professionals, educators, and innovators of all genders committed to diversity and inclusion in STEM.

• Code of Conduct: Respect, collaboration, and ethical participation are mandatory. Discrimination, harassment, or plagiarism will lead to immediate disqualification.

5] Evaluation Criteria

Projects will be judged on:

• Innovation & Creativity – Originality and problem-solving uniqueness.

• Practical Application / Social Impact – Relevance to real-world inclusivity challenges.

• Technical Implementation – Soundness and functionality of the project.

• Scalability & Feasibility – Long-term applicability and resource efficiency.

• Presentation Quality – Clarity, storytelling, and impact of final pitch.

6] Prizes & Recognition

🏆 Top 10 Ideas/Winners:

• USD 1000 Worth of “Idea to Startup Scheme” Voucher by SUKISH GROUP

🥇 Top 3 Ideas:

• Shared with the following organizations for potential Seed Funding and Collaboration:

  1. UN Women

  2. Google for Startups – Women Founders Program

  3. Microsoft Research – AI for Accessibility

  4. WomenTech Network

  5. UNESCO STEM & Gender Advancement Initiative (SAGA)

🎖️ Additional Recognition:

• Certificates of Participation for all teams

• Special Category Innovation Awards at MU International Awards 2026 Series

• Opportunity to showcase winning projects at related MU International Conferences

• All selected ideas will be abstracted and published in the MU International Journal

7] Registration Section

• Indian Team of 4 Members: ₹499
  🔗 Register Here (Indian Teams)

• International Team of 4 Members: USD 50
  🔗 Register Here (Foreign Teams)

• Registration Deadline: October 10, 2026

8] Contact Information

📧 Email: contact@masteringup.com
🌐 Website: www.masteringup.com/events