FAQs

The UAE Hackathon is part of the innovative initiatives launched by The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA). Several government agencies participate in the UAE Hackathon. This includes local digital and electronic governments, a number of federal and local government agencies, and the private sector.

This is a hybrid version, includes virtual mentorship and technical sessions as well as 7 physical hackathons in the 7 emirates to provide innovators from all over the UAE to participate in developing solutions for the proposed challenges.

The Hackathon comprises 7 hackathons for all tracks except for the researchers track, as follows: Abu Dhabi Hackathon: February 13 -14; Ajman Hackathon: February 14 - 15; Sharjah Hackathon: February 15 - 16; Ras Al Khaimah Hackathon: February 20 -21; Umm Al Quwain Hackathon: February 21 - 22; Fujairah Hackathon: February 22 -23; Dubai Hackathon: February 27 - 28 As for the Researchers track, the hackathon will be held separately throughout February. You can find out all the details of the hackathon locations on the (Hackathon Journey) page (https://hackathon.ae/en/Journey).

A new track is launched for early-career researchers as well as experts working on interdisciplinary applied research which must be affiliated with and funded by a university in UAE. We tailored a Technical Support and Incubation program for the winning ideas from the following tracks: University Students - Experts & Entrepreneurs - Researchers, from March to October. By the end of this program, they will be able to present their professional projects at GITEX 2023 in Dubai.

Anyone residing in the UAE and having a valid Emirates ID can participate in the UAE Hackathon. Registration is open for all the UAE citizens from students, makers, employees, entrepreneurs, researchers, creators, and any citizen has the ability to innovate and develop creative flexible ideas. Participants should join one of these tracks according to their qualifications School Students track, University Students track, Entrepreneurs, Experts, & Employees track, and Researchers track

Yes. This year we divided the participants into 4 tracks, but that does not preclude that anyone residing in the UAE and having a valid Emirates ID can participate in the UAE Hackathon. While registration, participants should choose one of these tracks: School Students, University Students, Entrepreneurs, Experts, & Employees or Researchers.

School Students Track: for students who are between 11 to 18 years old who haven't enrolled in university. University Students Track: for students who are between 18 to 25 years old or slightly older who don't have long-term work experience yet. Entrepreneurs, Experts, & Employees Track: for participants who have work experience in a specific field or a start-up in the launching stage. Researchers Track: This segment targets early-career researchers as well as experts working on interdisciplinary applied research which must be affiliated with and funded by a university in UAE.

January 31: Press Conference and Opening the Registration, February 1 - 10: Virtual Mentorship and Training Phase, February 13 - 28: 2-day Emirates Hackathons, February 24: Researchers Ideas Submission Deadline, February 28: Researchers Track Evaluation Day, March 7: Closing Ceremony and announcing winners who are eligible to the After support and investment phase, March 13 - May 8: Accelerating Program for Researchers Track Shortlisted Teams, May 10 - 12: Research Track shortlisted Teams Demo at GITEX Impact Winner Announcement, March 13 - October 1: Support Program for University Students and Entrepreneurs Track winners with Incubation Centers, October 16 - 20: Teams Demo at GITEX 2023

For School, University, & Experts Tracks: ideas submission will be by the end of the 1st day of each Hackathon, while their judging will be on the 2nd day. For Researchers Track: Ideas submission will be on the 24th of February, while the judging day will be on the 28th of February.

Participation in teams is open to those having a valid Emirates ID.

No, unfortunately we will not be offering online participation or training for team members based outside of the UAE.

All that is required is that you are interested in understanding or using open data to help address a challenge related to one of the topics. You do not need specific technical skills to participate.

No specific technical skills needed. If you would like to attend technical training, these will be available during the hackathon.

Successful teams will most likely have about 3 to 5 members, but you are welcome to contact us if you fall outside this range. If you do not have a team, please register and we will connect you with a team looking for members.

Visit the Hackathon website then click on register, then sign up with UAEPASS o Select the track you belong to from the following: School Students, University Students, Startups, Entrepreneurs & Employees, Researchers . Select the theme that you are interested in, Select the challenge that you will work on its solution, Fill your information, and sign in to use the Hackathon platform.

You can register either in English or Arabic.

Yes. You have to choose one of the themes and present your idea according to the challenges proposed in it.

