Meta Global AI Developer Hackathon 2026

About

A virtual, worldwide 10-day hackathon from 26 October to 9 November 2026 where developers build projects with Meta's newest AI models across indie and startup tracks for a share of $1,000,000 in prizes.

Benefits

• 🏆$1,000,000 total prize pool
  A total of $1,000,000 in cash prizes is available across the indie and startup tracks, with winners selected through judging.
• 💳$150 in Meta Model API credits
  Every selected participant receives $150 in Meta Model API credits.
• 🤖Access to Meta's newest AI models
  Selected participants can build with Meta's newest models, including the Muse Spark series, Muse Image, SAM 3.1 through Meta Model API, and Meta open-weights models.
• 🧑‍🏫Workshops and office hours
  Participants can join live workshops from Meta and partners and office hours on Discord during the hackathon.

Eligibility Criteria

• Open worldwide except in countries where local law prohibits participation or the receipt of an award, and void where prohibited by law.
• Not eligible if the individual or organization is the target of U.S., EU, United Nations, or UK trade sanctions or export control restrictions; acting on behalf of anyone else who is such a target; or organized or located in Belarus, China, Russia, Ukraine, Syria, or any country or region subject to comprehensive economic or financial sanctions, including the Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk regions of Ukraine, Cuba, North Korea, and Iran.
• Employees, contractors, and interns of Meta and Cerebral Valley, government-affiliated individuals, their immediate family members, and individuals living in the same household as such individuals are not eligible.
• Participation is limited to a maximum of 20,000 accepted applicants on a rolling basis; duplicate applications, false identity information, or spam may be disqualified.
• Applicants must enter one track: the indie track for individual builders and students, or the startup track for teams and founders building a real product.
• Applicants should showcase their technical skills in the application form; project idea clarity and feasibility and technical skill are reviewed equally.
• Links to GitHub, LinkedIn, or a shipped product help verify experience and skill but are not required.

Participation Commitments

• Applications open on 13 October 2026 at 9:00 AM ET and are reviewed on a rolling basis.
• The application deadline is 25 October 2026 at 11:59 PM ET, or earlier if all 20,000 participant spots are filled.
• Selected participants must accept the Official Rules, which will be published before the hackathon begins on 26 October 2026.
• The hackathon begins on 26 October 2026 with a kickoff livestream.
• Live workshops from Meta and partners and Discord office hours are scheduled from 27 October to 4 November 2026.
• Project submissions are due by 4 November 2026 at 9:00 PM ET.
• Judging takes place from 4 November to 8 November 2026.
• The closing ceremony with live finals and winners is on 9 November 2026.
• The hackathon is free to enter if selected.
• Dates may be subject to change at Meta's sole discretion, with changes posted on the official page.

Target Region

Open worldwide except in countries where local law prohibits participation or the receipt of an award, and void where prohibited by law; not eligible if the individual or organization is organized or located in Belarus, China, Russia, Ukraine, Syria, or any country or region subject to comprehensive economic or financial sanctions, including the Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk regions of Ukraine, Cuba, North Korea, and Iran.

Target Sector

Agriculture & Food, Defense & Security, Education, Energy & Utilities, Financial Services, Government & Public Sector, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Manufacturing, Media & Entertainment, Real Estate & Construction, Retail & Consumer, Semiconductors & Electronics, Sports & Fitness, Telecommunications, Transportation & Logistics, Travel & Hospitality, Other