HACKUNCP
2026
24 hours of innovation, collaboration, and competition at UNC Pembroke.
February 21-22
What is
HackUNCP?
HackUNCP is a premier AI hackathon event bringing together the brightest minds from universities and colleges nationwide to innovate, collaborate, and create transformative solutions. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced developer, HackUNCP is your platform to shine and make a real impact.
24 Hours
Intensive coding sprint focused on AI innovation and development
Diverse Community
Students from universities and colleges across the United States
Recognition & Awards
Outstanding projects receive recognition and exciting opportunities
AI Innovation
Push beyond boundaries with intelligent AI solutions
Competition Tracks
Choose your track and build AI solutions that make a real impact in these critical domains
Design intelligent tutoring systems, automated assessment tools, personalized learning platforms, and educational chatbots that revolutionize how students learn and educators teach.
Create diagnostic AI systems, medical image analysis tools, drug discovery platforms, and patient monitoring solutions that save lives and improve healthcare outcomes globally.
Build climate prediction models, smart energy management systems, waste reduction algorithms, and environmental monitoring solutions that protect our planet for future generations.
Develop threat detection systems, fraud prevention algorithms, network security analyzers, and automated incident response tools that safeguard digital infrastructure worldwide.
Empowering AI Innovation
HackUNCP 2026 brings together passionate students, cutting-edge technology, and real-world challenges. We're challenging participants to break through conventional thinking and explore the limitless potential of AI across education, healthcare, sustainability, and cybersecurity.
Building on our success with AI innovation, we're expanding our vision to welcome graduate students alongside undergraduates, creating a more diverse and dynamic innovation ecosystem that bridges academic learning with real-world impact.
AI@UNCP
Driving AI innovation at UNC Pembroke
Beyond the Boundaries
HackUNCP 2026 is expanding in both scale and scope. For the first time, we're welcoming graduate students alongside undergraduates to push the boundaries of AI innovation across four focused tracks.
Date
24 hours of AI innovation
Location
Pembroke, North Carolina
Community
Including graduate students!
Total Prizes
Amazing rewards await
Event Schedule
Schedule Coming Soon!
We're crafting an amazing schedule packed with workshops, mentorship sessions, and networking opportunities. Stay tuned for the full agenda!
Prizes & Recognition
Amazing prizes and recognition await the most innovative AI solutions. Multiple categories ensure every outstanding project gets the recognition it deserves.
Why Join HackUNCP 2026?
Ready to Innovate with AI?
Applications are now open for HackUNCP 2026! Join us for an incredible weekend of AI innovation, learning, and networking. Don't miss your chance to be part of this transformative experience.
Join Our Mission
Be part of something extraordinary. Help us create the ultimate AI innovation experience and connect with the brightest minds in technology.
Students Nationwide
Hours of Innovation
AI Innovation Tracks
Our Amazing Sponsors
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Sponsors Reveal Coming Soon!
We're partnering with incredible organizations who believe in AI innovation and student success.
Interested in Sponsoring?
Join us in empowering the next generation of AI innovators. Let's create something amazing together and make a lasting impact on the future of technology.
team@hackuncp.orgSPECTACULAR
SPECTACULAR
Last Year Was SPECTACULAR!
HackUNCP 2025 redefined innovation, bringing together visionary minds to create AI solutions that matter
Impact Metrics
Champion Winners
Celebrating extraordinary innovation and creativity
Track Champions
Behind the Excellence
Discover the extraordinary planning and innovation that made HackUNCP 2025 legendary
Global Innovation Network
42 brilliant minds from universities nationwide converged to push AI boundaries
Intensive Innovation Marathon
24 hours of non-stop creativity, coding, and breakthrough moments
Expert Mentorship Ecosystem
5 technical mentors and 20 industry judges providing world-class guidance
Visionary AI Agent Theme
Empowering the Future with Intelligent AI Agents - defining tomorrow's landscape
Knowledge Exchange Sessions
1 keynote tech talk and 2 roundtable discussions fostering innovation
Real-World Impact Focus
Every project integrated AI agents for solving authentic global challenges
HackUNCP 2025 Legacy
Brain.exe
Processing Innovation Since 2026
$ initializing deep learning protocols...
> loading cognitive framework
STATUS: neural network OPERATIONAL
AI@UNCP
AI@UNCP
AI@UNCP
Meet AI@UNCP
The student organization behind HackUNCP, creating opportunities for AI learning and innovation at UNC Pembroke
AI Innovation Community
We bring together students passionate about artificial intelligence through workshops, hackathons, and collaborative projects. Our community creates hands-on learning experiences and builds the next generation of AI innovators.
Ready to explore AI innovation?
Visit AI@UNCP to learn more about their projects, events, and how they're advancing AI education at UNC Pembroke.
Learn More About AI@UNCPFrequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about HackUNCP 2026. Can't find what you're looking for?
Reach out to us directly!
General
A hackathon is an event where individuals or teams collaborate intensively over a short period (usually 24 hours) to create innovative software or hardware projects. It's about rapid prototyping, creativity, and learning new technologies.
HackUNCP is an AI-focused hackathon organized by AI@UNCP, a student-led organization at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. In our second year, we bring together students from across the region for 24 hours of building innovative AI solutions that tackle real challenges in education, healthcare, sustainability, and cybersecurity.
HackUNCP 2026 is expanding beyond boundaries! For the first time, we're welcoming graduate students alongside undergraduates.
HackUNCP is completely free for all participants! We provide free meals, snacks, swag, and access to all workshops and mentorship throughout the 24-hour event.
HackUNCP 2026 is a 24-hour hackathon running from Saturday evening to Sunday evening. This intensive format gives you enough time to build something amazing while keeping the energy and excitement high throughout the event.
Still Have Questions?
Our team is here to help! Reach out to us and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.