CISPA European Cybersecurity & AI Hackathon Championship
CISPA, one of Europe’s leading research centers in cybersecurity and AI, is launching this initiative to strengthen Europe’s position as a global hub for digital excellence. This bold initiative invests in the next generation of researchers by promoting cybersecurity skills, fostering interest in AI, and raising awareness of the need for trustworthy technologies. Through a Europe-wide series of regional competitions in France, Austria, Sweden, Spain, and Poland, the Championship brings together young talent from across the continent to develop the skills and capacities needed to address our grand challenges in cybersecurity and AI. By inspiring collaboration and innovation, CISPA is helping to create Europe’s future AI workforce and laying the foundation for a secure digital future.
Interested in Cybersecurity, AI and hacking? Then get ready for the first "CISPA European Cybersecurity & AI Hackathon Championship". We are looking forward to meet the next generation of young talents in Cybersecurity and AI. The registration for all locations is already open. We’re kicking off in Paris. You can find more information under "Registration".
Cybersecurity is being redefined by Artificial Intelligence—and the next generation of innovators will shape how we secure our digital world. As AI becomes embedded in everything from healthcare to critical infrastructure, the ability to both secure AI systems and use AI for security has become one of the most urgent challenges of our time.
Europe must lead the way—and that starts with talent.
The CISPA European Cybersecurity & AI Hackathon Championship is your chance to be part of that future. Through regional hackathons across Europe, we’re bringing together the brightest students to solve hands-on challenges at the cutting edge of AI and cybersecurity. Each event builds up to a high-stakes Grand Finale at CISPA’s home St. Ingbert, Germany, where the top teams will compete for prizes—and the opportunity to collaborate with world-class researchers.
This isn’t just a competition. It’s a launchpad for your career in research and a movement to build a pan-European community of scientists fluent in both cybersecurity and AI. Whether you’re driven by curiosity, innovation, or the desire to make real impact—this is your moment to lead.
Join us and help shape a secure digital Europe.
The CISPA European Cybersecurity & AI Hackathon Championship kicks off with five regional rounds hosted in major cities across Europe. Each regional event is a 24-hour weekend hackathon, bringing together up to 200 Bachelor’s and Master’s students as well as doctoral candidates ready to take on cutting-edge challenges.
After 24 hours of intense coding and collaboration, the top-ranked teams will pitch their solutions to a jury of experts. The winning team from each region will earn a spot in the Grand Finale at CISPA’s home in St. Ingbert, Germany—with travel and accommodation fully covered.
1st place – certificate plus entry into the final, including travel and accommodation
2nd place – certificate plus entry into the final, including travel and accommodation
3rd place – certificate plus entry into the final, including travel and accommodation
runner-up – certificate
1st place – cash prize of 4000€, certificate and trophies
2nd place – cash prize of 2000€, plus certificate
3rd place – cash prize of 1200€, plus certificate
Runner-up prizes– cash prize of 400€ plus certificate
Paris & Co
La Grande Arche
1 Parv. de la Défense, 92800 Puteaux, Frankreich
Universität Wien
Universitätsring 1, 1010 Wien, Österreich
KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm
Brinellvägen 8, 114 28 Stockholm, Schweden
TecnoCampus
Park TecnoCampus Mataró-Maresme,
Carrer de Ernest Lluch, 32, 08302 Mataró, Barcelona, Spain
Warsaw University of Technology
Plac Politechniki 1, 00-661 Warszawa, Polen
Are you a Bachelor’s or Master’s student or doctoral candidate passionate about AI, cybersecurity, or both? Grab your teammates and get ready to compete in one of the most exciting student hackathons in Europe.
Each team member must register separately—but make sure your team is set before signing up. Spots are limited, so don’t wait too long! Participants will be notified of successful registration two weeks before the event. Participants must be at least 18 years old and study and live in Europe.
Are you excited about the future of technology? Do you want to challenge yourself and make a real impact? Then don’t miss our upcoming Championship! This is your chance to dive into the captivating world of AI and cybersecurity. Work on fascinating, real-world tasks and broaden your knowledge with us. As technology continues to shape our world, expertise in AI and cybersecurity will be more valuable than ever.
The Championship is more than a hackathon—it is a strategic movement aimed at securing Europe’s AI future by identifying and supporting the next generation of cybersecurity and trustworthy AI talent.
This new initiative is about empowering young scientists to rise to the defining technological challenge of our time. Through this initiative, we are building a pan-European community fluent in both AI and cybersecurity—one that values collaboration, innovation, and digital resilience.
If you have further questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.
hackathon.championship@cispa.de
Only students (minimum age 18) and doctoral candidates registered and studying at colleges and universities within the EU are eligible to participate.
Yes, participation is free of charge, but the number of places is limited and there is no entitlement to participation.
Selection is based on academic suitability, eligible age, and eligible location of study/residence. Applications that do not meet the basic requirements will not be considered.
On-site registration requires photo identification. Name badges or other identification issued must not be passed on to third parties.
No costs incurred by participants as a result of participation (e.g., travel or accommodation costs) will be reimbursed. Special rules apply for the Grand Finale; these will be communicated to qualified participants.
Participants must bring their own laptops and chargers. Three meals will be provided during the event, but we recommend bringing your own drinks and snacks for the breaks in between.
