GroundUp Hackathons: Turning CBRNE Innovation into Real-World Impact

Are you passionate about CBRNE innovation and ready to turn ideas into real-world solutions? GroundUp invites students, researchers, and young innovators from across Southern and Central-Eastern Europe to take part in two upcoming hackathons in Serbia and Hungary, organised by Vinca Institute of Nuclear Sciences and Design Terminal.

This is your chance to collaborate across borders and disciplines to develop creative, practical concepts addressing civil challenges in the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive (CBRNE) domains. Whether you’re working on detection systems, digital safety tools, or sustainable decontamination methods, GroundUp offers the space to co-create solutions with real impact.

Who should apply?

We’re looking for people who:

• Want to apply their skills to real-world CBRNE challenges
• Are eager to collaborate across disciplines and countries
• Have innovative ideas, or simply the motivation to build them together

Awards & opportunities

The winning teams will get:

• Research visit to Ireland & Aquila Exposure Programme: a 3–5 day professional visit to Aquila Bioscience, a Galway University spin-out specialising in bio-decontamination technologies
• Access to HUN-REN Energy Research Centre facilities to test and further develop prototypes or sensor-based solutions
• Specialised “General Awareness CBRN Training” delivered by certified experts from the Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences (VINS)

Travel costs will be reimbursed for all participants attending the on-site hackathons.

Hackathon dates & eligibility

Hungarian Hackathon

• Date: March 21st, 2026
• Open to participants from Hungary, Slovakia, Romania, and Slovenia

Serbian Hackathon

• Date: March 28th, 2026
• Open to participants from Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Bulgaria

Apply for the GroundUp Hackathons and turn CBRNE innovation into real-world Impact. Apply here.