MIT Energy & Climate Hack
This November 6th–8th, students from around the world will come to MIT for three days to hack. Now in its 12th year, the MIT Energy & Climate Hack brings together people from every discipline to build fast, creative solutions to real energy and climate problems. This year's theme will be released shortly, so stay tuned! Past sponsors include Google, Commonwealth Fusion Systems, McKinsey Sustainability, Crusoe, Schneider Electric, and more.
Spots for the 2026 Energy and Climate Hack are limited, so fill out your application as soon as you can. We strongly encourage students from all backgrounds, majors, and levels of study (undergraduate, Master, PhD, MBA) to apply. Note: you must be over the age of 18.
Schedule (tentative)
Friday, Nov 6
4:00–6:00 PM: Registration. Check in, pick up your badge, and meet other hackers.
6:00–7:30 PM: Opening Ceremony. Hacker welcome, sponsor talks, and the reveal of this year's challenge statements.
7:30–9:30 PM: Dinner, plus networking and team formation. Haven't found a team yet? Use this time to meet other hackers and form one.
9:30 PM: Deadline to submit your team and challenge preferences.
10:00 PM: Challenge assignments announced.
Saturday, Nov 7: Hacking all day (classrooms open at 7:00 AM)
8:00–10:00 AM: Breakfast
10:00 AM–12:00 PM: Sponsor sessions
12:00–1:00 PM: Professor talk
1:00–2:30 PM: Lunch
2:00–4:00 PM: Sponsor sessions
4:00–5:00 PM: Professor talk
6:00–8:00 PM: Dinner
7:00–9:00 PM: Pitch training
Sunday, Nov 8
8:00–9:30 AM: Breakfast
9:30 AM–12:30 PM: Semi-final judging
12:30–1:30 PM: Lunch and sponsor info sessions
1:30–3:30 PM: Finals. One team per challenge pitches to the final judges.
4:00–4:30 PM: Closing ceremony and announcement of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners
Locations will be shared with accepted hackers before the event.
FAQs
What happens at the Hack?
Companies present real challenges in energy and climate. Participants form teams and spend the weekend working on their assigned challenge. Each team then pitches its solution to judges, and the top team from each challenge advances to the finals. Winners receive prizes.
Do I need to know how to code?
No. Challenges are written for many fields, and the strongest teams usually mix skills: engineering, data, policy, business, and design.
Do I need a team before I apply?
No. You can form a team at the event during Friday night's networking session. Teams can have up to 4 people.
Does it cost anything to attend?
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided throughout the weekend.
Is travel reimbursed?
We will send out an email with more details on how to apply for travel reimbursement if you are accepted into the hackathon.
Where is it?
On MIT's campus in the Great Dome, 222 Memorial Dr, Cambridge, MA 02139. Specific rooms will be shared with accepted participants.
I have another question. Who do I contact?
Email us at mitec_hack@mit.edu.
Photographs and/or videos may be taken over the course of the Energy & Climate Hack. By entering and attending the Hack, you acknowledge and agree that your likeness may be included in photos and videos of the event and used by MIT in connection with communications about the MITEC Hack or in other MIT communications.