This year we are focusing on the 5 Government Priorities to present the challenges of the governmental institutions in order to develop innovative solutions to the UAE’s vital files: 1. We the UAE 2031 2. Establishing and consolidating the national identity 3. Environment and sustainability 4.Developing the educational system, vision, indicators and outputs 5. Accelerating Emiratisation 6.Expanding the UAE’s international economic partnerships

The Hackathon’s themes are intersecting with several fields of the emerging technologies, as follows: 1- Internet of Things 2- Big Data & Data Analysis 3- Artificial Intelligence 4- Blockchain 5- Intelligent Chatbot 6- Augmented Reality 7- 3D/4D Printings, & Other Trending Technologies

You can apply individually or with a team. However, it is highly recommended to join as a team.

Yes. Submission is editable, you can edit or resubmit your data.

No. Most locations encourage diverse teams but all have the option for participants to apply with or request to join female/male segregated teams.

It’ll be announced soon. Keep following our social media channels of (TDRAuae) to know.

At the Registration phase, you should read the challenges well, choose one, and work on the idea with your team. During the Mentorship & Training phase, you should choose a suitable quiet place to attend the session, prepare your laptop, and prepare your papers and pens. check the hackathon locations in each emirate and visit the one near to you with your team members to work on the idea and present it to the evaluation committee.

As the working hours and the participants' time are one of our concerns, the time of participation is 4 to 6 hour per day divided on online and recorded sessions.

Yes. There will be technology sessions and business sessions presented by various mentors at the technology fields as well as business experts, in addition to international experts and influencers in these technology and business areas. Also, there will be a Technical Support & Incubation Program for the winners which by its end, they will present the projects at GITEX globaltech show in Dubai.

This depends on the track: For School Students track, a well-defined idea or blueprint concept would be acceptable.; For University Students track, we expect students to have a low-fidelity prototype.; For Entrepreneurs, Experts, & Employees Track, we expect participants to have a high-fidelity prototype.; Researchers Track, should submit a short technical proposal describing their proposed solution to the targeted challenge.

At the end of the hackathon, the participants will present their ideas or prototypes and these presentations will be recorded. A jury of prestigious judges will evaluate the presentations and final selections will be announced at the closing ceremony on the 7th of March.

Prizes will be awarded during the closing ceremony on the 7th of March

Winners will receive valuable prizes, as follows: School Students Track: • 1st Place: 10,000 AED • 2nd Place: 8,000 AED • 3rd Place: 4,000 AED / University Students Track: • 1st Place: 25,000 AED • 2nd Place: 15,000 AED • 3rd Place: 10,000 AED / Entrepreneurs, Experts, & Employees Track: • 1st Place: 50,000 AED • 2nd Place: 30,000 AED • 3rd Place: 20,000 AED / Researchers Track Winner: 100,000 AED **25 % of (University Track & Startup Track) Winners prizes will be shared with the incubation center once they join to work on their project. Prizes will be distributed after the team completes the incubation period and fulfills the requirements.

All participants will receive a certificate celebrating their contribution. A selected number of participants will receive an internship from the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA). While the winners will receive a support program for the value of the award in the incubation and support centers that have been agreed upon.

Hackathons are meant for collaboration in a creative, open and transparent way to solve large challenges. As part of that, the work done in hackathons is generally provided openly and the quick timing precludes any lengthy legal procedures. We encourage teams to look at the Creative Commons licenses if they are interested in retaining intellectual ownership or acknowledgement of their work. Most often, hackathon teams choose the CC By or CC By-SA license.

After registering your team and choosing the challenge you want, the links of mentorship sessions will be available on the website and you will receive an email before each mentorship session. The sessions will be aired on Zoom and Slack apps.

If you faced any problem, you you can contact us through our email hackathon@tdra.gov.ae

Each track will have a different judging panel appropriate to the nature of the track participants, their qualifications and the level of expected results. Projects will be evaluated according to some elements, which identify the best innovative idea that can be transformed into a start-up project. 15% Data Utilization; 15% Solution Quality & Usability (UX/UI); 20% Innovation & Creativity; 20% Technology Usage & Maturity; 30% Longevity and Sustainability

Projects will be evaluated according to some elements, which identify the best innovative idea that can be transformed into a start-up project. 20% Quality of Research; 15% Relevance; 15% Originality; 15% Execution & Feasibility; 20% Impact; 15% Potential for Scalability

The UAE Hackathon doesn’t own the ideas, but it should be noted that it isn’t possible to protect any idea in itself, only the successful implementation of your idea ensures that it will not be stolen or applied by others.