International Hackathon on Zoological Research and Innovations

International Hackathon on Zoological Research and Innovations

📅 June 20–22, 2026 | Mode: Online
Organized by: Mastering Up
Convenor: Ms. Suguna B – Co-Founder & CBO, Mastering Up

🧠 1] About the Hackathon

The International Hackathon on Zoological Research and Innovations 2026 invites students, researchers, and innovators from around the world to tackle pressing challenges in animal science, biodiversity, and conservation technology.
This hackathon aims to bridge biological sciences with digital innovation, fostering new tools and solutions that promote wildlife conservation, sustainable ecosystem management, and advanced zoological research.

Participants will explore cutting-edge applications of AI, biotechnology, and data analytics to revolutionize zoological studies and create scalable solutions for real-world environmental and animal welfare issues.

🔍 2] Problem Statements / Tracks

1. Biodiversity Monitoring and Species Identification

Problem: Tracking species diversity and distribution remains a major challenge in conservation biology.
Expected Solution: Develop AI-driven mobile or web applications that use image recognition and data analytics to identify, map, and monitor animal species in real time.

2. Smart Wildlife Tracking Devices

Problem: Many tracking devices are costly, invasive, or limited by short battery life.
Expected Solution: Design low-cost, energy-efficient tracking systems or biosensors for monitoring animal movements and behavior in their natural habitats.

3. Combatting Wildlife Trafficking Using Technology

Problem: Illegal wildlife trade continues to threaten many species globally.
Expected Solution: Create a blockchain- or AI-based digital traceability system for tracking wildlife products and detecting illegal trade patterns.

4. Disease Surveillance in Wild and Domestic Animals

Problem: Emerging zoonotic diseases require early detection mechanisms.
Expected Solution: Develop a digital platform integrating environmental, veterinary, and genetic data for predictive disease surveillance and risk mapping.

5. Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystem Management

Problem: Overfishing and pollution are endangering aquatic biodiversity.
Expected Solution: Build IoT-enabled monitoring systems or AI models to track fish populations, water quality, and habitat health in real time.

6. Animal Behavior Analytics

Problem: Traditional methods for observing animal behavior are time-consuming and subjective.
Expected Solution: Design computer vision-based software for automated behavioral analysis using video feeds from natural or captive environments.

7. Zoo and Captive Animal Welfare Optimization

Problem: Assessing and ensuring animal welfare in captivity lacks standardized digital tools.
Expected Solution: Create a data-driven welfare assessment system that measures health, stress, and habitat enrichment indicators for zoo management.

8. Conservation Education and Public Engagement

Problem: Public awareness and participation in biodiversity conservation remain limited.
Expected Solution: Develop gamified learning platforms, AR/VR experiences, or interactive mobile apps to engage youth and citizens in wildlife conservation.

9. Genetic Data Management for Zoological Research

Problem: Large genetic datasets from zoological studies lack efficient management systems.
Expected Solution: Build secure bioinformatics platforms or databases to store, analyze, and visualize genomic data from different animal species.

10. Individual Innovation Track – “Open Zoology Challenge”

Participants are invited to propose their own unique innovation aligned with zoological research, wildlife conservation, or animal science applications.

🗓️ 3] Event Schedule

👥 4] Eligibility & Participation Rules

• Team Size: 2–4 members

• Open to: Undergraduate, postgraduate students, researchers, and innovators from any discipline related to Zoology, Biology, Biotechnology, Environmental Science, or Technology.

• Code of Conduct:

  • Maintain professionalism and respect.

  • Original ideas only — plagiarism will lead to disqualification.

  • Teams must submit all source files before the final presentation deadline.

🧩 5] Evaluation Criteria

1. Innovation & Creativity – Novelty of the concept and uniqueness of the approach.

2. Practical Application / Social Impact – Real-world usefulness and potential benefits.

3. Technical Implementation – Functionality, design, and technological robustness.

4. Scalability & Feasibility – Ability to scale and sustain in practical settings.

5. Presentation Quality – Clarity, communication, and overall delivery.

🏆 6] Prizes & Recognition

• Top 10 Ideas/Winners: USD 1000 worth of voucher under the “Idea to Startup Scheme” by SUKISH GROUP.

• Top 3 Ideas: Will be shared with leading companies/research organizations for Seed Funding Support, including:

  1. World Wildlife Fund (WWF)

  2. National Geographic Society

  3. Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)

  4. Zoological Society of London (ZSL)

  5. Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)

• Certificates of Participation for all participants.

• Special Category Awards: Innovation Awards under the MU International Awards 2026 Series.

• Showcase Opportunity at relevant MU International Conferences.

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

📝 7] Registration Section

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

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

Deadline for Registration: June 13, 2026

📩 8] Contact Information

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