The Lemanic Life Sciences Hackathon returns for its third edition, building on the success of the previous year. Organized by the EPFL School of Life Sciences, the EPFL AI Center, and the University of Bern, this event convenes clinicians, life scientists, and data scientists to collaboratively test ideas, foster innovation, and address tangible challenges in healthcare and research. The hackathon is scheduled to take place from April 16-18, 2026, at the EPFL campus in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Event Details
• Dates: April 16-18, 2026
• Location: Hall SV, EPFL Lausanne, Switzerland
• Format: This is a strictly in-person event; online participation is not available.
• Schedule: The event runs from 9:00 to 21:00 on Thursday and Friday. On Saturday, teams will finalize their work in the morning, with project pitches and awards taking place from 11:00 to 14:00.
• Capacity: The event is limited to a maximum of 120 participants.
Hackathon Objectives
• Explore Potential: Investigate the untapped applications of AI in life sciences and clinical research.
• Leverage Data: Promote the reuse and sharing of valuable existing biological datasets for greater impact.
• Foster Innovation: Encourage novel data analysis approaches to solve biological and clinical challenges.
• Develop Skills: Empower the next generation of scientists with practical, hands-on data science skills.
• Build Collaborations: Forge interdisciplinary partnerships between clinicians, scientists, and data experts.
• Strengthen Ecosystem: Enhance the regional innovation landscape through lasting institutional collaborations.
• Connect Talent: Match individuals who have ideas with those who have relevant data and skills to initiate impactful projects.
Participant Experience
• Immersive Innovation: Participants will spend three days in a collaborative atmosphere developing solutions.
• Project Pitches and Awards: Project leaders will present their ideas, and teams will present their outcomes for a chance to win prizes.
• Expert Mentorship: Access to guidance from experienced professionals in life sciences, clinical research, and AI.
• Keynote Speakers: Presentations from industry and academic leaders on the convergence of healthcare and AI.
Participant Information
• Registration: Registration is free but mandatory for all attendees.
• Registration Deadline: The final day to register is March 23, 2026.
• Sign-Up Process: Participants must register individually. During the process, they can indicate a preference to team up with up to two other colleagues. Organizers will form final interdisciplinary teams to ensure a balance of skills.
• Project Selection: Detailed project descriptions will be shared exclusively with registered participants, who will then receive a follow-up email to indicate their project preferences.
• Skill Level: Individuals of all skill levels, including beginners, are welcome, as hackathons provide an excellent opportunity for hands-on learning.
• Provisions: Food and drinks will be provided throughout the three-day event.
• Travel and Accommodation: Participants are responsible for arranging and covering all their travel and accommodation expenses.
Project Submission Guidelines
• Call for Projects: Proposals for data-science-driven projects are being sought from hospitals, companies, and academic groups. Up to 20 projects will be selected.
• Key Requirements: Project submissions must meet three criteria: data must be available for use during the hackathon, all code developed must be publicly released, and a project representative must be available to support the team throughout the event.
• Submission Inquiries: Project ideas can be submitted via the provided link. For specific questions, contact Alexander Mathis. The organizers welcome clinical questions, biological datasets, and computational challenges that can be addressed with AI and coding.
Organizing Committee
• Academic Committee: Prof. Alexander Mathis (EPFL School of Life Sciences), Prof. Gioele La Manno (EPFL School of Life Sciences), and Prof. Raphaëlle Luisier (University of Bern).
• Logistics and Organization: Eva Schier (EPFL School of Life Sciences) and Nicolas Machado (EPFL AI Center).
This hackathon offers a unique opportunity for students, researchers, and professionals to network, learn new data science techniques, and gain hands-on experience by contributing to impactful life sciences challenges. Interested parties can find more details and registration information on the official EPFL Lemanic Life Sciences Hackathon 2026 website.