Last Call! Sign Up for the 2026 Biotech Hackathon

The Center for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (CMBB), within the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, is hosting the second annual Biotech Bridge Hackathon from Friday, Jan. 30 to Sunday, Feb. 1, in the Live Oak Pavilion, Student Union, on the university’s Boca Raton campus.

This year’s theme, “Beat the Clock: Follow Your Mind, Heart and Gut,” will challenge undergraduate and graduate students from all majors to form interdisciplinary teams and collaborate to create cutting-edge solutions to extend the human health span. Students studying in the areas of—but not limited to—molecular biology, biochemistry, environmental chemistry, bioinformatics, computational science, Al/machine learning, medicine, business, arts and neuroscience are encouraged to participate.

Over the course of three days, teams will brainstorm, prototype and pitch solutions that address real-world challenges related to human health, longevity, diagnostics, wellness and biotechnology advancement. Faculty and industry mentors will be available to students to provide guidance and answer questions throughout the event. At the conclusion of the Hackathon, all teams will present their projects to a panel of judges.

“The Hackathon directly aligns with Florida Atlantic’s commitment to experiential learning and workforce readiness,” said Shailaja Allani, Ph.D., director of the CMBB. “Participants benefit from hands-on problem solving, mentorship from faculty and industry professionals, and opportunities to refine technical, analytical and communication skills. Through this immersive format, students learn to translate scientific knowledge into practical, scalable solutions—an increasingly valuable capability in today’s innovation-driven economy.”

Students can sign up to participate either individually or as part of a team. Students who register individually will be assisted by Hackathon mentors to be placed on a team.

This year, Florida Atlantic has partnered with Palm Beach State College for the Hackathon. By engaging students from Palm Beach State College’s STEM programs, the university aims to help expand access to high-impact innovation opportunities, while strengthening regional workforce pipelines.

Teams will compete for cash prizes: First place $1,500; second place $1,000; and third place $500. Additionally, Hackathon participants can receive up to 75 volunteer hours.

Learn more about the 2026 Biotech Bridge Hackathon here.

Register for the event here.